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Erratic trackpad and keyboard going crazy

I am having major problems with Bluetooth connected trackpad and keyboard.


For no reason that I could identify so far, the trackpad will suddenly start to act up, moving erratically, as if connection was on and off every few seconds. And then it will stop responding. The keyboard is also acting up. Symptoms include key presses that seem to stick. For instance, command tab just circling the open applications long after I have pulled my fingers of the keyboard. The it also stops responding.


I seem to have tried every trick in the book. Including the Apple recommended solutions to Bluetooth problems.


I have:

- trashed the Bluetooth preference file

- deleted both the trackpad and keyboard from the Bluetooth preference pane, turning them off before restart, and turning them on again

- disconnected USB hubs and hard drives

- reset the PRAM and power management system

- reinstalled the whole system from scratch


Still the problem remains. Anything else I should try? Any other solution?

Thanks!

iMac (27-inch, Late 2012), OS X Mavericks (10.9), 3Tb Fusion, custom top CPU & GPU

Posted on Jan 13, 2015 5:42 PM

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1 reply

Jan 13, 2015 11:20 PM in response to mahatma

There are several possible causes for this issue. Please take each of the following steps that you haven't already tried until it's resolved. Some may not apply in your case.

1. Follow the instructions in this support article, and also this one, if applicable. A damaged or defective AC adapter could be the cause, even if it's the right kind.

2. Press down all four corners of the trackpad at once and release. If there's any effect, it's likely to be temporary, and in that case the unit must be serviced or replaced.

3. Open the Bluetooth preference pane in System Preferences and delete all pointing devices other than the trackpad, if applicable. Disconnect any USB pointing devices. By a "pointing device," I mean a peripheral that moves the cursor, such as a trackpad, mouse, trackball, or graphics tablet. A plain keyboard is not a pointing device.

4. Start up in safe mode and test, preferably without launching any third-party applications. If you don't have the problem in safe mode, but it comes back when you restart as usual, stop here and post your results. Do the same if you can't start in safe mode. If there was no difference in safe mode, go on to the next step.

5. Reset the System Management Controller.

6. If you're using a Bluetooth trackpad or mouse, investigate potential sources of interference, including USB 3 devices.

7. A swollen battery in a portable computer can impinge on the trackpad from below and cause erratic behavior. If you have trouble clicking the trackpad, this is likely the reason. The battery must be replaced without delay.

8. A defective peripheral device or a damaged cable can cause the built-in trackpad of a MacBook to behave erratically. If you're using any wired peripherals, disconnect them one at a time and test.

9. There's also a report of erratic cursor movements caused by an external display that was connected but not turned on.

10. If none of the above applies, or if you have another reason to think that your computer is being remotely controlled, remove it from the network by turning off Wi-Fi (or your Wi-Fi access point), disconnecting from a Bluetooth network link, and unplugging the Ethernet cable or USB modem, whichever is applicable. If the cursor movements stop at once, you should suspect an intrusion.

11. Make a "Genius" appointment at an Apple Store to have the machine and/or external trackpad tested.

Erratic trackpad and keyboard going crazy

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