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Cursor is moving by itself

I normally use external mouse rather than trackpad. Within the last 7 days, my cursor started to move around and change screens, opening and closing apps until the Mac is closed. The mouse as well as trackpad were completely uncontrollable. Upon this first experience I've got Apple support by phone and after a few try (opening in safe mood etc.) the problem was solved. Then I bought a MagicMouse in order to be on the safe side! Today the same thing happened again. I called the Apple team again. Right now I have been closing the FileVault as they recommended so and don't know if the same will occur again. I would be very glad having an advice by someone here experienced with the same problem. Thanks.

MacBook Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.4), Cursor starts to move & changes by itself

Posted on Jul 3, 2015 4:41 AM

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Posted on Jul 3, 2015 9:11 AM

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 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. If your model has an infrared receiver for use with an Apple Remote, disable it.

5. 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.

6. Reset the System Management Controller.

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

8. 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.

9. 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.

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

11. If you use Handoff, disable it in the General pane of System Preferences.

12. 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.

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

2 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Jul 3, 2015 9:11 AM in response to Nettie49

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 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. If your model has an infrared receiver for use with an Apple Remote, disable it.

5. 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.

6. Reset the System Management Controller.

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

8. 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.

9. 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.

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

11. If you use Handoff, disable it in the General pane of System Preferences.

12. 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.

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

Jul 3, 2015 8:25 PM in response to Nettie49

Dear Davis,

Thank you so much for this detailed, kind reply indeed. Let me give a short feedback.

* I managed to close the File Vault as the support team firstly advised by phone yesterday. It took 5-6 hours but shortened the opening time from 2,5 minutes to 1,5. When I bought my MacBookPro in 2013, it was opening within 10-15 seconds.

* I checked and performed all of the applicable steps those given by you except SafeMode test that was already tried a few days ago and yesterday morning too.

* Since yesterday evening there was nothing extraordinary with the trackpad & mouse usage.

* Just a few minutes ago the cursor suddenly started to tremble first horizontally then vertically by itself and highlighting some parts of the screen.

* I at once shut off the MagicMouse and try to have a handle on cursor through only trackpad.

* Right now it seems I am managing it...

But... I am not sure when will this irritating situation repeats itself. After sending this message, I'll try the mouse again.

Thanks a lot again,

Regards

Cursor is moving by itself

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