MacBook Pro Trackpad/Mouse Issue

Hello! A few months ago, the trackpad on my MacBook Pro (Retina, Mid 2012) started behaving erratically. The trackpad was unresponsive to my touch, while the mouse would jump around the screen, clicking on random things, or not moving at all. I took my laptop into the Genius Bar and the Geniuses there said I would have to replace the whole bottom component of my laptop, which would be around $300. I've resigned myself to spending the money, but have pushed it off by disabling the trackpad and using an external mouse. Up until now, the external mouse has been a great substitute and has worked just fine for me, but recently, the cursor of the mouse has been experiencing the same problem that the cursor of the trackpad was. That is, being erratically, not responding, etc.. I'm not tech-savvy in the least, so I was just wondering if anyone would be able to explain if these two issues are connected or if I have a whole other problem to worry about. As I said, I'm not good with computers and it just confuses me that the issue in the trackpad could be effecting the external unit.


Thank you in advance!

Alisha

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8)

Posted on Jul 29, 2015 8:31 PM

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4 replies

Jul 30, 2015 7:10 AM in response to alishadarling

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.

Aug 4, 2015 1:44 PM in response to Linc Davis

Thanks for this info, Linc.


I was having same problem and rebooted in safe mode. Problem went away. I then rebooted as normal and problem (for the moment) has not returned. I don't have any peripheral devices associated with this computer (15-inch MacBook Pro) except for a USB-connected HP printer that I've had for several years. Any thoughts on why a safe reboot might have solved the problem?

Aug 5, 2015 3:32 AM in response to J. Sloan

For some reason, I thought I had replied previously, but obviously didn't! I had tried a few of the first tips with no luck, but after seeing the safe reboot trick apparently worked, decided to test it out and everything seems to be working well for me now. It's been about 30 minutes with no issues so I'm tentatively calling it a success.


J. Sloan, do you also have a broken trackpad, thus needing the external mouse? Or was your mouse just acting up? Like you, I'm very curious why this safe reboot worked but also if the trackpad issue even had anything to do with the external mouse issue. Regardless, I'm glad it's working now!

Aug 5, 2015 8:34 AM in response to alishadarling

alishadarling: My trackpad exhibited the same behavior you described in your original post. The safe reboot seems to have improved my situation, but not solved it entirely. I still have regions of my trackpad that are non-responsive to touch, the track pad occasionally cannot distinguish between a swipe of the finger and a tap of the finger, and it still acts on its own at times. The latter appears to be related to how much pressure my left hand puts on the computer as I'm typing; not sure if this is real cause and effect, or coincidence.


In any case, I'm having the trackpad assessed at an Apple Store as current functionality is sub-optimal.

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MacBook Pro Trackpad/Mouse Issue

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