My built-in keyboard and trackpad not working

my built-in keyboard and trackpad not working on my MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2014) running OS X Yosemite 10.10.5

MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2014), Mac OS X 10.10.5

Posted on Aug 24, 2015 9:53 PM

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Posted on Feb 24, 2018 8:28 AM

BEFORE REPLACING TOP-CASE CHECK TRACKPAD FLEX CABLE!!!


I had the same problem; first intermittently, then permanently. Apple service didn't find anything using diagnostics when I'd brought it in with intermittent problems. A later visit and a solution was found:


It turned out it was the TRACKPAD FLEX CABLE. A very inexpensive repair compared with replacing the entire top-case! Shame on Apple for fusing the top case, keyboard, trackpad, and batteries into one unrepairable component!


Apparently the trackpad and keyboard cables run together in a cable that bends around the close end of the trackpad under the little cutout for opening the lid. The tech speculated that my cable was pinched or bent too much from my pulling the laptop out of my bag with one hand! Thankfully this is a replaceable part!


Of course, I recommend to anyone else with the problem to exhaust at-home solutions for possible software faults first: resets, reinstalling OS, etc.


Good luck!

190 replies

Dec 18, 2015 7:19 PM in response to leilanih

This is for everybody. Clean install- fresh install. However you wish to call it. Have a backup of your data. Using recovery and disk utilities, erase the internal indented drive. using ethernet, not WIFI reinstall. check functionality of computer. Add back you data one at a time and check again. when it starts acting up again. The last thing you reinstalled is the problem. When run in safe mode all your extensions are not loaded. If it works in safe mode it is a bad extension http://computers.tutsplus.com/tutorials/understanding-safe-mode--mac-59897

Jan 1, 2016 2:33 PM in response to ELiTE-NET

mbp9.2

just installd 10.11.2 From 10.10.5 4 days ago, open my book[always sleeps] this morning [yes 1stof yr] and inbuilt hid of either working.


came back to it this afternoon, started working, occasionally becoming unresponsive in firefox


no previous problem with any hid




Shouldn't Their Simply be a kext that is installed in upd by this point?

or at least a link to dl

Mar 20, 2016 7:35 AM in response to leilanih

Kaplan42 Dec 17, 2015 5:09 AM
in response to ELiTE-NET

Same issue for me (MBP 13" early 2015, El Capitan 10.11.2). Unresponsive keyboard and trackpad, sometimes after sleep, sometimes all of sudden. Bluetooth/USB keyboard & trackpad working. Tried resetting NVRAM, SMC, created another Admin session, Diagnostics, emptying cache, libraries (using CleanMyMac), Disk Permissions. Sometimes booting in Safe Mode does resolve the issue, but today it doesn't. Apple Support recommends formatting the hard drive and reinstalling the OS manually without using Time Machine (which I'm reluctant to do, this will take days to re-install everything). The trackpad/keyboard problem may happen when away from bluetooth mouse. I also have some bluetooth & wifi issues (disconnections). There are a number of discussions around this problem, but no-one seems to have been able to solve the issue, apart from the ones that had their Macbook serviced (change of keyboard/trackpad). Most worrying for such a recent high-range Macbook. I'd hope Apple would take this issue seriously and recall the defective model.




================================================================================ =======


Kaplan42 ! I have exactly problem like your. My macbook pro just bought on Aug/2015 but A problem just happen this month. Every time macbook go sleep then Keyboard and Trackpad not working, then I have to remove battery cable. reconnect again then it's work. I don't know why ? after reading your comment, Maybe I have to reinstall whole system . maybe it work. this is first time I bought Macbook with protect plan. but when I bring to apple store, the guy over there try to reset smc like remove battery and reconnect battery then give me back. I try to ask them a new one but they didn't. so disappoint about this. I will never buy mac book again because I didn't how to fix them. Windows and notebook ok., I can how to replace and fix them. hope apple will see this problem and fix it

Mar 20, 2016 3:08 PM in response to dinhdinh02

The easiest way to tell if it is software or not is to do a clean install. Which means you have no additional software loaded. You would need a backup with time machine or some other way. If the problem is still there, it's not software. You could also try resetting your sleep settings in system preferences energy saver. Make sure there is nothing magnetic close to the computer as this will cause it to try and go to sleep.

Mar 22, 2016 11:32 AM in response to dinhdinh02

I have the same issue, trackpad and keyboard become unresponsive after waking up.. And now its unresponsive ALWAYS during the start up boot selection, recovery mode, and safe mode, kernel related things.. When i use external keyboard/mouse its responds as it should be .. But if on normal Mac/windows it will be responsive most of the time. I also noticed that boot time increased 3 times compared the first time i used my mbp. Im doing a clean install now and hopping to fix the problem.. It seems to be a firmware issue.. I let you know of the updates..


Mbp 13' early 2015. El capitan 10.11.x

May 19, 2016 3:32 PM in response to arfenhouse

Hi,


I have the same problem. I need an usb keyboard & mouse to use my laptop (2011)


1- Genius Bar software check: everything ok....keyboard ko. Perfect...problem allocated.

2- Genius Bar first answer: we need to change the keyboard and trackpad...200$ aprox. My answer: ok, go ahead.

3- Genius Bar after a few hours : dear customer...ehhh...there're no problem with the keyboard and trackpad, we swapped the two units and the problem continues...yesss...we must to change the motherboard...500$ aprox..... My answer: please don't touch my macbook...go away from it!!!


after these process, I don't believe that the problem is this, I'll make a complaint, because I think this is a problem about product's design and I don't agree with the BAr answer.


Madrid- (Spain)

Jul 15, 2016 11:50 AM in response to lllaass

Hi lllaass,


Not sure if you still monitor this but my trackpad has been non-responsive for a while and I can only use my MacBook (Pro Retina, 13-inch, Mid 2014) with my magic mouse. Even then there are sometimes issues to connect (i.e. after replacing the battery or after a restart). Additionally, when I use my MacBook to watch videos via Netflix etc. the pointer constantly moves (in varying directions at varying speeds) across the screen.


I have tried resetting the SMC and NVRAM/PRAM.


Do you have any suggestions?


Many thanks!

Nix

Jul 15, 2016 12:16 PM in response to nlivers

- If possible I would do a fresh install of OSX on an external drive and boot from that. If still problem that would point to a hardware problem with the Mac.


Or

- Try resetting the SMC and NVRAM/PRAM

Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295

About NVRAM and PRAM

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204063

- Try starting in Safe Mode

OS X: What is Safe Boot, Safe Mode?

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201262

- Boot to Recovery and repair the startup disk

OS X: About OS X Recovery - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201314

- If it is repairable reinstall the OSX

How to reinstall OS X on your Mac - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204904

- If you do not have a backup use disk utility to restore the internal disk to an external disk so you can try to recover data.

Then format the startup disk and do a fresh install of OSX


If still problem, make an appointment at the Genius Bar of an Apple store since it appears you have a hardware problem.

Apple Retail Store - Genius Bar

https://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/

Jul 17, 2016 5:30 PM in response to ELiTE-NET

I have been experiencing the same problem with the trackpad for about 6 months now. My keyboard just went out and is acting bizarre. I am going into the Apple Store on Tuesday to send in my computer after they told that would be the best thing to do, since the batteries, keyboard and trackpad are part of one "top case" part in the mid-2014 model that is very expensive to replace in-store. I might ask them to replace the logic board as well (they will do it for free if you send it in, as well as any other faulty parts they find). I will let you know the results once it gets back--I'm pretty sure (99.9%) that it's a hardware issue and the Genius's agree. Fingers crossed!

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My built-in keyboard and trackpad not working

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