Track Pad feels stuck and won't click.

Re: Flimsy Hinge on MacBook

I am suggesting this thread and the links there for anyone interested in the problem you present

and would like to find a solution that does not involve tapping the machine, although your

procedure seemed the most gentle one might be, and was effective (more than all the complicated

ones). Parsimony, the simplest approach that works is preferable in solving any problem.

The link here is about ways other forum members use to clean the dust away from the computer

regularly, including Apple information on cleaning, some members use a vacuum cleaner, some use

a toothbrush, some suggest the tiny brushes that come with shavers -- and some suggest

that whatever the routine for keeping things flowing mechanically it been done regularly, along

with clean the screen and the other flat surfaces of the machine, with a proper 'e-cloth'

(that doesn't require liquid or chemical cleaners to be effective). Finally a good suggestion

specifically about the trackpad not moving can be simple, as pointed out in a thread on this

message board which I cannot locate, and that was being aware that the hands are oil free,

that is clean but also without hand lotion or other moisturizers that contain oil. With the computer

off, as you say, cleaning the trackpad with the e-cloth regularly and noticing is your hands

are always oil-free might be some first line measures along with the regularly 'dusting' that

might be indicated by the symptoms of the problem you describe. Using the awareness

and cleaning suggestions described here has made using a MacBook Air a pleasure for me.

I had this issue in my first year, and took it to an Apple Store since during that year

it is under warranty. The trackpad was off center, a defect. When in the first year

I would definitely bring it in and have it correctly professionally. But good that it

worked for you, eh.

Thank you sooo much! I also created a user just to reply to this post!:)

It is so simple, yet it works perfectly! I used to just click and click and click on my trackpad until it worked again, but this trick works much better! I would have never thought about this myself, so I am super grateful that i came across this article!:D

HERO! — My mid-2014 Macbook Pro (bought mid-2015) started having this same issue recently and after much tinkering and shutting productivity tools Off and back On a hundred times, I was about to give up and call it in for repairs/warranty, but this instantly fixed it! — I slightly cheated, though, as I didn't turn off my MacBook as I probably should have. Still.. No issues anymore! \ o /

— It's not something I would've thought of with a unibody MacBook, but Apple never did claim it's dustproof I suppose... Still, rather bad this can happen, and this fast too... Never happened to my old plastic MacBook..
Perhaps it's time to tackle this crazy issue, Apple! 🙂

Thank you so much for the solution, but in a different way. So I was lying in my bed and found out that my track pad was physically stuck like yours before I saw your post. But when I took it to the desk to do what you suggested, I inadvertently pounded it on the desk too hard and it is fully functioning right now! Thank you again for helping me, in this most unusual way!

Brilliant!! I am glad that a I read your post prior to call technicians. The issues with the trackpad literally lasted for half an hour until I found this article. I did exactly as you said and the problem was gone quickly.

Many thanks!

Thanks for that tip. I tried it, but it didn't work for my old MacBook Pro. BUT when I swapped batteries from a newer one, then suddenly the keypad worked. So, in my case, it seems that the battery was swollen or distorted in some way with age and was pressing on the back of the keypad functioning parts. So I advise people with the same problem to try taking the battery out to see if that releases the key pad. I reckon you can start up using your charger and a power supply when the battery is removed. Though I am not 100% sure that's safe, but it should be logically. Anyway, you can see if the keypad is working, i.e. clicking properly, without starting up. If it does seem to be the battery maybe you need a replacement? I've got a good SLODA in one of mine which works well.

Re. my own post above about a possibly slightly swollen old battery, oddly, next day, after I had shut down my MacBook Pro and left it closed for some time, the keypad started working again even with the old battery in it, the battery I had thought was the problem, as when I took it out the night before the keypad suddenly worked / clicked properly again. Anyway, the tip / solution in the main post here seems to work for many. Plus last night, taking the battery out worked for me, as some sort of pressure was released. And now, even with the battery in, the keypad is working again. Oh well, The Mysteries Of Macs!!

Wow! Thanks man! This completely saved my morning. I woke up with a stuck trackpad and couldn't even click it. I though I had to get it repaired but instead I followed your steps and in 5 minutes, it started working perfectly! Thank you again!

Great advice: it worked (even if it took some minutes tapping).

For the sake of completeness: my MacBook trackpad had stopped working after i had placed the screen horizontally on the table to clean it with the keyboard vertical (90° between keyboard and screen). This was probably causing something inside slipping.

As several others, I just created an account to thank you! This worked like a charm. I just bought my new Macbook Pro a month ago and experienced this problem when I woke up. I was panicking and looking for solutions when I came across your post. Your suggestion worked perfectly! Thank you for sharing this!

Wow! I am so glad that a I saw this. My "problem" literally lasted for 10 minutes until I found this. I did exactly as you said and the problem was gone quickly.

Many thanks!

Thanks man, I signed up only to thank you 😉

Lifesaver tip!

Thank you so much for this post. My trackpad on my 3 month old Mac Air was working earlier today, I packed it up and moved location by car, and when I opened it up, it was totally stuck. Everything about it was working.

Turning it on it's side loosened whatever it was that was making it not click. I did it from both sides, like burping a baby.

Thank you! I cannot thank you enough. The problem had just arised and had already given me so much anxiety. After trying your solution it worked! You the real mvp.