Trackpad Freezing

Question

Level 1

25 points

Trackpad Freezing

Hello, Apple Community. I recently purchased back in February a 13.3 inch MacBook Pro Retina and it's already giving me a problem. It has recently has started freezing the trackpad and the wired mouse that I have connected. It's done this a couple times already. I don't exactly know what to do about it other than restart my computer, but I feel like this shouldn't be happening it's practically a brand new computer. I think it's software related, but I could be wrong. I updated El Capitan to 10.11.4. That's the only thing that I've done. Anyone else having this issue? Is there a fix? Thanks Guys!

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X El Capitan (10.11.3)

Posted on Mar 27, 2016 2:18 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,102 points

May 21, 2017 5:51 AM in response to SailorBill

I suppose you already did the SMC reset

Reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac - Apple Support

and perhaps the NVRAM reset:

How to reset NVRAM on your Mac - Apple Support

If that does not work why not go to Apple and have them look at it, you have guarantee.

Reply

Answer 2

panstey

Level 1

4 points

Apr 1, 2017 5:14 AM in response to RaheemJamaal

Hi there,

I've had the exact same problem since I bought my Macbook Pro Retina early 2015. I'm new to apple and this is my first laptop so I didnt think to check here. It seems this is a common problem!? As you describe - my laptop carries on running in whatever programs I have open but I lose all function of the trackpad. I can toggle through screens but that's it. I am forced to turn off the laptop using the power button. It is an intermittent problem, usually happening after long usage.

It is currently in for repair, as the screen was damaged, so I have notified the insurer to check this out also.

Perhaps I should also inform Apple?

Reply

Answer 3

May 21, 2017 5:13 AM in response to RaheemJamaal

My trackpad randomly stops working and a hard restart is the only way to get it working again. This has been happening for a couple of weeks. It is now locking up every couple of hours. Restarting is the only way I can reset everything. Watching this thread for a software solution.

MacBook Pro 13-inch Late 2016, 3.3 GHZ Intel Core i7, 16 GB RAM

Reply

Answer 4

roncrit

Level 1

4 points

Jul 31, 2017 10:16 AM in response to RaheemJamaal

I too had this problem. I bought a new 27" iMac with Trackpad in June, 2017. It froze with the trackpad, but not the mouse. Finally I discovered that I was making a gesture (I think a 2 finger swipe) that caused the freeze.

The Solution for me is to swipe with 4 fingers.

Try it.

Reply

Answer 5

tygb

Level 9

64,588 points

Nov 22, 2017 11:52 PM in response to BAAKAS

Third party unknown apps , antivirus , cleaners create issues , in any case they are in the machine should be uninstalled you can visit apple authorised service centre , they will check the machine and will sort out the problem ( could be a hardware issue ) .

Reply

Answer 6

tygb

Level 9

64,588 points

Nov 6, 2017 7:04 AM in response to RaheemJamaal

See this article If your Apple wireless mouse, keyboard, or trackpad isn't working as expected - Apple Support

Also run safe mode Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac - Apple Support

Reply

Answer 7

Mar 27, 2016 10:26 PM in response to RaheemJamaal

If I understand correctly, the computer lags when typing in any application. It looks like you have already done some troubleshooting. I would recommend that you read this article, it may be able to help the issue.

OS X El Capitan: If you think you have incompatible login items

Reply

Answer 8

RaheemJamaal Author

Level 1

25 points

Mar 27, 2016 10:31 PM in response to Alex-Turner

No, there is no lagging. It just freezes and I can't click or move the cursor. The force touch Taptic engine in the trackpad just turns off. I also have a mouse that I plug into USB and that wouldn't work either. It's only happened twice, but I'm still concerned because this is practically a new computer.

Reply

Answer 9

Mar 27, 2016 11:15 PM in response to RaheemJamaal

There are two main troubleshooting steps I suggest completing to begin troubleshooting your unresponsive touchpad. These steps are resetting the NVRAM and the SMC on your Mac and instructions for each can be found in the articles below.

How to Reset NVRAM on your Mac - Apple Support

Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac - Apple Support

Reply

Answer 10

RaheemJamaal Author

Level 1

25 points

Mar 29, 2016 7:57 AM in response to Alex-Turner

Tried that and it still does it every 20 hours or so.

Reply

Answer 11

JimmyCMPIT

Level 7

29,223 points

Mar 29, 2016 8:14 AM in response to RaheemJamaal

have you tried cleaning it?

https://support.apple.com/en-us/ht204172

Reply

Answer 12

RaheemJamaal Author

Level 1

25 points

Mar 29, 2016 8:19 AM in response to JimmyCMPIT

There's nothing to clean. Haha. It sparkles. It's only a month old. Honestly, it didn't start happening until I updated El Capitan to 10.11.4 So if you haven't updated yet--don't. It might be the OS that's doing it.

Reply

Answer 13

SebSemmi

Level 1

14 points

Mar 29, 2016 8:21 AM in response to RaheemJamaal

I have the same problem as you and it is probably related to 10.11.4. Others seem to have the same problem. See this thread.

Reply

Answer 14

RaheemJamaal Author

Level 1

25 points

Mar 29, 2016 8:29 AM in response to SebSemmi

I hate to say this, but thank god I'm not the only one. Haha. At least that narrows it down some. So does yours become unresponsive after 20 hours or so as well or is it more frequent?

Reply

Answer 15

SebSemmi

Level 1

14 points

Mar 29, 2016 8:39 AM in response to RaheemJamaal

Since a week (10.11.4 release) it happened 3 times. Always Safari/Youtube/videoplayback related.

The whole system freezes and there is no Panic Report or Diagnostic Report generated, so it will be hard to get the necessary information to Apple, but I suspect Apple employees will encounter this problem frequently, so there is hope.

Reply