Crazy Trackpad Issue. Solved/Closed

Question

Hello,

For the past two or three days, my trackpad seems to be malfunctioning. It is reacting strangely, initially making multi-touch actions difficult to perform, then evolving to move by itself without me touching the computer. I first tried to check the sensitivity of the trackpad by performing simple movements with one finger, and the results are inconsistent. Sometimes it works well, but other times it doesn't respond at all. At times, the cursor on the screen jumps around jerkily or completely erratically, making "jumps" of several centimeters, moving from one edge of the screen to the other, for example, even though I'm not touching the computer.

It can work perfectly for several minutes and then suddenly go completely haywire, rendering the entire computer unusable:
It moves on its own, clicks, double clicks, opens menus all over the screen, selects paragraphs. Writing this paragraph is actually unbearable since the cursor randomly clicks in other places, inserting text elsewhere or deleting my text.

I initially thought that something might have gotten under the trackpad. I specifically thought of a microscopic drop of water. I tried cleaning it several times. Without success. I also tried resetting the PRAM, which seemed to work for a few minutes but the problem returned very quickly. I read online that some people said the problem could be due to the battery, which is located underneath the trackpad. However, I'm struggling to understand how.

I can say for certain that this problem did not exist at all three days ago. It appeared suddenly.

Does anyone have any idea what to do to resolve the issue? Has this ever happened to any of you?

Thanks in advance,
Sû.

Configuration: Macbook Pro 13" Unibody 2009. Mac OS X / Safari 535.2

Sû-Banane · Accepted Answer

In case the same problem happens to someone, I used dry air on the whole computer and it worked. I think the issue was caused by a microscopic drop of water.

Sophi3645 · Answer

Hello, I have the same problem, how long did you dry it? I use a hairdryer on the cold setting, I did it for a few seconds but the trackpad issue continues a little bit. I know it's also due to two tiny drops of rain that got on it...

Nico · Answer

Apparently related to the fact that it works with the power supply plugged in, I just found out... Unplug the power supply and it works...

kanzakiiiiiii · Answer

Good evening,
I have the same problem but for at least two months, the cursor moves by itself; sometimes it works normally
I had to disable all the trackpad functions so it would stop creating files, deleting them, or moving them around, and doing a lot of other annoying things.
This site says the problem is resolved, but I don't see the solution.
It's true that when the battery is unplugged and I turn the computer back on, it works better, but that's not a solution; it always starts again.
How can I make it work like new?
I bought a Mac to avoid problems, I would like to get it repaired but I'm sure it's going to be very expensive (just for an estimate 90 euros), so if you have a cheap solution.
If you know why it's malfunctioning, I would just like to know the problem.

Thank you

kdrezo · Answer

Yes, it's a mess
I have the same kind of symptom; it started around March 2014 for a machine that is 2 and a half years old without any issues.
For now, I don't have a solution.
As for the repair, it costs a lot, I'm currently dealing with it (620€) and it doesn't solve the problem.
I'm very disappointed with my childhood dream. Mac aims to be a closed system which normally has the advantage of being able to rest easy, but that's not the case here.
I'm terribly disheartened. Given the price of the last operation and all the time lost, I'm on the verge of getting rid of the Mac, to switch back to machines that are completely replaced every 3 years with FreeBSD/Linux/or even Windows.
620€ is the price of a new machine.
Finally, after this rant, a bit of info on the history of my problem:
1) I first struggled for 2 days on the subject with the feeling that I had installed crap on my Mac. I found nothing.
2) I then played the good customer, I took my machine to the store. There, the salesman notes the erratic mouse. He boots the Mac with an external drive of his own. Before my astonished eyes, the mouse problem persists and confirms itself. The conclusion is obvious; it’s a problem related to the machine.
3) Okay, fine, we’re off for an estimate. 620€ for what they say is the motherboard. I can't believe it, I hesitated for 2 days between getting rid of the Mac and buying an ASUS machine and reinstalling everything under FreeBSD. But there you go, too much time has passed and the Mac interface, even though I use it 80% of the time as a console, is quite convenient. I crack and say okay.
4) The machine is back, no more mouse problems in the store.
5) Back home, 2 days later the trackpad goes haywire again. I've started smoking again.
6) Now I am very angry. I tried using Time Machine, nothing. I tried reinstalling the system, and it worked until a few reboots later.
7) Well, now I'm using a USB mouse that allows me to work around the issue. I am determined to finish identifying the problem, so I will likely reinstall the system multiple times. There is clearly some software component that updates and interacts with the hardware.
See you soon.

Mac Fan007 · Answer

I have the same problem, you don't need to change the motherboard but possibly the trackpad.

Otherwise, it's most likely micro-dirt infiltrated under the trackpad that makes contact with static electricity or the humidity level in the air.

The hairdryer trick works not because it dries the trackpad, but because it moves the dust elsewhere; a little tap on the side of the Mac would have the same effect, but it's not very advisable on the hard drive!

Yes, it's annoying that we can't change the components ourselves on the MBPs.

mays689 · Answer

I have the same problem :( I had it a few months ago and somehow managed to get rid of it... and now I have it again :(((

I have a MacBook Air 2013...

As far as I remember, I cleaned it well because it's clearly a sensitivity issue with the "capacitive"

let's see if someone finds the miracle ^^

Prisca · Answer

Hello,

I have the same problem for a few hours. I tried the different solutions I could find on the forums. Unable to find a solution, I proceeded to clean with CleanMyMac and installed the updates.

Result: IT WORKS! (for now the problem hasn't come back, I'm keeping my fingers crossed!).

Crobidoux · Answer

I've been having this problem for a few weeks... After all sorts of attempts (running maintenance scripts, reinstalling updates, cleaning the Magic TrackPad, etc., etc.), I came across a solution given on an Apple blog (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2720347?tstart=0 - read both pages): you simply need to reset the Magic Trackpad. Basically, the procedure is as follows:
Open Bluetooth preferences.
Have a mouse (wired or wireless) functioning to proceed with the following.
Hold down the power button on the Magic Trackpad for several seconds (the small power light will blink)
Pair the Magic Trackpad again (while keeping the power button on the trackpad pressed)
Release it... And there you go.

In English (more explanatory): http://davemeehan.com/technology/how-to-reset-an-apple-wireless-bluetooth-keyboard-mouse-or-trackpad

I will see if it works in practice: it seems, after more than thirty minutes of use, that it does.

Crobidoux · Answer

Another more effective way to reset the trackpad is to use Apple's "Bluetooth Explorer" utility available in the XCode tools (this is a tool available on Apple's site for XCode resources: https://developer.apple.com)/

It is advisable to have a wired mouse and a wired keyboard to be able to carry out the entire process (because the reset is performed on all devices connected via Bluetooth: if you have a wireless mouse and a wireless keyboard, you will not be able to click on the appropriate buttons and you will not be able to enter the required administrator password to proceed).

Here is the procedure, step by step:

1. launch Bluetooth Explorer,
2. go to the Tools menu,
3. select the command "Modify Software & Device Configuration."
4. check the box "Full Factory Reset,"
5. press the Perform Actions button,
6. and then click on Reboot Now.

Warning: Reboot Now forces a restart (open documents will not be saved if they have not been saved before the restart).

The operation worked perfectly here and my TrackPad seems to have regained its normal behavior (I hope it lasts).

Crobidoux · Answer

The trackpad needs to be reset, and this can be done using Apple's utility "Bluetooth Explorer" available in the XCode tools (this tool is available on Apple's website for XCode resources: https://developer.apple.com).

It is advisable to have a wired mouse and a wired keyboard if you want to be able to complete the entire process (because the reset is performed on all devices connected via Bluetooth: if you have a wireless mouse and a wireless keyboard, you won't be able to click the appropriate buttons and you won't be able to enter the required administrator password to proceed).

Here is the procedure, step by step:

1. launch Bluetooth Explorer,
2. go to the Tools menu
3. select the command "Modify Software & Device Configuration."
4. check the box "Full Factory Reset,"
5. press the Perform Actions button,
6. and then click on Reboot Now.

Warning: Reboot Now forces a restart (open documents will not be saved if they haven't been saved before the restart).

The operation worked perfectly here, and my TrackPad seems to have regained its normal behavior (I hope it lasts).

Crazy Trackpad Issue.

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