If you’re experiencing problems with your MacBook trackpad, don’t panic. This article provides 11 step-by-step fixes to get it working properly again.
Common Reasons for MacBook Trackpad Issues
There are several reasons why your MacBook trackpad may not be working as it should. One of the most common causes is dirt or debris that has accumulated on the trackpad, making it difficult to move the mouse pointer. Another reason could be a damaged or cracked MacBook, which affects the trackpad’s ability to function properly.
Additionally, if you’re using an external mouse, such as an Apple Magic Trackpad or a laptop mouse, it may cause interference with the trackpad, resulting in issues. Problems with the MacBook keyboard can also affect the trackpad, so if you’re experiencing keyboard issues, it’s worth checking the trackpad as well.
If your MacBook trackpad is stuck or unresponsive, it could be due to software issues. In rare cases, it could be a hardware issue, such as a malfunctioning pro mouse or air keyboard. Regardless of the cause, there are several step-by-step fixes you can try to get your MacBook trackpad working again.
Quick Fixes for a MacBook Trackpad not Working
- Check if the Trackpad is turned on
- Go to System Preferences
- Click on Accessibility
- Click on Mouse & Trackpad
- Ensure the Trackpad is turned on
- Restart your MacBook
- Click on the Apple icon
- Click on Restart
- Update your MacBook software
- Click on the Apple icon
- Click on System Preferences
- Click on Software Update
- Update your MacBook software if there is any available
- Reset the SMC (System Management Controller)
- Shut down your MacBook
- Press and hold the Shift + Control + Option + Power button for 10 seconds
- Release all keys
- Press the Power button to turn on your MacBook
- Reset the PRAM/NVRAM
- Shut down your MacBook
- Press the Power button to turn on your MacBook
- Immediately press and hold the Option + Command + P + R keys for about 20 seconds
- Release all keys
- Unplug all external devices
- Unplug all external devices from your MacBook
- Restart your MacBook
- Check your MacBook’s battery level
- Click on the battery icon on the menu bar
- If the battery is low, connect your MacBook to a power source
- Make sure your fingers are clean and dry
- Wash your hands to remove any moisture, dirt, or oil
- Dry your hands thoroughly before using the Trackpad
- Disable Force Click
- Go to System Preferences
- Click on Trackpad
- Uncheck the box next to Force Click and haptic feedback
- Check if the Trackpad is physically damaged
- Inspect the Trackpad for any cracks, scratches, or damage
- If there is physical damage, contact Apple Support
- Restore your MacBook to its factory settings
- Back up your important files and data
- Shut down your MacBook
- Press the Power button to turn on your MacBook
- Immediately press and hold the Command + R keys until the Apple logo appears
- Select Disk Utility and click Continue
- Select your startup disk and click Erase
- After erasing, select Reinstall macOS and follow the instructions
Updating Firmware and Software for Trackpad Issues
One of the most common reasons for a MacBook trackpad not working is outdated firmware or software.
To update the firmware and software on your MacBook, head to the Apple menu and click on System Preferences. From there, select Software Update to check for any available updates.
If there are updates available, download and install them. This should fix any issues you were having with your laptop mouse or magic mouse.
If the problem persists, try resetting your keyboard settings by heading to the Apple menu, clicking on System Preferences, and selecting Keyboard. From there, click on the Restore Defaults button.
If your trackpad is still stuck or not working properly, try booting up your MacBook in Safe Mode by holding down the Shift key while it starts up. This will disable any third-party software that may be interfering with your pro mouse or macbook keyboard.
If all else fails, consider taking your cracked MacBook to an Apple store for repair.
sudo softwareupdate -i -a
This command will check for and install any available software updates for the MacBook, which may address the issue with the mouse pad.
2. Reset the SMC:
sudo nvram -c
sudo shutdown -r now
This command will reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on the MacBook, which can sometimes fix issues with the mouse pad not working.
3. Check for any conflicting software:
sudo lsof | grep -i USB
This command will list any processes that may be using the USB port, which could be interfering with the mouse pad.
4. Check for any hardware issues:
If the above solutions do not fix the issue, it may be necessary to physically inspect the MacBook for any hardware issues. This could include checking the connections between the mouse pad and the logic board, or replacing the mouse pad altogether.
Note: These solutions are general and may not specifically address the issue of a MacBook mouse pad not working. It is always recommended to consult with a professional or Apple support for any hardware issues.
Resetting the SMC, NVRAM, and PRAM for Trackpad Issues
- Shut down your MacBook.
- Unplug the power adapter and remove the battery (if possible).
- Press and hold down the power button for 5 seconds.
- Release the power button and reconnect the battery and power adapter.
- Turn on your MacBook and test the trackpad.
- If the trackpad is still not working, try resetting the NVRAM.
- Shut down your MacBook.
- Press the power button to turn on your MacBook.
- Immediately press and hold down Command + Option + P + R keys.
- Release the keys after hearing the startup sound twice.
- Turn on your MacBook and test the trackpad.
- If the trackpad is still not working, try resetting the PRAM.
- Shut down your MacBook.
- Press the power button to turn on your MacBook.
- Immediately press and hold down Command + Option + P + R keys.
- Release the keys after hearing the startup sound twice.
- Press and hold down the Command + Option + P + R keys again until the MacBook restarts.
- Turn on your MacBook and test the trackpad.
Deleting Trackpad Property List Files to Fix Issues
One of the common fixes for a non-working trackpad on a MacBook is to delete the trackpad property list files. These files store preferences and settings for the trackpad, and deleting them can sometimes resolve issues like a trackpad that is stuck, unresponsive, or not clicking.
To delete the trackpad property list files, you’ll need to navigate to the Library folder on your MacBook. This can be done by opening Finder and pressing Command + Shift + G. Then type in “~/Library/Preferences” and hit enter.
Once you’re in the Preferences folder, look for files with “com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothMultitouch.trackpad” in the name. Select these files and move them to the trash. You may also want to do this for any files with “com.apple.driver.AppleHIDMouse” in the name if you’re experiencing issues with a laptop mouse or magic mouse.
After deleting these files, restart your MacBook and see if the trackpad is working properly. If not, you can try some of the other fixes listed in our article, such as resetting the SMC or PRAM, cleaning the trackpad, or connecting an external mouse or keyboard.
Adjusting Trackpad Settings to Fix Common Issues
- Step 1: Accessing Trackpad Settings
- Click on the Apple icon in the top left corner of your screen
- Select “System Preferences”
- Click on “Trackpad”
- Step 2: Adjusting Trackpad Sensitivity
- Move the “Tracking Speed” slider to adjust how fast the cursor moves
- Move the “Click” slider to adjust how much pressure is needed to register a click
- Step 3: Enabling Tap to Click
- Check the box next to “Tap to click” to enable this feature
- Step 4: Adjusting Scrolling Direction
- Click on the “Scroll & Zoom” tab
- Select “Natural” or “Traditional” scrolling direction
- Step 5: Disabling Force Click
- Click on the “Point & Click” tab
- Uncheck the box next to “Force Click and haptic feedback”
- Step 6: Adjusting Secondary Click
- Click on the “Point & Click” tab
- Select “Secondary click” from the dropdown menu
- Choose “Click or tap with two fingers” or “Click in bottom right corner” for the secondary click
- Step 7: Disabling Three-Finger Drag
- Click on the “Accessibility” tab
- Click on “Pointer Control” on the left side of the screen
- Uncheck the box next to “Enable dragging” under “Mouse & Trackpad”
- Step 8: Changing Swipe Gestures
- Click on the “More Gestures” tab
- Select the swipe gesture you want to change
- Select a new action from the dropdown menu
- Step 9: Resetting Trackpad Preferences
- Click on the Apple icon in the top left corner of your screen
- Select “System Preferences”
- Click on “Trackpad”
- Click on the “Reset All Settings” button
- Step 10: Restarting Your MacBook
- Click on the Apple icon in the top left corner of your screen
- Select “Restart”
- Step 11: Updating Your MacBook
- Click on the Apple icon in the top left corner of your screen
- Select “Software Update”
- Follow the instructions to install any updates
Customizing Double-Click Speed and Disabling Force Click and Haptic Feedback
| Fix # | Problem | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Trackpad double-click speed is too fast or too slow |
|
| 6 | Force click and haptic feedback are not working or causing issues |
|
Running Apple Diagnostics for Trackpad Issues
If you’re experiencing issues with your MacBook trackpad, one solution is to run Apple Diagnostics. This tool can help identify any hardware issues your laptop may be experiencing that are causing the problem. Here’s how to run Apple Diagnostics on your MacBook:
1. Shut down your MacBook.
2. Press the power button to turn it on.
3. Immediately press and hold the D key on your keyboard.
4. Keep holding the D key until the Apple Diagnostics screen appears.
5. Choose your language and click Continue.
6. Apple Diagnostics will run a quick check on your MacBook’s hardware.
7. If any issues are found, Apple Diagnostics will display an error code.
8. Write down the error code and contact Apple Support for further assistance.
9. If no issues are found, click Restart to exit Apple Diagnostics.
10. Test your trackpad to see if the issue has been resolved.
11. If not, try some of the other fixes in this article.
Running Apple Diagnostics can be a helpful first step in resolving trackpad issues on your MacBook. It’s important to note that this tool only checks for hardware issues, so if your trackpad is still not working after running Apple Diagnostics, there may be a software-related issue that needs to be addressed.
Troubleshooting Trackpad Issues with Specific Mac Models
- Check for macOS updates:
- Click on the Apple menu in the upper left corner of the screen.
- Select “Software Update”.
- If there are any updates available, click “Update Now” and follow the prompts.
- Restart your MacBook:
- Click on the Apple menu in the upper left corner of the screen.
- Select “Restart”.
- Reset the SMC:
- Shut down your MacBook.
- Hold down the “Shift”, “Control”, and “Option” keys, as well as the power button, for 10 seconds.
- Release all keys and turn on your MacBook.
- Reset the PRAM:
- Shut down your MacBook.
- Press the power button to turn it on.
- Hold down the “Command”, “Option”, “P”, and “R” keys.
- Wait for the startup chime to sound twice before releasing the keys.
- Check for dust or debris:
- Turn off your MacBook.
- Clean the trackpad with a soft cloth or a toothbrush.
- Adjust trackpad settings:
- Click on the Apple menu in the upper left corner of the screen.
- Select “System Preferences”.
- Click on “Trackpad”.
- Adjust the settings as desired.
- Disable the Force Click feature:
- Click on the Apple menu in the upper left corner of the screen.
- Select “System Preferences”.
- Click on “Trackpad”.
- Uncheck the box next to “Force Click and haptic feedback”.
- Check for third-party software conflicts:
- Restart your MacBook in Safe Mode by holding down the “Shift” key during startup.
- Test the trackpad to see if it works properly in Safe Mode.
- If it does, restart your MacBook normally and uninstall any recently installed software that may be causing the issue.
- Perform a clean install of macOS:
- Back up your data.
- Restart your MacBook in Recovery Mode by holding down the “Command” and “R” keys during startup.
- Select “Disk Utility” and erase your hard drive.
- Reinstall macOS.
- Contact Apple Support:
- If none of the above steps work, contact Apple Support for further assistance.
Seeking Apple Support for Trackpad Issues
If you’re experiencing issues with your Apple Magic Trackpad or laptop touchpad, don’t worry! There are several steps you can take to fix the problem. Before seeking Apple support, try these 11 easy fixes to get your trackpad working properly again.
First, make sure your trackpad is clean and free of debris. If it’s still not working, try resetting your MacBook keyboard, magic mouse, or pro mouse. You can also try adjusting the trackpad settings in System Preferences or checking for updates to your Mac OS.
If the trackpad is still stuck or unresponsive, you may need to check for physical damage. A cracked MacBook could be affecting the trackpad’s functionality.
In some cases, a keyboard issue could also be causing problems with the trackpad. Try disconnecting any external devices and see if that helps.
If none of these steps work, it may be time to seek Apple support. They can help diagnose any hardware issues and assist with repairs or replacements. Don’t let a faulty trackpad slow you down – try these fixes today!
