Is your MacBook Pro trackpad not working? We’ve covered four different troubleshooting methods. Let’s start with the easiest to get your trackpad working again.
1. Check for macOS Updates
This sounds obvious, but it’s amazing how many people aren’t running the latest version of the operating system, firmware, and drivers.
To see if any updates are available for your trackpad, open the App Store and click on the Updates tab at the top of the window.
Trackpad++ is the world's first alternate Windows driver for Apple Multi Touch and Force Touch trackpads of the Apple Macbook, Macbook Pro / Retina and Air notebooks. Apr 02, 2018 Please help. I am not and do not desire to be a tech. (please make instructions easy). I am running windows 10 on a mac air. I bought and had installed and then found.
Really, you should install any updates that are pending. But for the purposes of fixing your trackpad, you’re interested in anything called Trackpad Firmware Update (or similar). If you come across something, click on the Update button and follow the onscreen instructions.
2. Check Relevant Settings
Assuming there were no updates available (or they didn’t solve your issue), the first port of call should always be your trackpad’s settings. You can fix lots of complaints by simply tweaking a couple of options.
Double-Click Not Working
If your trackpad seems fully functional with the exception of its ability to double-click, it is possible that the time delay for your system to recognize the gesture is set too low.
If you’re new to using trackpads (rather than a traditional mouse) or you aren’t as fleet-fingered as some people, this is a likely cause.
To access the double-click settings, click on the Apple icon in the top-left corner of your screen. Then follow System Preferences > Accessibility and scroll down the left sidebar until you come to Mouse & Trackpad.
You’ll see various options available, but the one you need to adjust is Double-click speed. Turn it down from its current position; somewhere around the middle is adequate for most users, but feel free to go as low as necessary.
Pointer Is Hard to Control
If you find the mouse’s pointer is overly responsive, you could try adjusting the tracking speed.
Once again, click on the Apple icon, but this time head to System Preferences > Trackpad. You’ll see a slider at the bottom of the window titled Tracking speed. As before, a setting somewhere around the middle should be suitable for most users.
Trackpad Is Completely Unresponsive
If your trackpad is entirely dead, don’t despair—it could also be a simple settings issue.
The way to test this is to check for a physical mouse connected to your system, either via USB or Bluetooth. If you do, try disconnecting it. Does your trackpad now work? In that case, your system has been set up to ignore trackpad input when it detects a mouse.
As long as you’re running OS X 10.7 Mountain Lion or later, you can change this setting by going to System Preferences > Accessibility > Mouse & Trackpad and unticking the checkbox next to Ignore built-in trackpad when mouse or wireless trackpad is present.
It’s also possible that your Mac thinks another peripheral accessory is a mouse. Trying disconnecting everything (keyboards, printers, gaming controllers, and so on) from all your machine’s ports and see if it makes a difference.
3. Check Your Mac’s Hardware
More often than not, trackpad issues that aren’t due to settings are caused by various hardware problems. They can originate either from the Mac itself, or from user error.
The Pointer Is Jumpy and Jittery
If your pointer is jumping around the screen, there could be a range of non-serious causes—many of them down to simple human error.
First, check your battery level. If it’s low, plug in your machine and try again—it really could be that simple! Next make sure that jewelry such as wedding rings and bracelets are not catching the pad as you work; they could cause the pad to read multiple signals at once and get confused.
Finally, make sure your fingertips aren’t damp or sweaty. Trackpads and water don’t mix well, and can cause erratic behavior.
Everything About the Trackpad Is Temperamental
Sometimes your trackpad works correctly; sometimes it acts up. Something it lets you move the pointer, while other times it doesn’t. If this is the case for you, more often than not, the problem is your MacBook’s batteryMacBook Not Charging? Troubleshooting Laptop Power ProblemsMacBook Not Charging? Troubleshooting Laptop Power ProblemsYou're almost certainly going to have to troubleshoot your MacBook power supply at some point. Here's how to do it.Read More.
Swelling and exploding MacBook batteries have been an issue for years. Apple claims it’s expected behavior—which is highly dubious—but either way, its occurrence can impact your trackpad.
Your first move should be contacting Apple support, if your device is still under warranty or covered by AppleCare. If not, and you think you have the swollen battery issue, try taking the battery out and running your machine from main power (you can also pay someone to do this for you). You will almost certainly see a significant improvement.
4. Delete “Property List” Files
If all else has failed, the last trick you can try before conceding defeat is deleting the Property List (PLIST) files.
macOS uses the PLIST files to store a user’s settings and information about bundles and applications installed on a machine. Deleting them will force your Mac to recreate new ones.
Note: Before proceeding, make sure you back up your computer using Time MachineHow to Use Time Machine to Back Up Your MacHow to Use Time Machine to Back Up Your MacTime Machine is your Mac's built-in utility for backing up your computer. We'll show you how to set up Time Machine, make backups, and more.Read More.
To delete the files linked to your mouse and trackpad, open Finder then click Go > Go to Folder. Next, type /Library/Preferences and hit Go.
Look for the following plist files and delete them:
- com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothMultitouch.trackpad.plist (Magic Trackpad)
- com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothMultitouch.mouse.plist (Magic Mouse)
- com.apple.driver.AppleHIDMouse.plist (wired USB mouse)
- com.apple.AppleMultitouchTrackpad.plist
- com.apple.preference.trackpad.plist
Reboot your Mac, and see if this cured the problem. As a last resort, you can erase and restore your Mac to factory settings.
MacBook Touchpad Workarounds
If none of the above worked, you probably need to take your machine in for repair. There are lots of repair options available, but the exact route you should take depends on whether or not you have AppleCare.
Even if you do need a repair, there are still some workarounds that you can take in the meantime.
Disable the Trackpad
The most obvious temporary solution is to disable your trackpad altogether and use a standard mouse. The process is simply the reverse of the previously mentioned troubleshooting tip.
Just head to System Preferences > Accessibility > Mouse & Trackpad and tick the box next to Ignore built-in trackpad when mouse or wireless trackpad is present.
Use an External Trackpad
The Apple Magic Trackpad 2 performs exactly the same way as your computer’s trackpad, except it’s an external peripheral that sits on your desk.
It’s perfect if you’re used to using the trackpadWhy OS X Works Better with a TrackpadWhy OS X Works Better with a TrackpadWhile Microsoft has focused on bringing touchscreen technology to the desktop, Apple has continued to optimize for the more traditional pointer-based approach.Read More and find changing a handheld mouse too inconvenient, and it’s completely wireless too. Unfortunately, they’re not cheap, but it’s your only option for a Mac-friendly external touchpad.
Fixing the MacBook Trackpad
We’ve covered Apple’s support optionsNeed Mac Tech Support? Here Are Your OptionsNeed Mac Tech Support? Here Are Your Options'Tech support' — two words that strike fear into the hearts of all but the most competent computer users out there. Where do you begin to look when things start to go wrong?Read More in great detail before. You can either use the Genius Bar in an Apple Store, take it to an Authorized Service Provider, or use a non-Apple affiliated independent shop.
You only other option: try to fix your Mac yourselfFix Your Own Mac: A Troubleshooting GuideFix Your Own Mac: A Troubleshooting GuideApple is known for having great customer service and repair technicians, but if you're no longer under warranty that expertise doesn't come cheap. Why not try troubleshooting your own Mac first next time?Read More. There are lots of tutorials on YouTube, but this is one of the best:
Warning:DO NOT try this unless you’re very confident in your skills. Doing so will void your warranty. If your machine is still under warranty, you should let Apple do the work.
Fix Other Issues With Your Mac
What issues have you stumbled across with your MacBook’s trackpad? Did you find any of these simple solutions helped solve your problems, or was it something more serious?
We’ve written lots of other troubleshooting guides as well. For example, if you have a problem with your MacBook keyboard, we can help you fix that as well as assist you with restoring items that have disappeared from your MacSomething Disappeared From Your Mac? How to Restore 7 Common ItemsSomething Disappeared From Your Mac? How to Restore 7 Common ItemsCan't find the Dock, or discovered a missing menu on your Mac? Here's how to restore hidden elements in macOS.Read More.
Explore more about: Computer Mouse Tips, Hardware Tips, MacBook, MacBook Air, Touchpad, Troubleshooting.
- Helpful content... But.... My mouse is literally not working whatsoever, thus how am I supposed to click through the settings..
- My curser keeps jumping around to random places and keep clicking random things when it's not supposed to. Other times it will just lag (My curser had jumped around 6 times and clicked 4 random things while I'm typing this). What should I do?
- Thank you for the tip!! My Trackpad seemed to have 'frozen' and wouldn't respond to two finger scroll, thus I couldn't scroll my email list or indeed the highlighted email itself, or any document for that matter, so I could only read to the bottom of the screen!!
Your very first tip to troubleshoot was to check updates and look for trackpad related updates not yet uploaded. There weren't any but there were some old various ones not uploaded. I clicked 'update all', the Mac shut down to install these and some old ones that apparently hadn't successfully uploaded, ten minutes later it came back on and Hey Presto, Trackpad working again!! Thank you! - I found this article even more frustrating because if I could just click here and click there I wouldn’t need to look for an article about my mouse not working
- I bought my 2017 MacBook Air a few months ago, I'm running MacOS Sierra 10.12.6 on it and the problem with my trackpad is that it works when I'm browsing the internet but not when try to move up and down in Mail, either up and down the inboxes or in an actual email. Why would this be?
- My trackpad and keyboard have become completely unresponsive. Brought it to apple store twice now; first time they reseated cables and told me it was fixed but it wasn't. 2nd time they replaced the topcase: this seemed to work initially but the following day the same issue has recurred.
I can plug in my mouse and use the cursor but can't use keyboard (Only power button works). As such I can't past password screen to try any of the recommendations in the article.
This has been going on for 2 weeks now and apple store doesn't have any technicians at weekend. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks - Of course none of your simple options fixed my trackpad. I guess I must admit my machine is probably past it's useful life span. 7+ years is way over the hill for computer equipment, but since I just put a new battery in in January I was hoping that a small tweak would fix my problem. Trackpad works on the top, but not in the middle or bottom - sort of like me.
- I don't understand how I'm able to fix a completely unresponsive trackpad when the directions say to CLICK ON THINGS TO FIX IT. All of the tips can't be used because the problem I have PREVENTS ME FROM FIXING IT.
- Plug in a USB mouse or keyboard. Even old pc ones will work, as long as they are USB.
- nothing is working, I'm unable to use my Mac because of the track pad
- Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge, which has been very useful. I had issue with tap to click since I installed OS Sierra and your solution above just worked for me. Thank you.
- Come on guys!!! Who are we kidding??? The over-riding problem with Macbook trackpads is in their design. They accumulate all sorts of gunk around them and need to be thoroughly cleaned about once a year. This is a a really annoying problem and one that Apple seem to be in denial about. Solving the problem requires the tricky operation of removing the trackpad, cleaning it and replacing it. This process is EXTREMELY tricky (see Youtube tutorials) . Well done Apple... Please get your heads out of the sand and fix this design fault. P.S. Spraying WD40 electronic contact cleaner (non-conductive) onto the sides of the trackpad may help temporarily.
- These seem like great suggestions, but none of them will work because my track pad is completely dead in the water! I can't click anything and it's not responding to the actual mouse that's connected either. It was working great yesterday and now, nothing. :-(
- I'm in the same situation as you. A USB connected mouse worked for me a couple of hours ago but now that one won't work either. It's like my Macbook has decided navigating should no longer be an option...
- trying to hold the right clicker down and highlight something or move it around does not work. Basically the 'right click' doesn't function. Just happened as I flew from Montreal to Chicago. Maybe the battery did the swelling thing or maybe being to rough with it over the years has taken its toll. Not fun to use without this funtion
- My trackpad keeps trying to select things on my screen. It is as if I have clicked and dragged but i haven't and I can't 'release' the click therefore can't click on anything else. Restarting my computer fixes it for a time but it seems to be getting worse. I fear this is a hardware problem but the closest Apple store is 8 hours away! Help!
- my track pad was minimal responsive at best on my MacBook pro. i removed the magnetic charging cable and it then worked fine so try that because it worked for me. apple is strange.
- Great. Except can not do it If mouse does not work.
- My 2012 MacBook Air trackpad has twice stopped clicking, becoming then responsive to touch only when my Mac was hand held or rested on an edge of a desk or counter such that the trackpad portion was suspended over the edge. The first time, after a few days of working only when aloft, my trackpad to my relief resumed clicking and again worked normally anywhere for a year...until now.
- I have a Macbook Air (early 2015) and the trackpad and keyboard refuse to work under mac os. Tried running ubuntu live from a usb pendrive and everything works like normal. Tried Safe Boot Nothing. Made a super duper backup of my system and wiped everything and reinstalled Yosemite. Nothing!
- I have a MBPr 13' late-2012. Battery was replaced within the last 6 months, so I don't think it's that... though it still could be. Right not it feels like there is a grain of sand under the front left corner (away from the keyboard, right where you would 'left-click'). So it doesn't press down fully when 'clicking.' But the it will go away for a few hours/days then come back. Any thoughts? It doesn't seem to be affected by moving the computer around at all. (And I haven't been to the beach either.)
- Trackpad of my Macbook, stopped working properly. everything is fine except I can't select..It's clicking, moving fast, zoom in, zoom out but I can't select. Any help???
- My trackpad click function isn't working properly so it is difficult to highlight anything or to cut/paste or drag items anywhere. Basically, the trackpad doesn't seem to click at all now when I attempt to click, or it is very difficult to push down on the trackpad to obtain a click response. Any ideas?
- Same as Lynda, these suggestions look great but all rely on being able to navigate somewhere anywhere to check and change settings but with no click function I can move my mouse but can't select ANYTHING. Starting with how to access keyboard controls would be super helpful
- Plug in a wired mouse.
- i have the same issues as others. pointer/cursor moves but cannot click on anything. Plugging in a mouse makes NO difference. cursor moves but cannot click on anything, there for all the remedies on here are pointless.
- my macbook air memory was full, so my son deleted evrything by sending them to the trash and after that he restarted it and my trackpad stopped working
- I have a Mcbook with Windows 10. Well, the problem occurred after I made the system upgrade. I used OSToto Driver Talent to update the touchpad driver. It works after reboot.
- awesome - except when nothing responds to clicks on the trackpad, and a usb mouse still no response to clicks, so therefore can't navigate through the computer at all........................mutliple reboots and forced quits because can't turn off normally....aaaagh
- I have the same problem. As above, mouse worked for a while then it stopped - so now what? Additionally, I did take it to independant store and they said I probably needed a new motherboard. Forget that. I am stuck at this point. Fun.