MacBook Trackpad Stuck: 10 Tips On How To Fix It

When your MacBook trackpad is acting up, don’t panic! This article can help you deal with this problem.

Today, we will delve into the typical culprits behind a sluggish trackpad and show you the 10 top tips for fixing a MacBook trackpad stuck problem. We’ll explore potential causes and show you how to get your trusty trackpad back on track, all without needing a technical degree.

The Possible Reasons Why Your MacBook Trackpad Gets Stuck

1. Bulging Battery

This “culprit” tops the list for a trackpad. As the battery expands, it pushes up on the trackpad from below, hindering its ability to click.

2. Liquid Infiltration on the Motherboard

Spills of sugary or acidic drinks can harm the motherboard and disrupt trackpad communication, while water spills may cause temporary glitches.

3. The Other Reasons

Dirt, misconfigured preferences, corrupted files, or outdated drivers can all contribute to trackpad troubles. Fortunately, these are often solvable with basic troubleshooting, even for those without extensive MacBook expertise.

The good news is that many trackpad issues can often be fixed at home with simple troubleshooting.

Top 10 Ways to Resolve a Stuck Trackpad Issue on Your MacBook

1. Trackpad maintenance

Is your MacBook trackpad acting up? A dirty trackpad can sometimes make it stop working correctly:

1. Grab a lint-free cloth, like one for cleaning glasses.
2. Just dampen it with plain water.
3. Wipe down the entire trackpad surface.
4. If some stuck-on dirt will not budge, try using a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution instead of water.

      2. Reboot the System

1. Close problematic programs (use Command+Tab to switch, Command+Q to quit, and Command+Option+Escape to force quit).
   

   

2. Hold the power button until prompted to shut down.
3. Turn your MacBook back on.

     3. Unplug External Devices

At times, external peripherals may impede the trackpad’s performance.

1. Disconnect any extraneous devices, such as external hard drives, printers, or USB drives, and then proceed with restarting your MacBook.
2. Verify whether the trackpad functions correctly afterward.

     4. Update for MacOS

Regular macOS updates can include fixes for trackpad issues.

• Check for updates in System Preferences under “Software Update” and install any available updates.

      5. Restore Defaults

Incorrect trackpad settings can lead to malfunctions.

• Go to system settings, check, and adjust trackpad settings as needed.

      6. Remove Trackpad Properties Files.

Corrupted files in trackpad settings can cause problems.

• Delete specific files, like:

1. Com.apple.AppleMultitouchTrackpad.plist;
2. Com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothMultitouch.trackpad.list;
3. com.apple.driver.AppleHIDMouse.plist;
4. com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothMultitouch.mouse.plist;
5. com.apple.preference.trackpad.plist.

     7. Remove or Update Third-party Drivers

Third-party drivers can sometimes interfere with trackpad functionality.

• Check for updates or uninstall problematic drivers from the Applications folder.

     8. Reboot PRAM or VRAM

Resetting parameters can resolve trackpad issues.

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Press and hold Option, Command, P, and R keys simultaneously.
3. Keep holding the keys until you hear the startup chime twice.
4. Release the keys.
5. Your Mac will restart.
6. After restarting, check if the trackpad is working.

     9. Reset SMC

For Intel-based MacBooks, resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) can help.

1. Disconnect your MacBook from the power adapter and all other devices.
2. Press the keys simultaneously: Left Shift, Control, Option (Alt), and the Power button.
3. Keep the keys pressed for at least 10 seconds.
4. Release the keys and wait for your MacBook to restart.
5. Once your MacBook has restarted, the SMC has been reset.

   10. Reinstall macOS

As a last resort, reinstalling macOS can resolve persistent trackpad issues.

• If the stuck trackpad problem persists, you can reinstall macOS as a last resort.
• Restart your MacBook.
• Enter macOS Utilities.
• Select the “Reinstall macOS” option.
• Follow the on-screen instructions.

Visit the Macnest (AppleParts) website for a selection of genuine trackpads for various MacBook models, ensuring authenticity and quality assurance.