Quick Fix to Macbook Pro Trackpad Not Working Properly

It’s a regular day. You’re typing away and all of a sudden, your Macbook Pro trackpad is not working properly. You wonder why. Then you try again. It’s still not responding.

It’s weird but your MacBook is not registering the clicks. You’re pushing down on your trackpad really hard. It suddenly works then it fails again. Your trackpad is acting up. What could possibly be wrong?

The last thing you want to do is to use a standard mouse for your MacBook. That’s clearly not an option for you. You’re worried and you wonder why is your MacBook Pro trackpad not working properly?

It’s time to find a solution to your unresponsive trackpad. There are a couple of ways to get your trackpad to respond or register the clicks. So, stop asking yourself why is your Macbook Pro trackpad not working properly. Instead, choose the best solution for the situation.

Contents: Part 1. How to Fix Macbook Pro Trackpad Not Working ProperlyPart 2. A Smart Way to Clean up Your MacBook

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Part 1. How to Fix Macbook Pro Trackpad Not Working Properly

Method #1. Replace the Trackpad

How do I fix my trackpad on my Macbook? Well, Replace the trackpad is probably the easiest solution for you. However, there is a cost to it. The cost is definitely more if the warranty of your Mac has expired.

You would also have to consider the model of your MacBook. The cost of the trackpad would really depend on the model of your MacBook. Aside from the cost, you would also have to factor in labor and the availability of the trackpad.

At the end of the day, it’s the cost that you’re up against. That is, if you opt for this method of getting your MacBook Pro trackpad to work properly.

Method #2. Troubleshoot Trackpad

When Macbook Pro trackpad not working properly, you can troubleshoot it. This solution is more practical since you just have to navigate through the system. Nonetheless, you would still have to be careful in doing it.

Here are three ways you can troubleshoot the trackpad of your MacBook Pro. The first of which requires you to do a software update.

Here are the steps for you to do a software update.

• Go to the top left side of your MacBook Pro screen to locate the Apple menu. From the drop-down menu, click on “Software Update”.
• Search for “Trackpad Firmware Update”.
• Install update by checking the box.
• Check the other boxes for more updates.
• Click the “Install” button at the bottom of the page.
• Restart your MacBook.

To find out what is wrong with your Mac trackpad when the Macbook Pro trackpad not working properly, You can also do a simple system test to fix it. Do this in 7 easy steps.

• Search for “System Preferences”. When you see it on the drop-down menu, click on it.
• Choose the option “Keyboard and Mouse”.
• Select “Trackpad.” This will give you access to the settings of the trackpad.
• Check the tracking speed and the speed sliders. Double-click on the latter, making sure that the pointer is located somewhere in the middle of the Slow and Fast options.
• Undo your selection for Trackpad Gestures. See if that works.
• In the Trackpad Options, instruct MacBook to ignore accidental trackpad input.
• Exit the “Keyboard & Mouse” window.

You can also troubleshoot your trackpad by checking the battery of your MacBook.

• Turn off your computer.
• Flip over your MacBook and check on the battery.
• Take the battery out with the use of a coin.
• Check for signs of battery swelling.
• Plugin your MacBook Pro and see if your trackpad is working. If it is, then it’s a battery issue.

If troubleshooting your trackpad doesn’t work, you can resort to the third method.

Method #3. Repair the trackpad Yourself

For the less tech-savvy folks, this method might be a pretty risky one. After all, you would have to take out the trackpad and repair it yourself. That is enough to stress someone out.

Your MacBook Pro is such a precious item that you wouldn’t risk tearing it apart, would you? The good news is that there are easy ways to repair the trackpad of your MacBook Pro yourself. The first of which is for you to rearrange or adjust the location of the button of your trackpad.

The wear and tear on the metal contact points could pretty much be the answer to your question; why is your MacBook Pro trackpad not working properly?

Most likely, the wear and tear of your trackpad are what’s causing the problem. This method of taking your trackpad out of your Macbook Pro will require you to adjust the small piece of metal on the backside of the trackpad. Here are the steps to do it.

You will need the following materials for this particular method:

• A mini toolset that includes:
• A 00 Phillips screwdriver
• A magnification headset
• Tweezers
• Magnet
• A razor blade

The said materials will help you to open up your MacBook to get the battery and trackpad out.

Here are the steps for you to follow so that you could repair the trackpad yourself.

• Flip your MacBook over to get the back cover off.
• Start taking out the screws. Make sure to put them all together. Use the magnet to make them stick together but make sure to organize them so that you won’t have a hard time putting them back in their original places. That way, each screw will go in the right hole. If you’re using a more recent version of a MacBook, you will need the pentalobe security screw. If not, the 00 Phillips screwdriver can help you get the back cover off of your MacBook.
• Remove the power source from the computer. If your MacBook has a CD-rom drive, you will need a tri-wing bit to get the battery out.
• After getting the screws out, grab the plastic tab on the battery and just pull it out.
• Take out the outer screws to get the trackpad out. Use the smallest Phillips head bit to do that.
• Take the trackpad out of the logic board itself by using your fingernail to pop it off.
• Lift the top case and keep the screen down. Put your hand underneath. With your other hand, slide the piece of metal that attaches the trackpad to the MacBook to release the former. Then pull it down to get the trackpad out.
• Hold the trackpad down on a flat surface. Get your razor blade and peel off the adhesive that’s protecting the button. That button is a piece of metal that flexes back and forth when you push down on the trackpad. It’s the one that clicks when you push down on your trackpad.
• Peel off the adhesive from the silver button carefully. Lift the silver button to see the two gold metal contact plates. These two gold metal contact plates are critical elements in the way the button works. They make the trackpad work but with the wear and tear on the surrounding gold metal plate, you could end up with an unresponsive trackpad. Over time, the metallic electrical connection between the outer ring and the inner ring could break down. So, when you push the button down on your trackpad, nothing happens. You could simply fix that problem by rearranging or adjusting the silver button. You could move it slightly to the left or slightly to the right to make it responsive again.
• Put back the adhesive and the silver button with the use of your tweezers. Line up the silver button in a different location. Carefully arrange or adjust it slightly off-center to the right or to the left. Make sure it’s not in the same location.
• Push your finger to hold down the silver button. Make sure the adhesive sticks the silver button down on the gold metal plates. Once it’s pressed, the silver button needs the outer ring to touch the inner ring of the gold metal plate. That will give you functioning and clicking MacBook trackpad
• Return the trackpad by attaching it from underneath your MacBook. Attach the small tab of the trackpad back on your MacBook by threading it through the tiny slit. Use a tweezer to pull the end of the tab through the slit. Fit the trackpad back by putting in the screws one by one.
• Put the battery back in.
• Test and see if your MacBook Pro trackpad is working properly.

If you’re not comfortable with tearing your trackpad apart, you can opt for this next option when your Macbook Pro trackpad not working properly. You will need a sandwich bag, some isopropyl alcohol (91%), a piece of paper towel, and a cotton bud.

1. Take out the trackpad of your MacBook Pro.
2. Get the zip lock and pour in a bit of alcohol.
3. Place the trackpad inside the sandwich bag.
4. Seal the sandwich bag and let it sit for a couple of minutes, making sure the alcohol is running through the entire trackpad.
5. Take the trackpad out of the sandwich bag.
6. Place on top of the paper towel to dry. Wait for about an hour to let it dry.
7. Use the remaining alcohol to clean out the logic board frame of your MacBook Pro. You can use a cotton bud for this. Just dip it into the alcohol. The alcohol can help break down the grime. Obviously, this option is not as risky since it doesn’t require you to tear the trackpad apart.

Part 2. A Smart Way to Clean up Your MacBook

As you’re doing a simple system test on your MacBook, you might realize that it might need some cleaning up. The thought of cleaning up your MacBook Pro could add to your stress.

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In Conclusion
These are the three methods you can consider in getting your trackpad to work properly. Except for Method #1, the other two methods consist of various steps that you would have to look into first. Nonetheless, these three methods are all doable. To summarize, you can get your MacBook Pro trackpad to work properly.