MacBook Pro Trackpad Not Working

Falak
3 min readMar 24, 2022

Have you ever had a situation where you try to scroll on your MacBook Pro trackpad, but nothing happens, meaning the trackpad is not working? This can be pretty annoying since it forces you to use the arrow keys on your keyboard to navigate the page.

Though your MacBook’s trackpad is a small part of your computer, not using it well can make the entire device challenging to use. All these problems arise when your MacBook Pro trackpad gets stuck.

There are several quick fixes to try before you conclude that your trackpad has died.

We will walk you through diagnosing and fixing your laptop’s trackpad. Of course, before you begin, make sure your trackpad is enabled in the settings.

Detach external accessories and restart

MacBook trackpad issues are pretty standard, and the most common cause is an external accessory. Detach all your external accessories and restart your MacBook to fix this issue.

If you’re having a trackpad problem with your MacBook, the wire from your mouse may be getting caught between the trackpad and the laptop.

Remove any external peripherals, such as a wired mouse, and restart the laptop to resolve the issue.

Check for the Updates

If the issue isn’t solved by detaching external devices, check for the system updates. It is essential to make sure that you keep your MacBook Pro up to date with the latest software. This will help you prevent any unexpected errors and compatibility concerns.

If you have an issue with your MacBook pro, check for the software updates by heading towards System Preferences and selecting the “Software Update” option. If you discover that an update is released, update it.

It’s possible that there aren’t any updates available; it may be due to a hardware issue. You can try running diagnostics on your MacBook Pro and see if anything is wrong with the hardware itself.

Reset PRAM or NVRAM

If you have issues with your MacBook Pro, such as not working the trackpad, resetting the PRAM or NVRAM is another way to fix it. It’s also simple to execute and doesn’t necessitate the assistance of a professional.

Resetting the NVRAM or PRAM is also a quick fix that you can do at any time. Here is how to reset your MacBook pro NVRAM or PRAM:

  1. To begin with, shut down the laptop and unplug it from the power source for a minute before turning it on or plugging in again.
  2. Press the start button on your MacBook and start it again.
  3. Afterwards, hold the “Command”, “option”, “R”, and “P” keys for 20 secs.
  4. To repair the problem, release the buttons and let them restart automatically.

Reset SMC

If you are still facing a problem with the trackpad of your MacBook Pro, you can try resetting SMC. It’s a different approach to the problem, and it’s not as challenging as you may imagine.

The SMC on your MacBook is involved in several of the minimal operations on your MacBook. The power management, audio, and sleep keys are all part of this. As a consequence, it might be triggering your trackpad problem even though it has nothing to do with it.

Please remove the battery from the MacBook with a detachable battery and ensure it is removed from any energy source. After that, press the start key for a few seconds before battery replacement and restarting the Mac.

And if you have a Mac with a non-detachable battery, the remedy is to press Option + Ctrl + Shift on the keyboard, then press the start key for around 10 seconds before releasing them.

The SMC should now be reset, and trackpad functionality should be restored. Holding these keys down will shut down your Mac, but no data or settings will be erased.

Wrapping Up

We’ve explored a lot of ground in this article. Especially if you’re having problems with your trackpad, you may want to go back over this guide and see if any of the potential fixes will help you.

If your trackpad continues to malfunction, we suggest consulting Apple Support for further assistance. They may successfully establish whether you have a hardware or software problem, allowing you to decide whether repair or replacement is necessary.

--

--