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You are here: MacNN Forums > Hardware - Troubleshooting and Discussion > Mac Notebooks > MacBook Pro trackpad unresponsive, particularly just after sleep

MacBook Pro trackpad unresponsive, particularly just after sleep
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Dec 12, 2009, 10:35 AM
 
Hello,
I'm having odd mouse behavior, particularly just after waking from sleep. It moves normally, and rollover behavior is normal, but clicks don't register. That is, nothing happens. Just after sleep, no clicks register for a long moment, and then it seems to come back. However, I just recently realized that it continues to happen while I'm using the computer. That is, it will sometimes take two or three clicks or even several more to get something to happen. It seems that the problem is more frequent at times and other times less so.

I'm running 10.5.8 on a relatively new Macbook Pro (2.4Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo) with 4 Gig of RAM.

Feels like a software problem to me, but I suppose I can't rule out hardware at this point. Note that the number of apps running does not seem to correlate with the problem. Also, I've run ActivityMonitor, and there's nothing sucking the CPU. With just a few percent in use, it still happens.

This is starting to really get in my way. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!
     
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Dec 12, 2009, 10:41 AM
 
bluetooth mouse? Sounds like a battery issue.

magic mouse? Check batteries and also Install or reinstall the magic mouse software update.
     
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Dec 14, 2009, 03:11 AM
 
No, not a bluetooth or other mouse. It's the built-in trackpad on the Macbook Pro.

This has been moved to a hardware forum, but I strongly suspect it's a software issue. Seems like something in the OS is busy and losing the clicks.

I've searched this and other forums, and I've found others with what sounds like the same problem -- but no real explanations or solutions so far.
     
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Dec 14, 2009, 04:05 AM
 
Is anything plugged into your USB ports? Assuming the trackpad is on USB (you can check this with Apple System Profiler) if there are a few other items on the bus, the system may be taking a long time to reinitialize all the bus devices.
     
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Dec 14, 2009, 06:14 AM
 
Originally Posted by watertiger View Post
No, not a bluetooth or other mouse. It's the built-in trackpad on the Macbook Pro.

This has been moved to a hardware forum, but I strongly suspect it's a software issue. Seems like something in the OS is busy and losing the clicks.

I've searched this and other forums, and I've found others with what sounds like the same problem -- but no real explanations or solutions so far.
You mentioned mouse, so I moved it to this section. But since you say it's the trackpad, it fits best in our notebooks section. I'll move it and rename the thread title.
     
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Dec 14, 2009, 12:45 PM
 
Is it the last generation before the Unibody MBPs?

If so mine has this issue, it affects the keyboard as well, which either stops responding or repeats, or misses keys. Caps lock light flashes on and off, but doesn't actually turn caps lock on or off.

I've got Apple Care but haven't found the time to take it in yet. If they'd send me a box, I'd send it in, sounds like US Apple Care is more helpful.
     
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Dec 14, 2009, 12:51 PM
 
Have you tried a PRAM and SMC reset?

Does it happen while there's a lot of wifi traffic?

Have you ran AHT and checked if it returns any errors?
     
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Dec 15, 2009, 09:32 AM
 
This is a Unibody MBP. There is nothing plugged into USB, or any other port for that matter. I'm the only one on this wifi service. (Although the latter suggests another test: running without 'net. I'll try that.)

Simon, thanks for the tips. I'll try them one at a time. I just reset PRAM.. It *may* have had an effect. I will have to use it for a while to know. I'll report back here, either way.
     
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Dec 28, 2009, 03:21 PM
 


well count me in with the same issue regarding the clicks...although I cannot say that waking from sleep has anything to do with it.

my keyboard seems to be totally functional, its just the tracpad

I will keep searching for solutions and coming back to check in on your progress

     
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Dec 28, 2009, 04:14 PM
 
Well, I tried clearing the PRAM before the earlier post and no improvement

I have had another restart since then for a printer driver install, and the trackpad is working great again...

I don't put much faith in this, but the PRAM clear and two restarts is working for now!
     
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Dec 28, 2009, 09:45 PM
 
No go on the PRAM reset

Seemed like it worked for a while and/or my imagination ran wild

I have a new SSD drive and moving over to 10.6, so I will be confident in a hardware failure if this does not get resolved.

Anyone know the part number we need for the new 15" unibody 2.53 MBP?
     
   
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