How to fix Trackpad error on Macbook Pro

There are many causes of trackpad errors on Macbook Pro. In this article, Taimienphi will guide you through the simplest and easiest ways to fix trackpad errors on Macbook Pro.

How to fix Trackpad error on Macbook Pro

1. Fix Trackpad error on Macbook Pro by upgrading the operating system

Old operating systems can cause problems with the trackpad on Macbook Pro. To update the operating system on Macbook Pro, follow these steps:

Step 1: Click on the Apple logo in the upper left corner of the screen.

Step 2: Select System Preferences .

Step 3: Click on Software Update .

Step 4: When the new operating system update appears, click Update Now to download it to your device.

Step 5: When the update process is complete, click Restart Now to restart the device.

2. Fix Macbook Pro trackpad error by disabling Force Click

Trackpad on Macbook Pro has two main types of interaction: Force Click and Tap to Click. The difference between these two types of interaction lies in how hard you press on the trackpad. With Tap to Click, you just need to press lightly on the trackpad to perform any action, while Force Click requires you to press firmly on the trackpad until you hear a clicking sound. If you press your Macbook Pro's trackpad but get no response, the Force Click feature may be turned on. To turn off the Force Click feature on Macbook Pro, follow these instructions:

Step 1: Click on the Apple logo in the upper left corner of the screen.

Step 2: Select System Preferences=>Trackpad .

Step 3: In the Point & Click section, turn off the Force Click and haptic feedback features .

You can also drag the slider in the Click section to adjust the trackpad's sensitivity to finger action.

3. Fix trackpad error on Macbook Pro by resetting trackpad settings

Sometimes user settings changes can cause trackpad errors on Macbook Pro. In this case, resetting the trackpad settings to default is an effective way to fix the error. How to reset trackpad settings is as follows:

Step 1: Click on the Apple logo in the corner of the screen =>System Preferences=>Trackpad .

Step 2: Uncheck the Tap to click section .

Step 3: In the Scroll & Zoom section , tick Scroll direction: Natural .

So your Macbook Pro trackpad has returned to its default settings.

The Macbook Pro's NVRAM/PRAM is where a number of user settings are stored, including trackpad settings. If the information in NVRAM/PRAM is damaged, the trackpad on the Macbook Pro may fail to function. How to reset NVRAM/PRAM is quite simple, you just need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Completely turn off Macbook Pro and wait for 30 to 60 seconds .

Step 2: Turn on Macbook Pro again.

Step 3: As soon as the Macbook Pro screen lights up, press and hold the key combination Option+Command+P+R .

Step 4: Hold down these keys for 20 seconds until you hear the Macbook Pro reboot sound.

Step 5: Release your hand and let the Macbook restart.

Note: Manually resetting NVRAM/PRAM can only be done on Macbook Pro running Intel chips. On a Macbook Pro running an Apple chip, NVRAM/PRAM is automatically reset every time you turn the device off and on again.

5. Fix trackpad error on Macbook Pro by resetting SMC

Trackpad error on Macbook Pro may originate from SMC (System Managemeent Controller). SMC is the part responsible for controlling some hardware on the Macbook Pro, including the trackpad. Like NVRAM/PRAM, you can reset SMC to fix trackpad errors on Macbook Pro.

See more: How to reset SMC, the control management system on Mac

6. Fix trackpad errors on Macbook Pro by deleting the trackpad properties file

A corrupted property list file can cause problems with the trackpad on a Macbook Pro. You can follow these instructions to delete the corrupted trackpad property file.

Step 1: Open Finder=>Go=>Go to Folder or press the key combination Command+Shift+G .

Step 2: Enter the path /Library/Preferences/ then click Go on the new dialog box that appears.

Step 3: Find two files named com.apple.AppleMultitouchTrackpad.plist and com.apple.preference.trackpad.plist.

Step 4: Delete the above 2 files and restart your Macbook Pro.

7. Fix trackpad errors on Macbook Pro by adjusting sensitivity

When using the trackpad on a Macbook Pro, you may encounter an error where the trackpad freezes, is slow, and cannot keep up with the movement speed of your fingers. You can adjust the trackpad sensitivity to fix this error.

Step 1: Click on the Apple logo=>System Preferences=>Trackpad .

Step 2: In the Tracking Speed ​​section , drag the slider to the right if you want to increase the trackpad's sensitivity or to the right if you want to decrease the sensitivity.

8. Fix trackpad error on Macbook Pro by changing double click settings

Many Macbook Pro users have difficulty performing double click on the Macbook Pro trackpad. To make double clicking easier, you can adjust some of the following settings:

Step 1: Open System Preferences on Macbook Pro=>Accessibility .

Step 2: Select Pointer Control in the left toolbar.

Step 3: In the Double-click Speed ​​section , drag the slider left or right to adjust the time between two clicks on the trackpad of the double click operation.

9. Fix trackpad errors on Macbook Pro by running the diagnostic program

Macbook Pro integrates a program to find hardware errors called Apple Diagnostics . You can use this program to identify trackpad errors on Macbook Pro automatically. How to use Apple Diagnostics is as follows:

- For Macbook Pro running Intel chip:

Step 1 : Disconnect the Macbook Pro and all other external devices, except the charging cord.

Step 2: Completely turn off Macbook Pro.

Step 3: Turn on Macbook Pro again and hold down the D key .

Step 4: When you see the language selection screen, remove your hand from the D key and select the language you want to use.

Step 5: Wait for Apple Diagnostics to find and determine the error of the Macbook trackpad.

- For Macbook Pro running Apple chip:

Step 1: Disconnect the Macbook Pro and all other external devices, except the charging cord.

Step 2: Turn off Macbook Pro.

Step 3: Turn your Macbook Pro back on and hold down the Touch ID/Power button until you see the Startup screen.

Step 4: Press the key combination Command+D .

Step 5: Wait for Apple Diagnostics to search and determine the trackpad error.

If Apple Diagnostics reports a trackpad hardware error, you should bring the device to an Apple dealer for warranty.

Trackpad errors on Macbook Pro can cause a lot of trouble for users. Hopefully the above instructions will help you quickly fix trackpad errors on Macbook Pro. Good luck!

Jessica Tanner

Update 17 June 2024