How to Troubleshoot the Trackpad on a MacBook
Apple MacBooks have included the multi-touch trackpad, made famous by the iPhone, since 2008. The trackpad offers many time-saving advantages, such as one-handed zoom and swiping to scroll quickly through document pages, photos or browser pages. If your trackpad is behaving erratically, it can either be due to sensitivity settings that don't meet your specific needs, or because you are inadvertently introducing some sort of interference while using it.
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Instructions
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Click the Apple icon on the top left corner of your screen to open the Apple menu, then select "System Preferences." Click to select "Trackpad," then check that the settings are to your liking. If decreasing the sensitivity and number of multi-touch features does not resolve your problem, you may prefer to use your trackpad without the multi-touch features. To do so, uncheck all the boxes that appear in the Trackpad Preferences window.
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Make sure only one part of your finger is touching the trackpad and that your wrist is not resting on or near the trackpad when using it.
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Confirm that your fingers are not wet and your trackpad is completely dry, as sweaty fingers, hand lotion or any other type of moisture can cause interference. Wipe it with a soft, dry cloth to ensure it is clean and dry.
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Remove any jewelry such as bracelets or rings to see if that fixes the problem.
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Unplug your computer and try using the trackpad while running on the MacBook's battery. Some third-party power adapters can cause problems with your trackpad. If the trackpad's function improves when running on battery, replace your third-party power adapter with an official Apple one.
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Tips & Warnings
The Mac trackpad is designed only for use with bare fingers -- a pen or other object will not work.
If you regularly have problems with moisture and irregular trackpad function, purchase a special appliqué that affixes directly onto your trackpad and protects it from moisture-related interference.
References
- Photo Credit Justin Sullivan/Getty Images News/Getty Images
