MacBook Trackpad Not Clicking or Not Working? Try These Fixes

When your MacBook trackpad is not clicking, or the pointer won't move at all, it can bring your work to a halt. Sometimes the cause is a single setting. Other times it's a sign of something more serious underneath, like a swelling battery. This guide walks you through the checks from simplest to most serious, so you know what you can fix yourself and when it's time for a repair.

First, understand your trackpad

Most MacBooks from 2015 onward use a Force Touch trackpad. It doesn't physically move when you click; instead, it uses sensors and a small vibration motor to simulate the click. If you shut down the Mac, the trackpad won't "click" at all, which is normal. Older models use a mechanical trackpad that physically presses down, usually at the bottom edge.

Quick checks and settings

1. Restart your Mac. A simple restart clears many temporary glitches.
2. Check trackpad settings. On macOS Ventura and later, open System Settings > Trackpad. On older versions, open System Preferences > Trackpad. Try turning "Tap to click" on as a workaround, and check the click pressure setting.
3. Check the accessibility option that ignores the built-in trackpad when a mouse is connected. In System Settings > Accessibility > Pointer Control (or Accessibility > Mouse & Trackpad in older versions), make sure it isn't disabling the trackpad unexpectedly.
4. Disconnect Bluetooth mice and trackpads to rule out conflicts.
5. Update macOS in Software Update, since trackpad firmware is updated along with it.

Clean the trackpad

Lotion, oils and crumbs can affect tracking, and debris can get into the edge of older mechanical trackpads.

1. Shut down the MacBook and unplug it.
2. Wipe the surface with a soft, lint-free cloth, slightly dampened with water if needed.
3. Never spray liquid directly on the trackpad or let moisture get into the gaps.
4. Dry your hands before using it again; damp fingers can make tracking erratic.

Try Safe Mode

If the trackpad works in Safe Mode but not in normal startup, a third-party app, utility or login item is likely interfering. Our guide on starting a MacBook in Safe Mode explains the steps for Apple silicon and Intel Macs.

Rule out a swollen battery

This is the most important check. The battery sits directly under the trackpad. When it swells, it pushes the trackpad up from below, making it stiff, raised or impossible to click. Look for these signs:

• The trackpad sits higher than normal or feels uneven.
• The MacBook rocks on a flat table or the bottom case bulges.
• The lid doesn't close fully.

If you notice any of these, stop using the MacBook, unplug it and don't press on the trackpad. Read our guide to swollen MacBook battery warning signs before doing anything else.

When it's a hardware fault

If the trackpad doesn't respond in Safe Mode, an external mouse works fine and the battery looks normal, the trackpad itself, its cable or a connection on the logic board may be at fault. Liquid damage is another common cause, even from a small spill weeks earlier. These issues need a technician to open the Mac and test the parts.

Need trackpad repair in Ottawa?

Fix Revolution handles trackpad replacement, battery replacement and board-level repair in-house. We pick up your MacBook at home or work anywhere in Ottawa and Gatineau and drop it back off when it's done, with most repairs completed in 1–2 business days depending on parts. For MacBook repair in Ottawa, get a free quote or call 613-265-4349.

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