MEWzz wrote:
Thanks. My MacBook Pro is very old, but has worked great until this track pad problem.
It is: MacBookPro (Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013) and is haptic.
FYI, a 2013 model does not have the haptic Trackpad....this was only introduced with the 2015 model. The 2013 & 2014 models have the traditional old school mechanical clicking mechanism with a physical microswitch.
Most likely dirt, crumbs, or liquid has gotten between the gaps of the Trackpad edges or even beneath the Trackpad. Unfortunately Apple made this Trackpad very difficult to access since the battery is glued in place beneath it blocking easy access for removing the Trackpad for a properly cleaning. It is not advisable to dismantle the laptop to clean the Trackpad.
You may be able to use a piece of paper to slide into the gaps around the side and front edges of the trackpad to try to clear out some dirt or liquid residue. This is not easy to do because the gap is so narrow and the paper is so easily torn. Plus the paper must be able to bend slightly to actually move beneath the trackpad edge as well which is not smooth. Only the tiniest portion of paper will usually make it into the gap & beneath the Trackpad.
It is usually easiest to start on one side of the Trackpad and sliding the paper forward to the front corner. The front is the section nearest the front edge of the laptop (aka towards the user). I like to try to move the paper around the front corner in order to get debris cleared from there since it also makes it easier to slide it across the front of the trackpad. It is not easy to turn the corner without ripping the paper. Most likely the front part of the Trackpad is where the debris or liquid residue will be concentrated and most likely to be interfering.
It is best to insert the corner of the paper into the gap so only the tip/point of the corner of the paper makes into the gap & slightly beneath the Trackpad itself. You will likely need to use a fresh corner of the paper so you have a clean good tip/point on the paper. You may need to attempt this multiple times to get the paper inserted and to clear the debris.
Don't try to insert anything in the gap at the top of the Trackpad near the Keyboard since fragile cables may be located there. Any debris at the top is unlikely to cause the Trackpad to bind.
