Trackpad of MacBook does not work

If you try to control a MacBook with a trackpad that doesn’t work, you’ll be busy the day after tomorrow. But just because the trackpad doesn’t work for a while doesn’t mean it’s actually broken. On this page, you’ll find tips to get your trackpad back to optimal use.

What exactly is a trackpad?

A trackpad is also called a touchpad. It is a surface that follows your touches, allowing you to control your MacBook. More than just scrolling and clicking, which you do with a normal computer mouse, a trackpad also lets you tap, swipe or pinch with one or more fingers. A trackpad is built into the laptop, but you can also plug it in separately, just like the computer mouse or a Magic Mouse. Has your trackpad broken down? Then read on, we’ll tell you exactly what you can do to reset your MacBook trackpad.

MacBook trackpad reset

If your MacBook trackpad is not working, the best thing you can do is try resetting it. The settings you previously made to use the trackpad to your preferences can be restored to the system settings this way. From this base, the trackpad will work again and you can reset it to your liking. To do this, use the keyboard or connect an external mouse.

1. From the Apple menu in the upper left corner of the screen, select System Settings.
2. Click on “Trackpad” in the navigation column (sometimes you have to scroll down).
3. Under the ‘Point and click’ tab, turn off the ‘Tap to click’ option.
4. Under the ‘Scroll and zoom’ tab, turn on the ‘Scroll direction: natural’ option.
   Now the basic trackpad settings are restored.

Another way to reset the trackpad is via a system reboot.
Turn on the MacBook, then immediately press and hold the following keys until you see the Apple logo: Option (⌥) + Command (⌘) + P + R. Hold these keys down for 20 seconds, or until the Apple logo appears or a startup sound is heard. Now you can check if the trackpad is working again.

Optimize MacBook trackpad

Have you successfully restored the trackpad settings? Then you can now start using the trackpad in the way that is most familiar to you and therefore works easiest and fastest. How? You do that yourself! With help, of course: our specialists share in our blog Three handy tips to optimize your MacBook trackpad and get the most out of this feature. And by!

Clicking MacBook trackpad does not work

Can’t click through the trackpad on your MacBook anymore? This occurs on MacBooks built before or in 2015. Always clean your trackpad (and the rest of your MacBook) first. Dust and dirt don’t work to make your laptop work properly. Doesn’t this work? If so, check your trackpad settings:

1. From the Apple menu in the upper left corner of the screen, select System Settings.
2. Click on “Trackpad” in the navigation column (sometimes you have to scroll down).
3. Under the “Secondary Clicking” tab, you can click the option that works best for you.

Pointing/swiping on MacBook trackpad does not work

In addition to a click failure, pointing or swiping on the MacBook trackpad may also stop working. This occurs on MacBooks built from 2016 onwards. On the trackpads included in these MacBooks, you can no longer physically click, but a vibration motor simulates the clicks. If you can still swipe and click, but you no longer “feel” the trackpad clicking, or it makes creaking or other strange noises, then the vibration motor is probably broken. In these cases, there is often only one solution: a new trackpad.

Trackpad MacBook broken

Despite the tips, can’t get your MacBook’s trackpad to work? Then a trackpad repair is probably needed. Make an appointment online or you can of course, you can always drop by one of our stores, where our specialists will be happy to help you.