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Dear PC Doctor:
My mac laptop trackpad sometimes doesn't work. Sometimes it's unresponsive, not doing anything when I click, and sometimes it goes crazy, moving around the screen by itself. Do I need a new computer?
Thanks,
Josh
Dear Josh:
It's hard to say without looking at your computer in person. Mouse trackpads do go bad, and you might need yours replaced. There are a few things you can try before taking it in for repair, though.
First, believe it or not, try taking off your jewelry. According to Apple, rings or bracelets can make the cursor seem jumpy.
You can also try cleaning the surface of the pad. Use a lint free cloth very slightly moistened. Oils from your skin and also hand lotion will eventually interfere with the operation of your mouse trackpad.
Sometimes this erratic behavior is caused by your power adapter. Try using your computer with just the battery. If it behaves normally, you may need to replace the power cord.
I hope this helps!
Until next time,
Happy computing!
PC Doctor
Posted: to Athol Library News on Tue, Oct 25, 2016
Updated: Fri, Oct 28, 2016