More on jerky/jumpy MacBook trackpads

[Tuesday, February 5th]

We continue to report on an issue in which MacBook, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air trackpads are imprecise, "jumping" around the screen and making it nearly impossible to click on some Web page links or perform exacting operations in applications.

The latest reports:

• "I have the jerky/jumpy trackpad problem with my June 2007 MacBook Pro 2.4Ghz. The problem is intermittent and often occurs just after waking the machine from sleep. When it occurs the trackpad is so erratic it becomes unusable and sometimes a reboot is required. Sometimes it is fixed by rapidly brushing my fingers over the trackpad and surrounding frame for about 5 seconds, sometimes by simply rubbing my finger on my clothes then reapplying to the trackpad. The jerky problem appears worse if the heel or palm of my hand is touching the aluminum frame of the machine, as if an electrical short circuit is occurring." -- Lindsay Cameron
• "I have noticed my mouse and trackpad to pause--which also makes it look jumpy--when my late 2007 MacBook Pro is looking for an AirPort network. I have related these two issues by noticing that this occurs just after I turn on AirPort and in other cases where I change AirPort settings." -- John
• "I have noticed issues with 2007 MacBook Pro trackpad being related to hand cremes." -- Andrea Ardito

Discharge static electricity As loosely mentioned in some recent reader reports, discharging static electricity by touching a piece of grounded metal before attempting to use the trackpad can alleviate this problem.

Alternatively, some users have suggested that grounding the hand touching the trackpad during use (e.g. by touching the pinky finger to the system's case) can reduce jumpiness.

Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

Previous coverage:

• Jumpy MacBook trackpads; issue also affecting MacBook Air

Resources