Any idea what happened to my mouse pad?

[Surfnutt89]

I have an early 2011 MacBook Pro. I haven’t used it for a very long time (had a baby which kept me busy) and when I have come back to use it the mouse pad looks like this? The tracking or movement registers still but the touch click does not. Everything else seems to be working fine and I have plugged a mouse into it. Is there anything I can do to get the mouse pad lower so I can close the screen. I’m worried if I force it back in it might d


many thanks in advance!

 

[icanhazmac]

How long was is unused? Was it plugged in the whole time? Looks like battery swell but I never saw a trackpad like that.

 

[LeeW]

Indeed, the immediate thought I had is that the battery has swollen underneath. Take the cover off and see but I am sure that will be the answer.

 

[Surfnutt89]

Thanks both. It was unused for at least a year. It wasn’t plugged in though. I’m not sure how to take the cover off but will google it and see if I can push it back down. Just didn’t want to push it down onto something else and fry the whole thing. Think I need to save for a new one though!

 

[GrumpyCoder]

Either someone took a hammer to it or a swollen battery. I'd bet on the latter.

Edit: In any case, do something about it. The battery is probably not going to stop there and further expand which can create a mess and in worst case fire.

 

[Surfnutt89]

Don’t suppose anyone knows if a swollen battery is a sign that it’s going to fry the rest of it anytime soon?

 

[LeeW]

Don’t suppose anyone knows if a swollen battery is a sign that it’s going to fry the rest of it anytime soon?

No, all that appears to happen is that the battery has swollen, the pressure on the trackpad has caused it to break before then pushing it out of the frame.

You should get a new battery/trackpad for it ok and reasonably easy to replace. The rest of the machine should be fine.

 

[velocityg4]

Don’t suppose anyone knows if a swollen battery is a sign that it’s going to fry the rest of it anytime soon?

No, but check for structural damage. especially mount points for the trackpad.

Don’t try to pry or force the battery. As it’s much higher fire risk. Don’t charge the battery.

Replace or at least properly dispose of the battery ASAP.