Force touch not working - 2019 16" Macbook Pro

[patwithamac]

I have a 2019 16" Macbook Pro.
So far the machine has been working perfectly.
It doesn't get used as much as my daily driver. Mostly weekend, and off hours work.
I've started to notice that the trackpad is intermittently misbehaving.

Immediately upon waking the machine (opening the lid) all trackpad features work as expected.
But, after a little while the force touch gesture begins to malfunction.
To be clear, by "force touch" I mean that second haptic click you feel after you push a little harder after the initial haptic click.

Initially, the force touch gesture malfunction is focused to the area near the top edge of the trackpad (nearest the space bar), between the B and N keys. See the attached annotated graphic. Over time, the area/region of malfunction begins to expand outwards (left, right, and down). But, there are still areas near the far left, far right, and far bottom, where force touch does still work. The condition seems to get worse with rising temperature (for example watch videos the machine will get noticeably warmer). As even more time passes, and temperature rises more, even the initial haptic click (let alone the force touch) no longer works in that region.

Has anyone else encountered this?
How did you fix it?
Was it a matter if physically disassembling, and cleaning?
Or just a matter of failed trackpad electronics, that needs to be replaced?

 

[patwithamac]

I think I figured out what's going on here... the battery is swelling. And as the system warms up the swelling becomes more pronounced.

I set a straight edge across the top case, just below the space bar... lookie there, the top case is bulging.
The swollen battery is interfering with the operation of the touchpad's strain gauges. So, they can't detect the force being applied when I push on it with my finger. Thus, the force touch gesture is not being recognized. Doink

Crap... I guess I'll be putting a new battery in this machine.

 

[patwithamac]

For historical reference, here is a screenie of the battery details, as reported by coconut.
As seen here. The battery is almost exactly three years old. And a cycle count of 99. Pretty light duty IMO.

 

[patwithamac]

Finished replacing the battery with an iFixit replacement part.
The process is quite involved, but went smoothly.
The trackpad is working perfectly once again.

See the attached picture of the severely swollen battery packs, just before removal.

 

[acorntoy]

Very surprised the battery crapped out that early with little use.

Makes me worried as I have an 2020 Air with a DSY battery with about the same minimal use, thank you for posting what you found.

 

[MacManiac76]

Apple probably would have replaced the battery packs either under warranty or as a manufacturer defect at no charge.

 

[ptfuzi]

Less than 3 years usually is covered by warranty

 

[patwithamac]

Apple probably would have replaced the battery packs either under warranty or as a manufacturer defect at no charge.

Unfortunately, coverage on this machine expired the first week of May

 

[MacManiac76]

Unfortunately, coverage on this machine expired the first week of May

It never hurts to ask, even out of warranty. Just look at the past issues with defective screens and keyboards that they covered regardless of warranty status.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote (and posted pic):
"See the attached picture of the severely swollen battery packs, just before removal."

A question:
Are you one of those folks who leaves the charger plugged in all the time...?

 

[patwithamac]

OP wrote (and posted pic):
"See the attached picture of the severely swollen battery packs, just before removal."

A question:
Are you one of those folks who leaves the charger plugged in all the time...?

I am one of those folks

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"I am one of those folks"

Then I suggest that you "change your ways", because leaving it on charge all the time caused the battery to swell up.

Recommendations:
- 3 times a week (or 4), unplug the charger and let the battery drop down to 40-45%. Then, reconnect
- Each night, UNPLUG the charger from the wall, plug it back in the next morning. Do this whether you shut it down or "sleep it" through the night.
Doing these things will "exercise" the battery and prevent it from overcharging and swelling up (again)...