Macbook Pro 14 Trackpad Issues Hardware or Software?

[JUBK]

The same thing for we, I reproduced on 3 of 3 MBP 14, but on MBP 16 it works fine. But when I tried to return my MBP to the store, they said they couldn't reproduce it (even with attached video) and returned back to me Maybe software update will solve this issue.

I just left the Genius Bar at my local store for this same quirky trackpad issue. I also chatted AND had a phone call with screen share before I went to my appointment. It has plagued me from the time I unboxed and booted up. At my store appointment, after a LOT of checking this, recalibrating that, the technician decided to search around on the internet and found the info here (thanks to you guys!!!) and will hopefully at least begin to inform all the techs at that store. FWIW, as you all are seeing, he was able to replicate the issue on a 14" but NOT the 16" in the store, and observed the issue on my MBP 14" also. His take is that he is "90% sure it is a software (or perhaps firmware) issue and not hardware)" but we will hopefully know for sure soon! He put a LOT of notes on my account. I have the base model 14". Curious if it's on all 14" configurations. Hopefully we can all make enough noise and Apple will get this fixed for us!

Do you guys this have the issue? I still have it and noticed that the F3-Key is also not working, when the issue occurs. I have to restart my MBP 14 (April 2022) in order to get rid of it....

 

[melodrake]

Bit late to add here but I’m also having the same issues on my MBP14 since I got it in Feb and despite all software updates it is still the same. Will continue to monitor. It is a bit annoying but I’ve learnt to get around it by holding the command button then moving the cursor before tapping. Not really ideal.

 

[suisse]

Same problem here MBP 14" - Using it to open new tabs in Safari and have to click it 2-3 times to open the link in new tab(cmd + tap click)

didn't follow the entire thread but I have this on my brand new 14"
Do you know if that's HW or SW?

 

[debstars]

This issue is extremely annoying and persists even after the latest MacOS 12.4 update. I have done extensive testing on a large number of M1 MBPs and can confirm that this problem is found on to the smaller trackpad on the 13" and 14" M1 MBPs not the 16" model. This, and the fact that Apple hasn't fixed this yet via updates, leads me to think that it's actually a hardware issue that they won't admit. Side-by-side comparison of the 14" and 16" trackpads leaves me with the impression that the smaller trackpad has a slightly more coarse (or more "non-stick) surface that doesn't register finger touch as well as the larger trackpad. This means that the computer misses taps as well as has an overall inferior drag function. I have confirmed the following issues on a relatively large number of 14" M1 MBPs. Likewise, I have not yet found a 14" M1 MBP that doesn't have the issue.

Issues:

1) Multiple taps with modifier keys, e.g. selecting ranges or individual files in Finder with shift or cmd, 2nd tap consistently fails unless one waits 1-2 seconds after pressing the modifier key.

2) Double taps frequently fail, or only one tap is registered twice, so the file is renamed instead of opened.

3) Pinch-to-zoom works unreliably and often loses one finger during a motion, stopping the zoom and just moving the cursor from that point.

4) Cmd+tap to open a link in a new tab in Safari fails consistently.

5) Dragging (tap-tap-hold and drag) works unreliably.

6) Double-tapping to select a word fails frequently.

 

[marstan]

This issue is extremely annoying and persists even after the latest MacOS 12.4 update. I have done extensive testing on a large number of M1 MBPs and can confirm that this problem is found on to the smaller trackpad on the 13" and 14" M1 MBPs not the 16" model. This, and the fact that Apple hasn't fixed this yet via updates, leads me to think that it's actually a hardware issue that they won't admit. Side-by-side comparison of the 14" and 16" trackpads leaves me with the impression that the smaller trackpad has a slightly more coarse (or more "non-stick) surface that doesn't register finger touch as well as the larger trackpad. This means that the computer misses taps as well as has an overall inferior drag function. I have confirmed the following issues on a relatively large number of 14" M1 MBPs. Likewise, I have not yet found a 14" M1 MBP that doesn't have the issue.

Issues:

1) Multiple taps with modifier keys, e.g. selecting ranges or individual files in Finder with shift or cmd, 2nd tap consistently fails unless one waits 1-2 seconds after pressing the modifier key.

2) Double taps frequently fail, or only one tap is registered twice, so the file is renamed instead of opened.

3) Pinch-to-zoom works unreliably and often loses one finger during a motion, stopping the zoom and just moving the cursor from that point.

4) Cmd+tap to open a link in a new tab in Safari fails consistently.

5) Dragging (tap-tap-hold and drag) works unreliably.

6) Double-tapping to select a word fails frequently.

That is some good and useful reporting. It confirms what I experience in the local store. I surely will stay away from the 14" MBP based on this finding.

 

[jav6454]

This issue is extremely annoying and persists even after the latest MacOS 12.4 update. I have done extensive testing on a large number of M1 MBPs and can confirm that this problem is found on to the smaller trackpad on the 13" and 14" M1 MBPs not the 16" model. This, and the fact that Apple hasn't fixed this yet via updates, leads me to think that it's actually a hardware issue that they won't admit. Side-by-side comparison of the 14" and 16" trackpads leaves me with the impression that the smaller trackpad has a slightly more coarse (or more "non-stick) surface that doesn't register finger touch as well as the larger trackpad. This means that the computer misses taps as well as has an overall inferior drag function. I have confirmed the following issues on a relatively large number of 14" M1 MBPs. Likewise, I have not yet found a 14" M1 MBP that doesn't have the issue.

Issues:

1) Multiple taps with modifier keys, e.g. selecting ranges or individual files in Finder with shift or cmd, 2nd tap consistently fails unless one waits 1-2 seconds after pressing the modifier key.

2) Double taps frequently fail, or only one tap is registered twice, so the file is renamed instead of opened.

3) Pinch-to-zoom works unreliably and often loses one finger during a motion, stopping the zoom and just moving the cursor from that point.

4) Cmd+tap to open a link in a new tab in Safari fails consistently.

5) Dragging (tap-tap-hold and drag) works unreliably.

6) Double-tapping to select a word fails frequently.

13" MBP? I haven't seen that issue in mine. I have tried replicating that and nothing.

 

[synergize]

That is some good and useful reporting. It confirms what I experience in the local store. I surely will stay away from the 14" MBP based on this finding.

It seems like the problem with the track-pad is getting worse, sometimes just clicking to select or close a file takes multiple tries, Apple best find a remedy for this, it's gone on long enough already.

 

[suisse]

13" MBP? I haven't seen that issue in mine. I have tried replicating that and nothing.

on the MBA M1 also never had that issue, It's related to the new models only

 

[jav6454]

on the MBA M1 also never had that issue, It's related to the new models only

Well, that makes sense.

 

[debstars]

I don't have a lot of experience with the 13" M1 MBP, so I may be wrong, but I did find the same issue on the store model I tested. I also noticed that the 13" and 14" models have the same (size) trackpad), which makes it more likely that they suffer the same issue. But like I said, I've only tested that one model.

 

[georgechew]

Greetings,
I'm on MBP M1P 14". My issues are of not able to swipe with 4 fingers. It need a restart, and it is ok, then after 1 day or 2 (I don't daily shut down my Mac), this issue returns. It was good for first few months when I bought it until I can't recall after which OS update.

 

[Dmr6186]

Checking to see if anyone else has the below trackpad issue with the 14" MBP. Otherwise I am going to take it in. My fiancé has a 13" M1 MBA, fully updated software, has never had this issue with her computer, and it's over a year old.

The trackpad will "stick" as if I'm constantly clicking and holding with 1 or 2 fingers. It becomes completely unusable at this point. The only way to reset it is to restart the computer by holding the Ctrl+Command+Power button keys. I talked to an Apple support rep, who recommended booting in Safe Mode, which does correct the problem. However, I should not have to use a brand new top of the line laptop in safe mode at all times.

 

[suisse]

Anybody with MacOS (ace) Ventura could check if they've fixed it?

 

[bsmr]

Glad I found this thread. But it's really annoying as I also have this issue.

So it's better to give the 14" back to the seller, as it probably never will will be solved?

 

[bsmr]

Anybody with MacOS (ace) Ventura could check if they've fixed it?

That would be nice...

 

[doolar]

There’s of course a possibility that this is a hardware issue, but I hope not. I have AppleCare+ this time so I’m not to worried either way. I mostly use my 14” with mouse and keyboard, but of course I want this solved!

Also looking forward to see if Ventura fixes it.

 

[vreedom]

Installed ventura beta…issue persists. Sorry guys :/

 

[doolar]

Installed ventura beta…issue persists. Sorry guys :/

Thanks for sharing, too bad it persists. I'm going to book an appointment with my Apple Store regarding this after Ventura is released. If only for them to have another report so this can be fixed hopefully in the coming months.

 

[cygy2k]

Any updates on this? Any sign the M2 Air has a similar problem? 12.5 fix anything? 13 latest beta fix anything?

 

[the3rdParty]

MBP 14", M1 Pro, 10 Cores. 12.5 Fixed it for me! 😀

Prior to this update, the only work-around I had found that worked was to use an external keyboard & trackpad. I have a logitech MX keys for Mac keyboard and both an original apple trackpad (the one with 2x AA batteries) and a more recent apple magic trackpad. With either external trackpad the MBP worked fine and responded as it should to all tap-clicks with any modifier key.

Last month I spent some time with Apple support doing diagnostics, including clean system install in a new partition, uploading of data & logs using their DataCapture app and making simultaneous videos showing the problem as data was being captured. The conclusion from Apple that was related by the support technician was that it was software related and "would be resolved in a future system update". Finally this has happened.

 

[doolar]

MBP 14", M1 Pro, 10 Cores. 12.5 Fixed it for me! 😀

Prior to this update, the only work-around I had found that worked was to use an external keyboard & trackpad. I have a logitech MX keys for Mac keyboard and both an original apple trackpad (the one with 2x AA batteries) and a more recent apple magic trackpad. With either external trackpad the MBP worked fine and responded as it should to all tap-clicks with any modifier key.

Last month I spent some time with Apple support doing diagnostics, including clean system install in a new partition, uploading of data & logs using their DataCapture app and making simultaneous videos showing the problem as data was being captured. The conclusion from Apple that was related by the support technician was that it was software related and "would be resolved in a future system update". Finally this has happened.

Can’t wait to verify when I get home!

And confirmed to be solved on my 14" too! Hooraay!!

 

[AlumaMac]

3) Pinch-to-zoom works unreliably and often loses one finger during a motion, stopping the zoom and just moving the cursor from that point.

Just an FYI, my new MBP 16" (12.5) has this issue, have not had any issues with tapping. This seems to be a software issue since my external Apple trackpad also exhibits the same behavior, although not as frequent. Same trackpad works flawlessly under Catalina.

 

[iRYO400]

Just joined to Macrumors to tell that upgrading from 12.4 to 12.6 ( skipped .5) fixed the issue at least in the Photos. Struggled since I bought it.

Running on MBP 14 Silver

P.S. It was hard to find this thread, most of the web results were related to broken touchpads.

 

[alitaliano]

Hi, I am currently running macOS 12.6 on a 14" MacBook Pro.
I have this problem with the trackpad... There was no problem with my MacBook Air M1.
Am I the only one for whom the problem persists despite you say that 12.5 resolved it ?

 

[6916494]

I have two MPB Pro 16 inch and one MPB Pro 14 inch and the trackpad of the 14 inch is a constant trouble by not recognising certain taps. Especially troublesome is marking several objects (press and hold down and move) – this is most often no recognised. All versions of Monterey and now also on Ventura. Frustrating to say the least.