TrackPad Click Bar Fails!

[joegomolski]

Hello fellow MBA'ers,

Yesterday I was using my MacBook Air. And I began to hear a loud click, when I clicked on the trackpad, click bar.

It's a mechanical sound, it actually comes from the click bar, but only on the left side. I couldn't figure it out, but my son was at home, and he did.

The left side of the click bar has raised up a tiny bit, maybe a 1/64th of an inch. The right side remains flush.

Apparently something underneath the click bar has broken, or whatever, and allows the left side to float.

So when I click, the sound I hear comes from the raised end of the click bar, as it travels up and down.

Anyone see a similar problem?

I'm going down to the Apple Store tomorrow morning to see a "Genius".

What are my chances that they'll replace my MBA, rather than sending it to neverneverland?

 

[al82]

I had this with my first MBA and replaced it. For £1200 i dont expect to hear a metally clank.

 

[joegomolski]

I quite agree.

When I first heard it I tried to pretend it was the normal sound. Called the "hide your head in the sand" response.

But damm what an annoyance!

Of course I called AppleCare support. They told me nothing they can do about it, and they have never heard of the problem from anyone else!

So I'm off to Apple Pro Care tomorrow.

If that doesn't work, then it's straight to Apple Corporate Customer Relations.

 

[al82]

Are you stil within your first two weeks of purchase??

If so i have the solution for you.

I was worried they'd be idiots and say well thats hardly a fault. So i said im returning it because 2-3 times a day it just cuts out when on battery and shuts off.

Id rater say that than argue.

They know they have problems. When i had the black macbook the black coating started to peel off, before i got a chance to take it back it was stolen (insured though) when i got a replacement i told the woman what i had experienced, she said no one has heard of that kind of problem....24 hours later she heard of that kind of problem....then again 10 days after that.

 

[justforfun]

I was wondering if the OP was able to get this fixed. Just today I started to experience the exact same problem, but on the right side instead of the left. Something is definitely broken. It's quite annoying.

 

[iHerzeleid]

same here

my left side clicker is messed up on my week 3 MBA.

 

[PDE]

When I had a MBA, I didn't like the metal-sounding click noise so I opened it up and looked at the design of the trackpad, hoping to find a way to make it less noisy and uncomfortable to click. I inserted some paper underneath the click button and that helped a little with the noise. I seem to remember that there were two thin pieces of metal on each short side that act as springs for the button - perhaps one has broken or the screw that holds it in place is loose?

If you open it up (very easy and you don't need to do anything if you panic and can just screw the bottom back again), maybe you'll see what's wrong and can fix it yourself. at least it may be worth checking out anyway...

 

[joegomolski]

I quite agree.

When I first heard it I tried to pretend it was the normal sound. Called the "hide your head in the sand" response.

But damm what an annoyance!

Of course I called AppleCare support. They told me nothing they can do about it, and they have never heard of the problem from anyone else!

So I'm off to Apple Pro Care tomorrow.

If that doesn't work, then it's straight to Apple Corporate Customer Relations.

My trackpad did the same thing.

I called AppleCare, and they told me the same thing, can't do a thing.

So I went to my AppleStore, I have the ProCare, and the store replaced my MBA.

 

[justforfun]

My trackpad did the same thing.

I called AppleCare, and they told me the same thing, can't do a thing.

So I went to my AppleStore, I have the ProCare, and the store replaced my MBA.

LOL. You realize that YOU are the person to which you're comparing yourself. You're the thread starter. Too funny.

But thanks for updating us. I don't have ProCare, but I assume under the one year warranty this should be covered. I doubt I'll be as lucky as you to get a new one. They'll probably want to take it in for service, which means I'll be without it for weeks. Joy.

 

[joegomolski]

LOL. You realize that YOU are the person to which you're comparing yourself. You're the thread starter. Too funny.

But thanks for updating us. I don't have ProCare, but I assume under the one year warranty this should be covered. I doubt I'll be as lucky as you to get a new one. They'll probably want to take it in for service, which means I'll be without it for weeks. Joy.

Sometimes I feel like a dope, ...

The MBA is definitely covered for a year. They tried that on me, and I said "That's not acceptable, I want to talk to the manager". Repeated for several minutes. I told the manager I just got this and I don't want it repaired, I want a new one. Repeated very nicely, until they said OK.

 

[emeldahay]

Mines doing this - the right side is raised.

Theres an ugly clunkyclick noise. The left sounds normal.

I think I wont live with it and if I can get it fixed.

 

[justforfun]

Well, looks like my clickbar is now almost completely inoperable. It gets permanently stuck when I press it. Now I have to take it in. I've got a week 1, and have not experienced any problems with it. Up until now, that is. I doubt they're going to just replace it. Any idea how long it would take to repair? I really can't be without it. What's the solution? Buy another one while mine is away for repairs and just suck up the restocking fee?

 

[PDE]

Well, looks like my clickbar is now almost completely inoperable. It gets permanently stuck when I press it. Now I have to take it in. I've got a week 1, and have not experienced any problems with it. Up until now, that is. I doubt they're going to just replace it. Any idea how long it would take to repair? I really can't be without it. What's the solution? Buy another one while mine is away for repairs and just suck up the restocking fee?

Before you do anything, try opening the bottom case (very very easy and undetectable later) and checking the screws that attach the trackpad button - there are three screws on each side, one on the metal spring that attaches to the actual button on top and the other securing that metal 'spring' to the base. It is possible that the single screw has fallen out and, if not, you'll probably see what the problem is just by looking around there.

I'm in no way used to digging into expensive electronic machines, but this is super easy and may save you being without the machine.

 

[justforfun]

Before you do anything, try opening the bottom case (very very easy and undetectable later) and checking the screws that attach the trackpad button - there are three screws on each side, one on the metal spring that attaches to the actual button on top and the other securing that metal 'spring' to the base. It is possible that the single screw has fallen out and, if not, you'll probably see what the problem is just by looking around there.

I'm in no way used to digging into expensive electronic machines, but this is super easy and may save you being without the machine.

Thanks for the suggestion. I don't think I have such a small screw driver. And I'm not the type of person who should be digging around my computer. Heck, I barely know how to turn it on! I made an appointment for tomorrow at the genius bar. I'll see what they have to say.

This malfunctioning clickbar is sooooo annoying. Every time I press I it, I want to throw this beautiful machine out the window!!

 

[PDE]

Thanks for the suggestion. I don't think I have such a small screw driver. And I'm not the type of person who should be digging around my computer. Heck, I barely know how to turn it on! I made an appointment for tomorrow at the genius bar. I'll see what they have to say.

This malfunctioning clickbar is sooooo annoying. Every time I press I it, I want to throw this beautiful machine out the window!!

I totally understand. Hopefully it's an easy, fast fix. I have to say if there is one design aspect that I'd change immediately it is the trackpad button. Compared to the MBP (which is not my favorite either), it feels nasty: clicks feel different depending on where you press, the middle is noisier, the edges feel mushy and it doesn't inspire any kind of confidence. It's just a really poor trackpad button. I tried quite a few at the Apple Store and they were all bad in different ways - very inconsistently bad though. It also feels too narrow for comfort. Don't know what they could have done differently with the design, but this can't be the best Apple can come up with.


Let's hope this is not something systemic.

 

[justforfun]

well, the deed is done. my beloved macbook air was ripped out of my hands. kidnapped while I was just standing there, helpless. I am promised I will see it again in 5-7 business days, hopefully with a working clickbar. I'm so sad. so alone. I'm forced to use this ancient 2005 iBook. It's like an inch thick. And weighs 5 lbs! Come one! What century am I living in? I wouldn't wish this fate upon my worst enemies.

 

[SunshinegotaMac]

I now have the same problem and I'm on the road. Please keep us posted.

 

[justforfun]

UPDATE

As previously posted, took my Air to the genius bar last night, Saturday, at 7pm. Was told it would take 5-7 business days to get it back. Well, at 2pm today, Sunday, I get a call that it's ready!! Wow. 19 hour turn around time over a weekend. Very impressive. Turns out they had to replace the entire topcase. So, there you have it.

 

[AstroHouse]

UPDATE

As previously posted, took my Air to the genius bar last night, Saturday, at 7pm. Was told it would take 5-7 business days to get it back. Well, at 2pm today, Sunday, I get a call that it's ready!! Wow. 19 hour turn around time over a weekend. Very impressive. Turns out they had to replace the entire topcase. So, there you have it.

Congratulations on your repair. It's good to hear of such instances of customer service. Let's hope the repair solves the problem.

 

[SunshinegotaMac]

Wow!!! What is the topcase and is the problem all gone?

 

[Santa Rosa]

UPDATE

As previously posted, took my Air to the genius bar last night, Saturday, at 7pm. Was told it would take 5-7 business days to get it back. Well, at 2pm today, Sunday, I get a call that it's ready!! Wow. 19 hour turn around time over a weekend. Very impressive. Turns out they had to replace the entire topcase. So, there you have it.

Seems like a large repair for a problem located in a particular area. Good to hear you got it sorted though, stuff like that is extremely extremely annoying, I get annoyed by even a bit of dust on my screen!!

 

[SunshinegotaMac]

Well there you have it. Clicker completely inoperable. Took 10 days I guess.

 

[mike000]

hope that doesnt happen to me

 

[eddietr]

The same thing happened to mine within the first week. I got a replacement MBA at the Apple Store.

Now it's happening again on the new one on the right side.

But, the good news I've gotten used to the tap to click now.

 

[iHerzeleid]

The same thing happened to mine within the first week. I got a replacement MBA at the Apple Store.

Now it's happening again on the new one on the right side.

But, the good news I've gotten used to the tap to click now.

when did you originally buy yours?