How to Fix a Mac Trackpad That Won't Click

Troubleshoot and fix an unresponsive Mac trackpad with these direct, system-level adjustments to your settings and hardware configurations.

1. Adjust click pressure settings. Navigate to System Settings and select Trackpad from the sidebar. Under the Point & Click tab, adjust the Click pressure slider to 'Light'. If the trackpad registers a click, the sensor threshold was likely set too high for your current usage.
2. Check for conflicting external devices. Disconnect all Bluetooth and USB input devices, including external mice and graphics tablets. macOS may disable the internal trackpad if it detects an active peripheral or if a wireless mouse is obstructed in your bag. Once disconnected, test the trackpad click response again.
3. Reset the macOS trackpad preference files. Open Terminal and enter 'defaults delete com.apple.AppleMultitouchTrackpad' followed by 'defaults delete com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothMultitouch.trackpad'. Press Enter after each command to purge potentially corrupted configuration files. Restart your Mac immediately to force the system to generate new preferences.
4. Inspect for battery swelling. Place your MacBook on a flat surface to check if the bottom chassis is warped or if the trackpad sits flush with the palm rest. If the trackpad appears slightly raised or fails to click physically, the internal battery may be expanding. Stop using the device immediately and seek professional service, as this is a hardware safety hazard.
5. Verify software and firmware status. Navigate to System Settings, click General, and select Software Update. Install any available macOS updates or firmware patches, as these often contain driver fixes for input hardware. If updates are unavailable, confirm your Mac is not running in Safe Mode, which can sometimes limit trackpad driver functionality.