MacBook Air (early 2015) trackpad not found

G

GOA

macrumors newbie
Hello all,

I recently got a used MacBook Air (early 2015). I also have an older MacBook Pro (mid 2012). Use the same appleid for both MacBooks to login to my own account. I then created a new account for a family member on the new MacBook Air. However, when I use my own account on the MacBook Air, I can tap-to-click. But with the new account, the tap-to-click not available. Went to sys prefs to set up the tap-to-click for the newly created account. But when I click on trackpad, it reports the trackpad not found! It then searches for bluetooth trackpad, which I don't have. Yet I can use the "not-found" trackpad to move the pointer, scroll up or down, select and open a link by hard press, etc.

Few days ago the new MacBook Air was upgraded to Monterey OS, i.e. the latest version of OS. The trackpad problem remained the same. I then performed resetting of SMC. Trackpad problem not resolved. Then safe boot. Trackpad still not found. Normal boot. Trackpad still not found.

The battery on the new MacBook Air is dead and the machine can only be used while plugged in. I don't think this can be the cause of the trackpad problem, because, if that is the case, why is it that can I tap-to-click using my own appleid on the new machine but not with the new account? Was some setting imported from old MacBook Pro into the new machine which makes it work as it should? If that is the case, where do I find this user setting and how can I replicate the same behaviour for the new account?

Thank you for your feedback
 
Two lines of thought from me:

  1. Does it work if you create yet another new account? Very strange that the NEW account is the one affected.
  2. Old batteries swell and they're under the trackpad. Doesn't explain the account differences but keep an eye on it.
 
Thanks for your feedback.

New account on the MBA or new account on the older MBP and then import / use on the newer MBA?
 
GOA said:
Thanks for your feedback.

New account on the MBA or new account on the older MBP and then import / use on the newer MBA?
Click to expand...
Make a test account on the newer, problematic MBA.

Was the account that's having trouble a migrated one?
 
BrianBaughn said:
Make a test account on the newer, problematic MBA.

Was the account that's having trouble a migrated one?
Click to expand...
Test account created on newer MBA. Tap-to-edit option can still not be activated as "Trackpad not found" is displayed.

For now, a "hardware failure" could be imagined as a viable explanation. If one day, the battery is replaced and the "trackpad not found" message disappears, it can then be claimed, with certainty, that defective battery was the root cause. This however, gives the impression that MacBook machines are unreliable and somewhat flimsy.
 
The inconsistency between the new and your migrated account is very odd.

What if you create a new account on the old MBP and then migrate it to the new MBA?

GOA said:
If one day, the battery is replaced and the "trackpad not found" message disappears, it can then be claimed, with certainty, that defective battery was the root cause. This however, gives the impression that MacBook machines are unreliable and somewhat flimsy.
Click to expand...
Not to mention "dangerous" if the battery is swelling.
 
BrianBaughn said:
The inconsistency between the new and your migrated account is very odd.

What if you create a new account on the old MBP and then migrate it to the new MBA?


Not to mention "dangerous" if the battery is swelling.
Click to expand...
I may try to create new account as suggested, but it'll have to be sometime later next year.
In the meantime, as a matter of curiosity, why would it be dangerous? If so, would I be able to remove the battery and continue using the machine while plugged in? Just to make the machine safe and inoffensive. It seems opening these machines are not easy.
 
GOA said:
I may try to create new account as suggested, but it'll have to be sometime later next year.
In the meantime, as a matter of curiosity, why would it be dangerous? If so, would I be able to remove the battery and continue using the machine while plugged in? Just to make the machine safe and inoffensive. It seems opening these machines are not easy.
Click to expand...
Swelling batteries pose a fire hazard if they explode. Yes, you could open the case and remove the battery on that machine. You would need a special P5 bit to get the case bottom screws out, and I forget which bit to get the battery loose... And yes, you can run the machine without the battery connected, however, with the MagSafe connector made to disconnect if somewhat pulled, you do run the risk of being in the middle of something on the machine and it getting powered off and you lose what data wasn't saved...
 
According to iFixit.com the battery replacement procedure takes 15 minutes. Their replacement batteries are $68 but you can get it anywhere you feel is OK.
 
BrianBaughn said:
According to iFixit.com the battery replacement procedure takes 15 minutes. Their replacement batteries are $68 but you can get it anywhere you feel is OK.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I ordered one from them and it worked fine. Easy. Then I spilled a glass of wine in it...ugh... I now keep liquids far away from this replacement machine..
 
UPDATE:

I removed the battery. The machine now runs only when plugged in. So far, so good. Examined the battery pack and it seems ok. No bulging or deformity observed.

The battery is now removed and there is no hardware to put pressure or distort the trackpad. Performed resetting of SMC. Yet sys prefs reports trackpad not found. So the problem must lie somewhere else. Where? Mystery.

Shall invest in a new battery with the hope of resolving this mystery. Must wait and see, unless there is something else that must or can be done in the meantime.
 
UPDATE 2:

Installed a new battery. "Trackpad not found" message disappeared. Tap-to-click is now available and activated. It seems the faulty battery or lack of it, was the main reason behind this odd occurrence.
 
GOA said:
UPDATE 2:

Installed a new battery. "Trackpad not found" message disappeared. Tap-to-click is now available and activated. It seems the faulty battery or lack of it, was the main reason behind this odd occurrence.
Click to expand...
Good, happy that worked!
 
GOA said:
UPDATE 2:

Installed a new battery. "Trackpad not found" message disappeared. Tap-to-click is now available and activated. It seems the faulty battery or lack of it, was the main reason behind this odd occurrence.
Click to expand...
Interesting... Well, glad you got it working. I would not have thought the battery or lack of would present that situation..
 
xboxbml said:
Interesting... Well, glad you got it working. I would not have thought the battery or lack of would present that situation..
Click to expand...
True. Replacing the battery did the job but it doesn't answer questions like:
  1. What is the relationship between the trackpad and the battery?​
  2. Why the tap-to-click was available to my user id (despite faulty battery) and not available to new users on the same machine?​
Maybe Apple can answer someday.
 
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