Trackpad is sticky but still works? Help?

[livelaughlx3ve]

I must of spilt a little bit of something sticky on my trackpad a while back, but now it's acting up. Right now it still registers like I can move the mouse and stuff and I'm able to left click although it isn't as "clickable" as it was before and left clicking isn't working. Is there a way to clean the stickiness? I'm at a university with no close apple store by and our campus computer store charges a ridiculous amount. Any input would be great! I have a MacBook Pro is one whole track pad. There's not distinct buttons for right and left.

 

[magamo]

I don't know how to get rid of the sticky substance off of your trackpad, but I guess you can turn on the Tap-to-Click function as a temporary fix until you get your laptop fixed by Apple or some other store. It's in the trackpad config in the system preference.

 

[bdodds1985]

do you clean it? i would start there.

 

[Cosarz]

If you have a screen cleaner you can use the spray and spray it on the trackpad. It worked for me

 

[Arelunde]

There are little packets available that have damp lint-free cloths inside them for cleaning glasses. Similar products are available for cleaning computer parts and screens - likely the dampness is an alcohol-based liquid so it doesn't short out the electronics. I recommend using something like that to clean the trackpad. Any goop on there is going to interfere with its ability to sense where your fingers are.

Another option - which requires GREAT care - is to LIGHTLY spray a paper towel with a grease-free surface cleaner such as Windex and then wipe the trackpad with the dampened paper towel. DO NOT spray directly onto the trackpad (or any other part of the computer).

 

[mfuchs88]

Yeah no biggie, just put a little bit of water on a soft paper towel to make it slightly damp, then wipe it down and continue on. It's an aluminum and glass computer, not a nuclear reactor, lol. Cheers!

 

[Eliz]

Colored trackpad

Hi all, sorry for interrupting. I recently realized that my trackpad is slightly yellowish and rusty although it works fine. Should I be worried about this? Or should I get a new one? Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[Dark Void]

Hi all, sorry for interrupting. I recently realized that my trackpad is slightly yellowish and rusty although it works fine. Should I be worried about this? Or should I get a new one? Any suggestions? Thanks.

I think you are referring to discoloring from sweat and what not - it's certainly not rust. I'm not sure how much luck you will have cleaning that especially with water - try some rubbing alcohol gently to see if you can remove anything.

 

[Eliz]

I think you are referring to discoloring from sweat and what not - it's certainly not rust. I'm not sure how much luck you will have cleaning that especially with water - try some rubbing alcohol gently to see if you can remove anything.

Thanx... I cleaned it with a li'l alcohol but it's still there... Guess I'll just wait till it stops working. will use my magic mouse till then.

 

[yusukeaoki]

Is it inside of the trackpad or outside?