Trackpad clicking noise

This might be a little hard to explain so please bare with me. My trackpad is working fine but it's making a strange noise that happens on the mouse button. It makes a slight clicking noise before actually clicking the button. It almost feels like it's hanging or catching on something so very slightly. The clicking noise is mainly an annoyance problem but I would just like to know if there's any way to make it go away. Thanks.

Hi jthompson,
Welcome to the forum.
I would pop down to the local Apple Store or any independent Apple Authorised Service Provider (AASP) and let one of their technicians/Geniuses look at it. It very much sounds like the top cover needs to be removed and a minor adjustment made around the trackpad area. If it's still under warranty or you have AppleCare there should be no charge for this.
Kryten

Similar Messages

Trackpad clicking noise - Helix

I have a Helix i5 machine and I noticed over the past month the trackpad has a clicking noise when pressing on it lightly (not the full click). What happens is if you want to fully click the trackpad down if will then make 2 clicking noises. It seems like there's something sticking or stuck with the trackpad. Does anyone have any similar issues?

I have the exact some problem. I dont know why it does it, but it does sound like something is stuck in it.

Trackpad click noise

I'm pretty certain I'm gunna get me one of these 17 inchers. Just gunna wait till i can feel it out properly in the flesh when they hit the stores. The one thing that has put me off a bit thhough, something that I have noticed on the smaller unibody models is the loud tinny click of the trackpad. I imagine its going to be the same with the 17 inch model. Are any of you new owners finding this at all annoying? Also it looks as though there might be a lot of space for your hands to stretch over befor they reach the keyboard. Is this uncomfortable after a while? These sort of ergonomic issues are always paramount to me, especially if I'm going to part with such a hefty sum.
thanks

Hi there, welcome to Apple Discussions!
The click is louder than previous Macbooks and MacBook Pros, but I have found that it gets a bit softer over time. However, I almost never click mine physically because the tap to click functionality works so well. It almost never misses a tap, or a drag, or a scroll. I'd say it works perfectly at least 99% of the time, which is a lot more than I can say for any other trackpad I've ever used. This is because of the glass that is now used, and the multitouch technology that is the same as is used in the iPhone. If you've ever used an iPhone or an iPod touch, the trackpads in these machines are just as responsive to any gesture or tap.
As far as stretching a long way over the palmrests... just pull the machine a little closer to you or sit up straighter. I find the palmrests on mine quite comfortable. But, if you think this is going to be an issue I'd encourage you to visit an Apple store or reseller and try it out for yourself.
Good luck with the purchase and ask more questions if you have them!
--Travis

17" Macbook Pro Noise & Trackpad Click Sound

Hi all,
I just got a new 17" MBP delivered from Apple, its a fantastic computer. I've upgraded from a Titanium Powerbook.
I notice when I move the new Macbook I hear a sound like a light saber from the left side, very low, its only apparent when the device is tilted, I assume its the HD, (I haven't installed the ssd in my signature yet, so still on the 7200 stock HD), is this normal, I never heard it from my Powerbook?
Also the trackpad click noise and feel are not the same as the ones in my local apple supplier, I have a noticeable click sound pressing the trackpad, and some slight resistance before the click engages, but the store ones I tried have no resistance before the click engaging and there is no audiable click from the trackpad. Is this because mine is new? Will mine go "soft" like the store models I tried?

Hi,
Regarding the "click" sound: as was already mentioned, there should be some click and resistance in your trackpad, specifically as you move down the pad from top to bottom. If you're convinced that these are more audible and resistant than they should be, you may be right: when I first got a unibody MacBook in early 2007, I had to return it to the Mac Store immediately because of a similar problem, and they ended up replacing the entire chassis as a result. Unfortunately, the same problem ended up coming back again, and I obstinately decided to live with it instead of doing the right thing and having it fixed, so I dealt with a progressively loud trackpad for the next few years.
My advice: if it doesn't feel right, make an appointment with your nearest Mac Store and have them look at it. It won't cost you anything, and the worst that can happen is that they tell you it's fine (which you can again verify while at the same store by trying other machines of the same make and model).

My 2012 MacBook Pro fell and it now makes a clicking noise and shows a grey screen on startup. I'm afraid the hard drive is damaged. Is their anyway to still back up my hard drive even if it doesn't turn on all the way?

So my late 2012 MacBook Pro was sitting on my desk when the desk collapsed. The computer fell with it and I was quite scared at the moment, but thankfully I opened it up and it worked perfectly fine again.
I was later watching a YouTube video and pressed the back button. The screen then froze, and I could not force quit safari. Then this weird clicking noise started to happen. It was coming from the right of the trackpad. That's when I decided to force shutdown the computer with the power button.
I let it sit and then decided to turn it back on. The clicking noise then came back and there was just a blank screen on the boot up. Eventually a grey folder with a question mark started flashing on the screen. That was all it did so I decided to turn it off again.
I'm going to take it into the Apple store ASAP, but I'm curious if my hard drive is damaged and if I will need a new one, which would erase everything on my Mac. So I was wondering if there is anyway to back up the hard driver even if it doesn't boot up all the way, or turn on the computer all the way.
P.S. I have never backed up my hard drive so I wouldn't know what to do.

You may have damaged the HDD which is located in that spot. I would take it in for service.

Click-noise every 5-30 sec

I've had my MacBook 2ghz regular Late 2008, for about 2 weeks and I've started to notice an annoying sound/noise from (I think) the right corner beside the trackpad and the Optical Drive. My guess is the HDD?
It's actually pretty hard to describe, but it's like a very silent clicking noise coming every 5-30 sec, when using it or not using it (still turned on, though). In my class at day I do not notice it, only at home all alone - not listening to music.
You only hear it in quiet conditions, but I'm pretty much a perfectionist, and this is starting to bother me when trying to focus on something in silence.
Is this an fatal error, or normal? I've tried to look around the forum, and found something looking like it, but I do not like installing some unknown software or keeping the HDD on all the time - like to save batterylife (how do you see when the HDD is being "used" or not?)
Do anyone know this problem, maybe a proper resolve or should i turn it to AppleCare? (Live in DK)
I really hope someone can help me with this. Thanks in advance

http://www.dougitdesign.com/blog.html
11.25.08: Does your hard drive (HDD) ever sound like little mice are playing table tennis inside of it? Or, why your notebook computer's HDD is pre-programmed for quick failure.
My most recent and fresh complaint with Apple has to do with an annoying clicking sound coming from the hard drive (HDD) of my early 2008 Macbook. This is not to be confused with a much louder and constant clicking sound of a soon-to-fail HDD. This is a more subtile, yet annoying click that is most obvious when the computer is not under heavy processing use. I just purchased this product directly from Apple as a refurbished unit. Although the machine is technically a refurb., it is actually completely new, at least the HDD was, as that is easy to check. This "click" sound is yet another example of when a "bug" is actually considered a "feature."
It turns out that this "clicking" is part of a "power management system" that functions to save energy and, more importantly, generate less heat. For every "click" what is happening is the heads of the HDD are parking, and the disk platters begin to stop spinning. But then the HDD's heads quickly unpark, and then park again, and then unpark, and sometimes this happens every couple of seconds and becomes very annoying. It is most especially annoying when using a notebook computer in a very quiet setting. The click(s) can sound just like a ping pong ball being dropped on a hard surface.
This problem is most recognizable when one's computer does not have many applications in use, and is sitting in a fairly idle state, like when one is trying to read from a website through a browser, and not doing much else that will tax the CPU and the HDD. It is when the computer is in this state that the HDD manufacturer's (or is it Apple's/*nix's) power management system and the Operating system seem to not get along too well, and then come the click, click, clicks. What is most bizarre to me is that the clicks are somewhat random, at least to my limited knowledge. Sometimes, in what appear to be similar computer-use situations, there will be clicks, and sometimes no clicks.
This problem actually occurs on all Operating Systems based on Unix/Linux, including the Mac OS. As far as Windows is concerned, many say this problem does not exist, and some say it does. The folks who say that Windows Vista is not plagued with this problem claim it is because the OS accesses the HDD so very often, like every 4 seconds at a minimum, the HDD's aggressive power management scheme never has a chance to kick-in and sleep the HDD and park the heads. Whereas the Mac OS Leopard 10.5 may access, or touch, the HDD every 8 seconds at the least, allowing the HDD's over aggressive power management to sleep the drive (hence park the heads, and make an audible "click") every few seconds. The same seems to apply to open source distros of Linux, however they seem to be on top of a fix. Maybe this is because the average linux user is quite computer-saavy, unlike today's average Mac user.
This issue is not just about an annoying noise emitting from the HDD, all those clicks might be drastically shortening the life of the HDD. To computer geeks each one of those annoying ping-pong ball sounding clicks is known as a "LoadCycleCount" and every HDD manufactured has a limited number of allowable load cycle counts before the HDD fails! My particular drive will fail at around 600,000 load cycle counts. that number may seem high, but considering that the HDD in question is already at 22,731 "clicks" or load cycle counts (this number is easily ascertainable with the use of specific software) in under one month's use, well, do the math. My HDD is pre-programmed to fail in 2 years. Many people have reported a much higher rate of accumulated "clicks" than my HDD has. I have an old external 80 gig firewire HDD that is running strong after 8 years of use!
The big mystery here is who is to blame? It is either the OS manufacturers, i.e. Apple, Windows, Ubuntu, or we need to look at the manufacturers of the HDD's themselves. I actually think they both are to share the blame.
There are numerous forum threads running all over the web about this issue. Here are links to some of the best: (there are also many great threads at Apple's support forums, however Apple will not allow me to create a working link to those threads. Bad Apple, bad.)
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=591503
http://forums.macrumors.com/archive/index.php/t-258751.html
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Trackpad Clicking Issues

I'm having some issues with my trackpad on my late 2011 13" MacBook Pro. The trackpad works fine as far as I can tell if it's being held in my lap. However, if I hold the laptop from the bottom right corner (where the sleep light is), it seems like the trackpad get depressed. When I try to click on the trackpad, it doesn't make a clicking noise like it does when I'm holding it in my lap. Also, when I move the mouse around in this position, it selects things as if I clicked and dragged the mouse around.
I'm wondering if this is an issue because I've had this since March of 2012 and have never had this happen to me before. I've also noticed that when in my lap and I click on the trackpad, it seems not as intense as before. Is this just the trackpad wearing out or something? If I hold the laptop in the bottom left corner (near the battery level button is) the click seems to come back as strong as it was before.

Have you tried to uncheck ''Ignore accidental trackpad input'' ?
It's solved for me some problems you've mentioned.

Clicking Noise in Macbook Pro...

Hello there!
I bought a 17' Macbook Pro over summer 2011, it was fine until the night of the Solar Flare and now, left of the mousepad/trackpad, there is a constant clicking noise. It never stops. Should I be concerned? I do not want to send it to be repaired. Is there something I can do by taking the back off of it? Sending it across the country is not very appealing to me...

Yes you should be concerned. Left of the trackpad is your HDD. Backup your data immediately. A HDD should be very quiet with no clicking sounds.
Open Disk Utility>First Aid. Follow the instructions. If you cannot correct the problem with Disk Utility, get a replacement HDD and install it. The instructions are in your user manual. (Easier than sending away across the country and also consider one with larger capacity)
If you find you need instructions on transferring the software and data, you can create a new post when the time comes.
Ciao.

Magic mouse clicking noise

I bought the new magic mouse and it works well as described. But only one thing I can't tolerate--- the clicking noise. I know most mice have clicking noise but for the brand of apple, I suppose they can do something above average.
Do you know there is a way to diminish the clicking sounds? Why don't they use the technology like trackpad, which there is no sound when clicking and so sensitive. Is this possible? Thanks in advance.

I find a relatively easy way to diminish the clicking sounds of magic mouse --- free. Use a soft surface item rather than the mouse pad, for example, like a stack of relatively soft paper (you need a lot paper). If you can find a hand washcloth (fold it into a rectangle shape), the mouse is like added a silencer. And it also move precisely. I suppose the sound is coming out from the base and hope this silly way can help someone has the same feeling as me.
Because this clicking sound drives me crazy, I think I have to find a way to kill this sound before I freak out. I think its a little louder than the old mighty one. Now it's all set. I hope one day maybe another smarter way to achieve it. Or someone can create a mousepad with relatively soft surface.

Why does my MacBook Pro make a clicking noise when i lift it up.

Hi i just recently got a MacBook Pro. I get this weird clicking noise from the right side of the trackpad. I don't know why its doing this noise but i think its got something to do with the superdrive or cd drive. This only happens when i pick it up or rotate it around on my lap.

Just to clarify... and in case you're not familiar with how hard drives work... There are metal platters in your hard drive that spin at either 5400 or 7200 times per minute (that's either 90 or 120 times per second respectively). There is a little read head that floats less than a papers width above that super fast spinning platter. If you bump your computer while the read/write head is over the platter, there is a chance it can bump into the spinning platter causing permanent damage to it. As a result, hardware manufacturers have developed ways to lock the head when a "sudden motion" is detected in order to reduce the chance of damage. In some cases (like the MacBooks), it is built into the notebook itself... in other cases, the technology is built into the drive. The clicking you hear, as others have indicated, is the sound of the drive head locking... it's a good thing.

Loud trackpad click

The clicking sound on my retina macbook pro's trackpad is annoyingly loud. Not only is the click loud but the release click is noticable as well. On my 2011 macbook the click was so subtle and there was barely a noise on the release of the click. Just wondering if this is common among the retina macbook pros? or should i have apple check out the trackpad? for now im using the tap to click to avoid listening to the clicking sound but i do prefer the physical click. Let me know what you guys think! thanks!

I have tried to turn down the volume on the loud trackpad click but there appears to be no volume control.
If anyone has figured out how to do this please let me know. I like to work in a quiet atmosphere and this loud click is just terrible.
This is the first time I have gotten a new Apple and have not loved it. The new MacBookPro has the worst trackpad ever. The cursor does not follow my hand movement and is shaky all over the place.
Hopefully they will come up with a solution. There are so many unhappy customers out there.
Jan

Brand New MacBook Pro making clicking noise whenever unibody is touched

This is rather strange. and i find it disturbing.
i just got my brand new macbook pro with i7.... and i put it on my lap, everytime I type or slightly touch the side of the computer (say areas next to the mouse pad), the computer internally is making those clicking noise sound like something is being bent, it is hard to explain, but all the tiny clicking and popping sound....at the start i thought it was the ethernet cable, the metal connectors were flicking against something, but then i realised its not...
when we put our hands on the laptop and type, we are bound to press on the surface of the unibody, and this annoying sound is happening all the time. i can say it doesnt sound like a HD sound, it just sounds like metal clicking against each other or something

I have the exact same problem on my brand new i7 MBP 15. The clicks are very high in pitch and sharp, and startling like something is breaking, and happen frequently. They seem to happen quite for no apparent reason other than, you know, I click the trackpad-button or something. The clicks seem to be coming from the left side... possibly lower left but I can't be certain. (It does agree with your ethernet impression.)
It does not feel acceptable at all-- I'd be very surprised if Apple thinks this is "normal."
The timing is totally random. I can't seem to really cause it on demand.
Anecdotally, it seems to only happen when running on my lap. I can't find anything in my keys or wallet that affects the computers, so I'm not sure if this is related.
And NO, it's absolutely positively NOT freefall detection that's causing this. You can verify this by simulating freefall (safely!). Hold the computer firmly, and lower it somewhat quickly by several inches. You get a very different, soft click that's not whatsoever alarming. This softer "parking" click also comes from a different place in the computer, on the right hand side.

My ipod nano 5th gen is still making the clicking noise but won't play music and the screen is black what's wrong?!my ipod nano 5th gen is still making the clicking noise but won't play music and the screen is black what's wrong?!

my ipod nano 5th gen is still making the clicking noise but won't play music and the screen is black what's wrong?!

Downloading past purchases from the App Store, iBookstore, and iTunes Storehttp://support.apple.com/kb/HT2519
Message was edited by: michael08081

Laserjet Pro m177fw makes loud clicking noise and then is stuck initializing, won't print

Hi,
Had this printer delivered today, it looks awesome, but when I turn it on, it has a loud clicking noise (like something trying to turn, but not grabbing a gear or something inside, this happens immediately upon turning it on, and then it's stuck in Initializing. If I go into the home button and go to system settings, then reports then configuration report, I get a big green check. I did notice that on the right most menu item, there is a yellow warning, and it doesn't seem to be able to get the detail on the ink levels of the colours. I took out the ink cartridge and looked at it and it doesn't look like there is something to pull out to activate the cartridge (there was in my really old HP Laser jet).
What am I missing on setup? I've read the instructions twice and also hard powered off the printer by pulling the plug and waiting a minute to plug it back in. Same thing occurs, thanks!
Sean
This question was solved.
View Solution.

Please follow these steps to take the cartridges out.
Touch the Icon and indicated on the pic.
It will come up with a screen which looks like this
Touch on the black cartridge icon and it will display " moving black cartridge to front".
Now open the cartridge door and remove the black toner.
Close the door and touch the cyan and it will move it to the front and you will have to open the door again and take the cyan out, close the door again and repert the process for magenta and yellow.
And when you want to reinstall them the same steps have to be repeated.
Do let me know the results
Although I am an HP employee, I am speaking for myself and not for HP.
*Say thanks by clicking the "Kudos! Star" which is on the left*
Make it easier for other people to find solutions, by marking my answer with "Accept as Solution" if it solves your issue.

Clicking noise from hard disk

Hello forum,
one more hard disk noise problem. My new MPB arrived two days ago and I immediately noticed a clicking noise that is presumably emitted by the hard disk. I've got the basic 250GB model, so it's unrelated to the 500GB noise. The sound occurs quite regularly every 20sec or so, but only when the disk is inactive. The system doesn't freeze. The noise appears regardless whether the disk power saving feature is enabled or not. Here is an amplified version of the sound without the normal background noise (fan, hard disk):
http://www.filefactory.com/file/ah25f1h/n/ClickingNoise_wav
I've learned that clicking noises are a certain sign of hard disk failure. So should I return it immediately and ask for a replacement?
Regards

MKG4 wrote:
It sounds like you've got two clicking noises happening back to back, correct? I have the new 250GB drive as well (5400 RPM) and I'm hearing a periodic click similar to the second one in your clip.
I can hear only the second click, too. Only if I mute the background noise and amplify my recording, I hear the first one. Could you perhaps take a record of the sound that your MBP makes so that we can compare the sounds?
Haven't noticed any other problems with the drive, though. Is yours a Fujitsu? Mine is, and according to their web site, "if the drive is idle it will automatically move the heads periodically to prevent lubricant migration." I'm wondering if that's what the noise is.
Interesting. Mine is a Fujitsu, too, and perhaps the two noises come from the disk head starting and parking.
Actually, it sounds a lot like the 500GB noise, except without the beep. I've seen very few, if any, issues with the 250GB drive, but I'm holding out hope that a fix may come along at some point.
I agree. Currently the sound doesn't seem to be harmful, but one never knows.

Trackpad clicking noise

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