# MacBook P20 15 - Lost my left-click on the Trackpad **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Tags:** computer-hardware\ **Created:** [September 12, 2025, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbook-p20-15-lost-my-left-click-on-the-trackpad/1022995 "2025-09-12T22:39:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2025, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbook-p20-15-lost-my-left-click-on-the-trackpad/1022995/1 "2025-09-12T22:39:58Z")
I’ve lost the left-click on my Trackpad on my MacBook Pro 15, 2.3 GHz 8-core Intel Core i9. My Trackpad settings are: - Force Click and haptic feedback: On - Look up and data detectors: Tap with Three Fingers - Secondary click: Click or Tap with Two Fingers - Tap to click: On These are the same settings as on my 13-inch, where there is no problem. The way it’s _supposed_ to work is: I click the lower-left corner of the Trackpad with my thumb or a finger. I ‘feel’ a click (the haptic feedback). I am now holding down the ‘left click’. The way it is now, there is no click/haptic feedback, and the ‘left click’ function isn’t working. Questions: Do I have an easily-resolved Settings issue? Or is the Trackpad kaputski and my computer will have to go into the shop? (FWIW, I’m having to use an old corded mouse for my left-clicking.) ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2025, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbook-p20-15-lost-my-left-click-on-the-trackpad/1022995/2 "2025-09-12T22:43:17Z")
It’s possible the mechanism is worn out. But if two finger tap still works, you can try that? First move the cursor to where you want to right click. With your pointer finger still on the trackpad, gently tap with your middle finger as well (lighter than a click, just touch it). Does that work? There will be no haptic feedback this way, but at least it might recognize the gesture as a right-click. You can also hold down the CTRL key on your keyboard and left-click instead; that is the same as a right-click. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2025, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbook-p20-15-lost-my-left-click-on-the-trackpad/1022995/3 "2025-09-12T22:47:52Z")
Also this: [https://old.reddit.com/r/macbookrepair/comments/w69y8e/my\_macbooks\_trackpad\_haptic\_feedback\_not\_working/](https://old.reddit.com/r/macbookrepair/comments/w69y8e/my_macbooks_trackpad_haptic_feedback_not_working/) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2025, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbook-p20-15-lost-my-left-click-on-the-trackpad/1022995/4 "2025-09-12T22:48:14Z")
I’ve never done it that way. I tried putting the cursor over your sentence starting with ‘With’. I kept my forefinger there, and tapped with my middle finger. I moved my middle finger around, but nothing happened. If I tap twice, the word is highlighted the same way it is when I tap twice with one finger. I tried tapping with _both_ fingers simultaneously, and the screen zoomed. > [@Reply](#): > > Also this: I saw that yesterday. I happened to have an alcohol prep pad nearby, so I tried ‘I have been able to fix the problem by sliding/working a strip of paper into and along the bottom edge.’ No joy. That poster goes on to say, ‘If that doesn’t fix the problem, then the trackpad needs to be replaced.’ ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2025, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbook-p20-15-lost-my-left-click-on-the-trackpad/1022995/5 "2025-09-12T22:50:15Z")
I’m sorry, my mistake. Try this instead… move the cursor to where you want it. And then lift ALL fingers off. Very lightly touch-and-lift two fingers at the same time, touching the trackpad with them together for only a very brief moment — far less than a second. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2025, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbook-p20-15-lost-my-left-click-on-the-trackpad/1022995/6 "2025-09-12T22:54:22Z")
Here’s a video… [https://fightingignorance.org/215131fa-b301-47bb-9414-32a6a9dbf6ba-pxl-20250912-225240082-ts.mp4](https://fightingignorance.org/215131fa-b301-47bb-9414-32a6a9dbf6ba-pxl-20250912-225240082-ts.mp4) (or just ctrl-click) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2025, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbook-p20-15-lost-my-left-click-on-the-trackpad/1022995/7 "2025-09-12T22:55:17Z")
I made a mistake. It is the _left_ click that is not working. Control+Tap brings up the right-click menu. What I _want_ to do is, using the mouse as an example, click the _left_ button so that I can highlight text for copying, quoting, etc. This is what I can’t do anymore by tapping and holding the lower-left corner. I will ask a mod to correct the title and OP. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2025, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbook-p20-15-lost-my-left-click-on-the-trackpad/1022995/8 "2025-09-12T22:56:18Z")
Well, that’s even easier. Can you just lightly tap-and-lift with one finger to do that (instead of pushing down for a haptic click)? That’s what the “Tap to click” setting controls, in your OP. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2025, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbook-p20-15-lost-my-left-click-on-the-trackpad/1022995/9 "2025-09-12T22:57:58Z")
That works with a single word. I need the haptic click to highlight a whole sentence. FYI: I’ve flagged the title and OP for correction. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2025, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbook-p20-15-lost-my-left-click-on-the-trackpad/1022995/10 "2025-09-12T23:00:03Z")
You can highlight the whole word by double-tapping it. Triple-tapping selects the whole paragraph (not just the sentence, though). [https://fightingignorance.org/01113762-0f18-4895-bb1d-6faff6ea5ad8-pxl-20250912-225833958-ts.mp4](https://fightingignorance.org/01113762-0f18-4895-bb1d-6faff6ea5ad8-pxl-20250912-225833958-ts.mp4) ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2025, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbook-p20-15-lost-my-left-click-on-the-trackpad/1022995/11 "2025-09-12T23:02:51Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I need the haptic click to highlight a whole sentence. Sorry, I misread that at first. I don’t think there is a gesture (even with haptic click) to select only a sentence instead of whole paragraph (which triple-tap does). Did that use to work everywhere for you, or only in certain apps (maybe Word?) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2025, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbook-p20-15-lost-my-left-click-on-the-trackpad/1022995/12 "2025-09-12T23:12:13Z")
Holding the lower-left corner of the Trackpad with my left thumb or finger, and then using my right finger to select the sentence(s) – while holding the left corner down, selects the text I… erm, selected. It works everywhere. At the moment I have to use the mouse. I go to the start of what I want to highlight, click the left button, and then use my right hand on the Trackpad to make my selection. I can do the same thing without using the Trackpad my left-clicking-and-holding the mouse, and then mouse over the selection. It works the same way on a PC. ETA: Thank you, @What_Exit . ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2025, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbook-p20-15-lost-my-left-click-on-the-trackpad/1022995/13 "2025-09-12T23:19:48Z")
Ohhhh, I see now, I’m so sorry… duh! You just want to drag to select text 🤦 That is naturally harder without a click “button” to hold down. There is a hidden setting that is a workaround for this, but it’s kinda awkward to use… If you go to: macOS Settings → Accessibility → Pointer Control → Trackpad Options (button), you can turn on an option there called “Use trackpad for dragging.” That will let you double-click-and-hold at the start or end of a sentence, then move your finger to the other side and release, in order to select. It’s a pretty awkward gesture though ☹ From [https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/change-pointer-control-settings-accessibility-unac899/mac:](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/change-pointer-control-settings-accessibility-unac899/mac:) [![](https://fightingignorance.org/6c2471c8-9d21-46f8-949a-ce3a3cd42612-change-pointer-control-settings-for-accessibility-on-mac-apple-support-september-12-04-16-11-pm-2x.jpg) ](https://fightingignorance.org/6c2471c8-9d21-46f8-949a-ce3a3cd42612-change-pointer-control-settings-for-accessibility-on-mac-apple-support-september-12-04-16-11-pm-2x.jpg) (I don’t think your 2015 Macbook will have the three-finger drag option, but I’m not sure… if you do, that would probably be easier to use.) An easier way to do the same thing is to single-tap at one end of the sentence (this just “marks” the start; nothing will be selected yet). Then move the cursor to the other end… just a normal move, not holding anything down. At the other end, hold down SHIFT on your keyboard and single tap on where you want the selection to stop. That will select everything between the first tap and the second shift-tap. Otherwise, yeah, you might have to bring it in to repair or replace the trackpad ☹ There is also this thing, if you don’t mind having an external one: [Magic Trackpad (USB‑C) - White Multi-Touch Surface - Apple](https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MXK93AM/A/magic-trackpad-usb%E2%80%91c-white-multi-touch-surface) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2025, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbook-p20-15-lost-my-left-click-on-the-trackpad/1022995/14 "2025-09-12T23:24:20Z")
> [@Reply](#): > > An easier way to do the same thing is to single-tap at one end of the sentence, move the cursor to the other end, and then hold down SHIFT on your keyboard and single tap on the other end. That will select everything between the first tap and the second shift-tap. Yes, I can do that. Not in my muscle memory though. ☹ It’s much easier to hold down the corner (left-click) and move the cursor to wherever. > [@Reply](#): > > Otherwise, yeah, you might have to bring it in to repair or replace the trackpad ☹ I was afraid of that. I wasn’t even going to post the question, but tonight I decided to give it a shot. Fortunately I have my ‘work computer’ (the 13-inch) to use in the interim. Thanks for the help! ETA: > [@Reply](#): > > There is also this thing, if you don’t mind having an external one: I’ve already got a mouse, so I can just use that until I get this thing fixed. (I hope they still have parts!) ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2025, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbook-p20-15-lost-my-left-click-on-the-trackpad/1022995/15 "2025-09-12T23:25:27Z")
I hope you figure it out ☹ It’s pretty cool that the computer has worked fine for you for 10+ years, though! Longest I ever had one was only 3-4. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2025, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbook-p20-15-lost-my-left-click-on-the-trackpad/1022995/16 "2025-09-12T23:27:54Z")
This one was made in 2019. I probably got it in 2019 or 2020 after my after the graphics thingy on my 17-inch from 2011 failed. IIRC, the 2010s and 2011s were the only ones that couldn’t be fixed. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbook-p20-15-lost-my-left-click-on-the-trackpad/1022995/17 "2025-09-17T00:46:10Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > t in 2019 or 202 OK, this is weird. I accidentally did the left-click-on-the-Trackpad + right-finger motion and highlighted selective text. No haptic feedback, but I could select a strings of text. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbook-p20-15-lost-my-left-click-on-the-trackpad/1022995/18 "2025-09-17T00:55:23Z")
It’s a mechanical switch. It’s become intermittent from age or accumulated gunk under it. Not surprising in the slightest. The question you need an answer to is how to clean out any gunk safely, and how to replace the trackpad if cleaning doesn’t resolve the problem. Whether you DIY one or both of those tasks or pay a shop to do it/them. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbook-p20-15-lost-my-left-click-on-the-trackpad/1022995/19 "2025-09-17T01:28:00Z")
It would have to be the Mac store. I have no clue how to work on the hardware. (Nor the software, for that matter.) Replacement Trackpads are like a double-sawbuck on Amazon. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbook-p20-15-lost-my-left-click-on-the-trackpad/1022995/20 "2025-09-17T04:33:45Z")
I am not sure if the Apple store would still service something that old. It’s worth a try, I suppose, but if not, your neighborhood compute repair store might be willing to, if parts are still available. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbook-p20-15-lost-my-left-click-on-the-trackpad/1022995.md?page=2)