Chosen Solution
So Yesterday while using my MacBook Air all of a sudden my trackpad and keypad stop functioning. I restarted the system and it started searching for a bluetooth keyboard. I looked online and seemed like a common issue and the common solution was opening the laptop and look for lose cables or change the logic board however I feel this is not the right solution in my case. I have a dual boot system since few months I’ve got MacOS & Ubuntu. The problem is only being seen when I log into MacOS. Once I start my system, I get the OS Boot up screen where I choose the OS. The arrow and enter keys work fine. I chose Ubuntu the trackpad and keyboard works fine. It’s only when I chose MacOS the system can’t detect any trackpad or keypad. I am using a USB keyboard & mouse currently to type this. I think these reasons are enough to conclude my logic board and all connections are good. Does anyone have a solution for this? I also read some blog which said that MacOS disables some hardware to save any expensive damage due to heating issues. This could be one issue. Though I never had a heating problem. I just have office work which is minimal. But in case if it is, does anyone know if there is a way to disable this from terminal? Or a hard reset for the system? I tried booting with PRAM reset holding P+R+cmd+shift. All the keys were detected and the boot took a long time then usual but it didn’t help. I tried safe mode but still the trackpad and keypad was not working. Please some help.. I don’t have Apple warranty anymore.
A common problem within the MacBook Air systems is a swelled battery which compresses on the trackpad cable. This cable carries both the keyboard & trackpad signals.
So when the system is running hard it can cause more pressure so it appears to be OK then fails. First I would open up the bottom cover and then just loosen the screws holding the battery so the pressure is reduced. Follow this IFIXIT guide: MacBook Air 13" Early 2014 Battery Replacement Just jump down to Step4 don’t remove them just loosen a turn or two. You might want to take the time to use a soft painters brush to scrub the fan and dust the logic board then use a can of can’ed air to blow the loose junk away. Next is getting some better diagnostics on the health of the battery. Install this gem of an app: coconut Battery As well as: TG Pro which will show you the internal thermal sensors and the fans status. Paste screenshots of both so we too can see what you see here. Post a fresh answer then when you save it it will ask you if you want to update your post.
