Every MacBook since 2015 uses a Force Touch trackpad, which simulates a click through haptic vibration from the Taptic Engine rather than a real mechanical switch underneath the glass. So when a trackpad stops clicking, it almost always means the haptic feedback has stopped firing, a software setting, a restart-fixable glitch, or a genuine Taptic Engine fault, rather than a worn-out physical button, since there isn't one to wear out.
Confirm What's Actually Not Working
If the cursor moves fine but pressing down produces no click sensation and no action, that's a haptic feedback issue specifically. If the cursor doesn't move at all, that's a different and more serious problem, usually pointing to a connection or logic board fault rather than anything related to clicking.
Check Software Settings First
Go to System Settings > Trackpad and confirm "Tap to click" and click settings are configured as expected, and try the "Force Click and haptic feedback" toggle off and back on, which resets the feature's state. A simple restart resolves a surprising number of trackpad haptic glitches on its own, worth trying before anything else.
An NVRAM Reset, If You're on an Intel MacBook
On Intel-based MacBooks, shut down, then power on while holding Option+Command+P+R for about 20 seconds, which resets a range of settings including some trackpad-related parameters. Apple Silicon MacBooks (M1 and later) don't use this same reset process, since NVRAM is managed automatically on those chips, so this step only applies to older Intel models.
When It's a Hardware Fault: Taptic Engine or Ribbon Cable
If software checks and restarts don't restore haptic feedback, the Taptic Engine itself, or the ribbon cable connecting the trackpad to the logic board, is the likely culprit. This is especially common after any liquid spill near the trackpad area, since the Taptic Engine sits directly underneath it and is vulnerable to even small amounts of moisture.
Physical Damage Is a Common Hidden Cause
A trackpad that feels unusually stiff, clicks unevenly on one side, or stopped working shortly after any spill near the keyboard should be treated as a possible liquid damage case, not just a software glitch, since corrosion can develop gradually even after the liquid itself has dried. Don't keep testing it repeatedly if you suspect this, since it risks worsening any internal corrosion already present.
A Technical Check: Apple Diagnostics
Shut the MacBook down fully, then power it on while holding the D key, which launches Apple's built-in hardware diagnostic tool and runs a check across major components including the trackpad's connection. It won't catch every intermittent fault, but a clear hardware error here confirms you're dealing with a genuine component issue rather than a settings problem. From there, a trackpad or Taptic Engine repair is typically handled alongside a broader check of the MacBook Pro or MacBook Air logic board connections, since the two are physically linked.
