Fix Frozen Trackpad and Keyboard when MacBook Wakes from Sleep

The other day my work MacBook Pro (a mid-2012 15 inch MacBook Pro running OS X 10.7 Lion) started having problems waking from sleep. When I opened the lid, I could not move the mouse or type my password to log in. The trackpad and keyboard simply did not work.

After a quick internet search I came across a support page on Apple’s website that seemed to describe the problem. I followed the instructions for “Resetting the SMC on portables with a battery you should not remove on your own” which includes MacBook Pro (Early 2009) and later, all models of MacBook Air, and MacBook (Late 2009). This seems to have fixed the issue. Note that this will reboot the MacBook, so you will lose any unsaved work.

1. Shut down the computer.
2. Plug in the MagSafe power adapter to a power source, connecting it to the Mac if its not already connected.
3. On the built-in keyboard, press the (left side) Shift-Control-Option keys and the power button at the same time.
4. Release all the keys and the power button at the same time.
5. Press the power button to turn on the computer.
6. Note: The LED on the MagSafe power adapter may change states or temporarily turn off when you reset the SMC.

This is the first time I’ve had the issue in nearly a year of daily use. I’m constantly moving my MacBook around from a Thunderbolt display at my desk to various conference rooms with HDMI and VGA projectors at work and to an HDMI monitor at home. I’ve been extremely impressed with how convenient and simple the MacBook is to move around between workstations, so I don’t think the problem happens often, but if it does I hope this solution helps!