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Much hoopla was made this week about one tech writer’s frustration with the BlackBerry trackball, as we mentioned in this week’s News From The Wire. So I figured today was as good as any to throw up a quick tip on how to clean your BlackBerry trackball. Yes, it’s a quick tip because it’s rather simple. After the jump, we’ll guide you through with some pictures. For now, get yourself a dry rag and a small screwdriver.
First, you’ll have to use the screwdriver to remove the ring from the outside of the trackball. I’d recommend doing this from the top, since it’s the only part of the wheel that doesn’t have a prong (you’ll see what I mean when you pull it out). Once that is loose, you’ll be able to take the trackball unit out as well. The set should look like this:
Now we want to concern ourselves with the trackball unit. First, wet your finger and run it across the trackball to pick up any residue which might be sticking to it. Next, you’ll notice there are four black wheels on each corner of the unit. Remove them one by one, removing any dust or buildup with your fingertips. I’d recommend not using water here. Just something about water and BlackBerry that makes me uneasy.
Finally, we’ll look back to the unit, where you’ll see a copper sensor where the trackball used to be. Wipe this gently with the rag. This is a very fragile and very sensitive part. If you treat it roughly, it will break and you’ll have a worse problem than a dirty and clogged trackball.
Finally, drop the trackball unit back into the crevice, and pop the ring back on, prongs facing left, right, and down. Voila! Should be good as new. And now you don’t have to send your BlackBerry to IT, or out for repair. Imagine that.
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39 Comments ↓
[...] If you are new here, you may want to subscribe to my feed or subscribe to us on Twitter!Today we dedicate most of the show to TheStreet.com writer Gary Krakow, who was vocal in his displeasure with the BlackBerry trackball. It appears that his doesn’t work after six months of use, and the same is true for many of his colleagues. That’s fine — no gadget is perfect. Yet he claimed to find little or no support on the Web. As I proved on the blog this morning, it’s quite easy to find information on cleaning your BlackBerry trackball. [...]
thanks for the tip. my trackball has been seeming a little sluggish lately. there is probably a lot of lint in there since I carry mine in my pocket
great tip! i did not even need a screwdriver…just used my fingernail and it popped right out…
oh, and the ring breaks VERY easily, by the way if you don’t line the prongs up like the instructions say. : (
I run http://www.bbtrackball.com and in my experience cleaning the trackball is quite easy. There’s some good steps here but if you check out my link, I’ve got some good cleaning instructions for both basic and more advanced cleaning. I also sell replacements for $12.99 Free shipping if you’d rather not deal with the hassle of taking it apart to clean it well.
Hope this helps!
- Zach
This was simple to do and made a world of difference in the trackball. I did find a more slender nail file worked better at getting under the ring though.
Great advice guys, I’m sure the trackball gets a bit grimey for everyone after a while. Cleaning is pretty easy but you can break the ring if you aren’t careful. Keep the tips coming!
[...] How to clean your BlackBerry trackball. Inspired by Gary Krakow, writer for TheStreet.com, who posted a video complaining about a faulty trackball rather than tracking down some easy-to-find information. [...]
I was having trackball issues and I ordered a new one from http://www.blackberrytrackballs.com last week. It arrived the next day and I was back in business. I don’t know if anyone else has had an issue, but my friend followed cleaning instructions that used rubbing alcohol, and he totally broke his blackberry. I would suggest being careful!!
Thanks for the advice!
[...] on numerous occasions. When that did not sort out the problem for LesleyLambert we suggested giving the BlackBerry trackball a good cleaning and pointed her to a great post on just this topic by [...]
this is my first time going on this site and wow… this worked great… i would usually go in and trade it or try to get rid of the phone.. but this worked.. thanks guys… ill def keep looking here to fix my blkbry
Dude Nice tips
Got mine cleaned already and it’s got better
Thanks dude :D
Trackball cleaning instructions were very helpful. I just about threw my Pearl out the car window last night but decided to calm down and check out the track ball problem this morning. Now works fine. I’ll start carrying it around in the case rather than in my l;int-prone pockets. Thanks again!
[...] the IT department found that his frustration was shared by others. We promptly showed Mr. Krakow how to clean his BlackBerry trackball so issues like this wouldn’t arise in the future. We even talked about replacing the [...]
[...] BlackBerry trackball. Yeah, some people are harsh on it, and it can be fragile. But as long as you keep your trackball clean, you should be fine. There are times, however, when the thing just falls apart. My buddy had this [...]
Yeah this is actually my first blackberry so I am kinda nervous about performing this task
Thank you , thank you , thank you!!! My trackball wouldn’t move up and now it’s working great. Very easy to follow directions. Too bad the desktop manager software aborts all the time…. but at least the trackball works again.
thanks a lot homes, your the shiznit
Great tips! Very helpful info, thank God for helpful people, to spare us from being nickled and dimed! Remember Jesus cleans the inner heart, God bless!
Someone spilt just enough soda on my ball where it stuck only going down… this totally fixed it. Thanks!
Hi… While I was trying to take off one of the black wheels on the trackball, I accidently cracked the wheel. Now, I can only go up,down, and right, but not left. Is there anyway to repair this or make it go left once again? I’d like any information on this and Thank you very much!
Go to BlackberryTrackballs.com Replacement trackball with retaining ring costs $11. I just fixed mine today. Ordered the parts Saturday had them in hand on Wednesday
[...] is the change from a trackball to a trackpad. Trackballs can be a pain in the ass: you have to clean them and sometimes replace them. The trackpad is digital, so there’s no mechanism which can break [...]
help- i have a blackberry bold and cant move the ball down… how do remove the ring on a bold? have tried lifting its very stuck
Hey Bel – here is a post that shows you exactly how to take apart your Bold – good luck!
http://www.bbgeeks.com/blackberry-guides/how-to-replace-bezel-buttons-and-keyboard-on-blackberry-bold-882461/
I own a Blackberry 8330 and I’m wondering what parts if any will fit from BlackBerry Curve 8300 8310 8320
The track ball will for sure — The 8330 is a slightly different body than the other models so no swapping.
[...] of tweezers, you can still remove your trackball by other, simpler means. Check out our post on how to clean your BlackBerry trackball for the [...]
Initially no downward movement. Took it out like you said, left the wheels on. Worked perfectly afterward. Thanks
How about using a Solvent like Acetone or Alcohol to clean the trackball ?…In that case, there is no need to remove the trackball from Blackberry Bold..
Did anyone try it ??
yes you can use a swab and some alcohol to clean the trackball – the problem is sometimes a bit of dust/dirt will get trapped inside between the sensors and affect usage.
I have an 8900 – will try this cleaning thing however the bigger issue is that it doesn;t CLICK anymore – moves around sluggishly but NO CLICK! this is really annoying – you can use the “enter” key to access most basic applications and functions,etc.. however you cannot use the browser, some applications or download any applications cuz the “enter key” doesn’t work there… any suggestions/ do you think the “cleaning” will also fix the “click” problem?
@JoAnne
Yes a thorough cleaning of the trackball should fix the no-click issue. If not then a replacement trackball unit is not very expensive.
I clean mine with vinegar I pop it out and soak a little vinegar on a paper towel then I roll the ball through the vinegar and then on the dry part until its dry. Running alcohol makes it to slick. While you have it out make sure that square orange tape is in place. Make sure the metal piece is in the middle. That’s your clicker. Good luck
Try this http://www.unique-stuff.co.cc/fixing_sticky_blackberry_trackball.html They have some tricks to fix a sticky unscrollable blackberry trackball without disassembling. I try the rotating straw technique and it works for me!! I have my trackball working again now..
Darn wish I had read this before I handed in to my Service Provider her in South Africa. They say it will take three weeks to come back…Only had the phone six weeks!
[...] parts, and that leaves plenty of room for things to go wrong. In the past we’ve gone over how to clean your trackball and, if it comes down to it, how to replace your trackball. Thankfully, new models now feature the [...]
Hi,
I just clearned mine, but also ordered a new one. I see two websites mentioned here, and they take $11 and $12.99 for a new trackball. I ordered on eBay, for $1.66 with free shipping. I love trackballs, but gunk clogging them is a recurring problem with all of them, whether it’s a huge computer one or this tiny blackberry one. This one is a bit more of a pain to clean though, as the parts are so tiny. I used a Q-tip, a piece of a lens cleaning paper and only 1 drop of Eclipse cleaning fluid (this does not have harmful additives as e.g. rubbing alcohol has). It is important not to use more than 1 drop at a time, as you don’t want it soaking wet, you just want a tiny amount to dissolve the gunk and allow you to lift it off the surfaces. Clean the ball itself, the weels and the sensor. And all the gunk that may cling to the edges of the “well”, as that will make it’s way to the wheels…
[...] want to subscribe to my feed or subscribe to us on Twitter!In the past we’ve explained how to clean your BlackBerry trackball if it’s starting to stick or otherwise malfunction. Problem is, you can’t use the same [...]
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