Text on screen suddenly enlarges

[Mikeo512]

Using an MPB (16-inch, 2019) with Big Sur (11.2.3), for some reason or other the text on the screen will suddenly enlarge massively. When it happens with Word for Mac (16.47), I am able to reduced the text size via the control in the bottom right hand corner. But it also does this on websites to such an extent that I can hardly navigate around. Would be grateful for some advice and comments. Thanks in advance.
M

 

[lclev]

My only guess would be to check System Preferences -> Accessibility -> Zoom and make sure nothing is checked there.

Lisa

 

[Mikeo512]

OK Lisa and thanks for the reply.
Just looked in SP at at Zoom but nothing is clicked.
This problem will suddenly occur ... I'm looking a a page when lo and behold the text size increases enormously. This is so bad I cannot navigate around the page.
M

 

[Slydude]

If you are using either the Apple Mouse or Apple Trackpad, check those settings in System Preferences. I think the setting you are looking for is called Smart Zoom; Turn that off and see if it fixes the problem.

IIRC, with that feature turned on, an accidental double-tap causes the behavior you're seeing. I've done it many times and I think that fixes the problem.

 

[chscag]

What's likely happening is that while you're using the mouse or typing, your hand is accidentally brushing up on the trackpad enabling the Zoom feature.

That's something we see quite a bit with folks who either use a mouse instead of the trackpad or do a lot of typing and they brush up against the trackpad at the same time.

The trackpad on the 16" MacBook Pro is very large and it's also sensitive. You can if you wish turn it off all together if you don't use it.

I see that Slydude has already basically said the same thing. He's faster than me. LOL

 

[Mikeo512]

Thanks for the replies.
Regarding the track pad on my MBP ... the only time I use it is when the Magic Mouse conks out because the batteries go flat. When this happens, I need the trackpad (via the bluetooth symbol at the top of the screen) to re-enable the mouse. If I turn the trackpad off altogether is there a danger than I might not be able to re-enable the mouse except perhaps by restarting the MBP?
M