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Troubleshooting External Keyboard or Mouse Issues

Issue Description 

External keyboard or mouse does not respond or intermittently disconnects. 

Common Causes 

  • Bluetooth pairing issues 
  • USB power problems 
  • Corrupt input settings 

Step-by-Step Solution 

Step 1: Check Connection Type 

  • USB: try another port or cable 
  • Bluetooth: verify battery level 

 

Step 2: Re-pair Bluetooth Devices 

  • System Settings → Bluetooth 
  • Remove device 
  • Restart Mac 
  • Pair again 

 

Step 3: Reset Input Settings 

  • Restart Mac 
  • Disconnect all peripherals except keyboard/mouse 

 

Step 4: Test in Safe Mode 

  • Determines software vs hardware cause 

Explore Further 

  • Reset SMC (Intel Macs) 

Prevention & Best Practices 

Avoid low-quality USB hubs.