lssphx

Q: Can't pair wireless keyboard to Mac Mini

Wireless keyboard with Mac mini just stopped responding... changed out the batteries, turned on the Apple wireless keyboard, and green light blinks, indicating it's discoverable, all well and good, except can't get past the log-in screen because I obviously can't type the password.

 

I have a laptop that I could use to remotely manage the Mac mini, except alas, sharing was not turned on for the Mac mini before the keyboard became un-paired...

 

Both laptop and Mac mini are on the same wi-fi... Would an Ethernet wire connection between the two allow me to 'see' the Mac mini to be able to log-in and do the wireless keyboard pairing from there?

 

Any thoughts or work-arounds would be appreciated

Posted on Feb 1, 2014 9:41 AM

Close

Q: Can't pair wireless keyboard to Mac Mini

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by BDAqua,Helpful

    BDAqua BDAqua Feb 1, 2014 10:05 AM in response to lssphx
    Level 10 (123,775 points)
    Feb 1, 2014 10:05 AM in response to lssphx

    Hello,

     

    I think the best answer may be a cheap USB Keyboard to get beyond this.

  • by Linc Davis,Helpful

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Feb 1, 2014 12:52 PM in response to lssphx
    Level 10 (208,000 points)
    Applications
    Feb 1, 2014 12:52 PM in response to lssphx

    You may need a wired keyboard to carry out some of these steps. It's a good idea to keep a cheap wired keyboard and mouse or trackball as backups for a desktop Mac anyway, because Bluetooth isn't completely reliable.

     

    Step 1

     

    Follow the instructions in these support articles:

      

    How to set up your Apple Wireless Keyboard  

    Apple Wireless Keyboard: Difficulty during pairing process

    Bluetooth devices become unresponsive

      

    Step 2

     

    The keyboard should pair automatically when you reboot. You may have to press and hold the power button on the right side of an Apple keyboard until the LED starts flashing.

     

    Step 3

      

    Reset the System Management Controller.

       

    Step 4

      

    Back up all data.

     

    Triple-click anywhere in the line below on this page to select it:

    /Library/Preferences/com.apple.Bluetooth.plist


    Right-click or control-click the line and select

     

    Services Reveal

    from the contextual menu.* A folder should open with an item selected. Move the selected item to the Trash. You may be prompted for your administrator login password. Reboot.

    *If you don't see the contextual menu item, copy the selected text to the Clipboard by pressing the key combinationcommand-C. In the Finder, select

    Go Go to Folder...

    from the menu bar, paste into the box that opens (command-V). You won't see what you pasted because a line break is included. Press return.

      

    Step 5

     

    See these support articles:

     

    Bluetooth keyboard may not pair during Setup Assistant

    Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: Potential sources of wireless interference

    Bluetooth: Unreliable wireless performance may occur when USB 3.0 external devices are close

      

    Step 6

      

    Make a "Genius" appointment at an Apple Store, or go to another authorized service provider.

  • by lssphx,

    lssphx lssphx Feb 11, 2014 9:01 AM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 11, 2014 9:01 AM in response to Linc Davis

    Ya, think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and get a wired keyboard...

     

    It did seem as though when I went to the Apple Genius Bar for another issue with another laptop that she was able to access the problem laptop (the laptop screen went immediately into a black screen on start-up) from her iPad through a wired connection... Ethernet?

     

    But I haven't been able to locate any info on this...

  • by keg55,

    keg55 keg55 Feb 11, 2014 9:54 AM in response to lssphx
    Level 6 (8,479 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 11, 2014 9:54 AM in response to lssphx

    Have you tried ensuring no other devices are paired with your keyboard and turning their Bluetooth off? Then shutdown your Mac Mini by pressing/holding the power button and turn it back on, watch the keyboard to see if it is re-discovered and pairs (green light on) with the MM.

  • by lssphx,Solvedanswer

    lssphx lssphx Feb 11, 2014 10:27 AM in response to keg55
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 11, 2014 10:27 AM in response to keg55

    Silly question, but how do I check to see if other devices are paired with the keyboard? We do use iPhones, iPads at the same desk as the keyboard...

  • by keg55,

    keg55 keg55 Feb 11, 2014 10:30 AM in response to lssphx
    Level 6 (8,479 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 11, 2014 10:30 AM in response to lssphx

    Check your iPads. They have Bluetooth and can pair to a wireless keyboard. Go into the Bluetooth settings and see if it's paired to your keyboard.

     

    I don't know about an iPhone as I've never used mine with a wireless keyboard.

  • by lssphx,

    lssphx lssphx Feb 11, 2014 10:44 AM in response to keg55
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 11, 2014 10:44 AM in response to keg55

    Alas, I was SO hoping that this would be the solution but devices show the keyboard and say they are not paired... Rats... thanks for the thought though, it was worth trying...

  • by keg55,

    keg55 keg55 Feb 11, 2014 11:08 AM in response to lssphx
    Level 6 (8,479 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 11, 2014 11:08 AM in response to lssphx

    No worries. So you don't have any other Macs that may be involved?

     

    And have you tried shutting down your MM and restarting assuming there are no other devices paired?

     

    Also, I know I have had to turn off my keyboard (pressing the button for 3 seconds or so) then turn it back on and my MM would discover it. Or do you know for a fact that the keyboard is on because some other device is able to see it and pair to it? Just trying other solutions.

  • by woodturner,

    woodturner woodturner Feb 11, 2014 12:09 PM in response to lssphx
    Level 2 (170 points)
    Feb 11, 2014 12:09 PM in response to lssphx

    Is your keyboard listed as a "Favorite" under BT Preferences.

    If not then try making it a Favorite, this can sometimes make it behave a little better.

  • by lssphx,

    lssphx lssphx Feb 11, 2014 1:40 PM in response to lssphx
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 11, 2014 1:40 PM in response to lssphx

    OK folks,

     

    Discovered by trial and error that it was the wireless mouse (not an Apple brand) that was preventing the keyboard from pairing, even though it's not a bluetooth mouse...

     

    Here's the steps I used...

     

    1. Disconnected the USB  mouse cord from the Mac Mini.

    2. Turned off the Apple wireless keyboard from switch on the back.

    3. Turn Mac Mini off, then back on.

    4. Waited for it to boot up as far as  the password-protected screen.

    5. Turned on the Apple wireless keyboard, waited for it to stop blinking, indicating (hoping) that it paired        up.

    6. And voila... was able to then type in the password...

    7. Then plugged the non-Apple wireless mouse sensor  cord back into the Mac Mini's USB port

     

    I also immediately went in to the MacMini's Sharing options and set that up for remote management in case something else happens down the road for other problems...

     

    Thanks though to all who suggested solutions... they may come in handy in the future.

     

    Hope this helps someone else...

    Lynda

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Feb 11, 2014 2:20 PM in response to lssphx
    Level 10 (123,775 points)
    Feb 11, 2014 2:20 PM in response to lssphx

    Great work Lynda, thanks for the report!