marliferous

Q: my keyboard and mouse cease to function properly once my mac mini goes to sleep

Hi folks,

 

My mac seems to have developed this peculiar problem as of the last week. I should note that I have not installed anything new, and the only update of which I am ware was the latest OS X patch.

 

It seems that whenever my mac goes to sleep and is awaken, both the keyboard and the mouse cease to function properly. I say "function properly" because as I try to log in, instead of seeing my password being entered, I see nothing and sometimes hear error tones (as if the input was being rejected by the system). In fact, the only time I see anything being entered into the password window is when I press ENTER, which oddly enough usually submits the password and not enters characters into it. If I "Switch Users" and click again on my account, the keyboard works again - at least temporarily, as sometimes it ceases to function properly again during normal operations. The mouse also seems to be in perpetual "right-click mode" and remains so unless the system is restarted.

 

Below are my specs. Any ideas as to what may be causing this?

 

 

Marc'

 

Hardware Overview:

 

 

  Model Name: Mac mini

  Model Identifier: Macmini6,2

  Processor Name: Intel Core i7

  Processor Speed: 2.3 GHz

  Number of Processors: 1

  Total Number of Cores: 4

  L2 Cache (per Core): 256 KB

  L3 Cache: 6 MB

  Memory: 4 GB

  Boot ROM Version: MM61.0106.B0A

  SMC Version (system): 2.8f1

Mac mini, OS X El Capitan (10.11.4)

Posted on Apr 4, 2016 7:25 PM

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Q: my keyboard and mouse cease to function properly once my mac mini goes to sleep

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  • Helpful answers

  • by K Shaffer,Apple recommended

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Apr 5, 2016 10:36 AM in response to marliferous
    Level 6 (14,362 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 5, 2016 10:36 AM in response to marliferous

    That is an odd situation, and you may have to try a few things to see if they can

    help troubleshoot or alleviate the symptoms. One thing to try, is to be sure to have

    a good backup from before this situation happened as well as one of the current

    situation. You could try a restore from an older Time Machine version to see if the

    issue goes away. Could be there are some software items that are not compatible.

    Or there may be some hardware problem, if not software.

     

    Did you notice any error messages, or other logs relating to the exact time this happens?

     

    The Console utility has records of everything, however information is limited in usefulness

    to most users. There may be some obsolete startup items or other software bits from an

    earlier OS X version pre-dating El Capitan 10.11 that may finally be acting up.

     

    If you start in Safe mode, and test the computer, can you get further along without issue?

    • Try safe mode if your Mac doesn't finish starting up - Apple Support

    Part of the instruction for using it, involves more troubleshooting beyond the startup itself.

     

    Sometimes, restoring or migrating from an older backup can bring up issues; so to have

    the system backed up, yet not import that into a fully new installation, helps troubleshoot.

     

    Since there were a few items included in the recent OS X update, beyond security, any

    bits that may not play well with older software perhaps from earlier OS X or third-party

    makers, could be suspect.

     

    There may be an intermittent power supply issue, regarding the USB; if so, that may be

    a reason to take the computer to an Apple Store (official retail) for a Genius to check it

    or an Authorized Apple service provider, to test and check it using indepth diagnostics.

     

     

    Did you try an SMC or system management controller 'reset' to see if that helps USB issues?

     

    • Reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac - Apple Support

    Usually that is considered a last resort; so read through to see how it may apply. Also note

    there is another reset for NVRAM that can affect the computer in other ways.

     

    •  How to Reset NVRAM on your Mac - Apple Support

    There shouldn't be any fear in trying these in the course of troubleshooting; even if or when

    some aspects of this may be off-target. Especially if a software conflict may be the cause.

     

    Not sure what else to suggest; in the meantime I'm going offline...

    Good luck & happy computing!

  • by seventy one,

    seventy one seventy one Apr 5, 2016 10:43 AM in response to marliferous
    Level 6 (15,140 points)
    Peripherals
    Apr 5, 2016 10:43 AM in response to marliferous

    As you probably know, the 10.11.El Capitan OS has its' own special mouse.    Now I have not read that an older mouse does not function properly with El Capitan, but as the OSX is updated (now 10.11.4), it would not surprise me at all if this did not begin to happen.   Be aware.  

  • by marliferous,

    marliferous marliferous Apr 10, 2016 5:11 PM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 10, 2016 5:11 PM in response to K Shaffer

    Hi there.

     

    What do you mean by special mouse? I am using both Apple wireless keyboard and Apple Magic Mouse.

     

    On this note, is it possible that a FROM update for the keyboard and mouse are needed somehow?

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Apr 10, 2016 11:49 PM in response to marliferous
    Level 6 (14,362 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 10, 2016 11:49 PM in response to marliferous

    There is a possibility some changes may have occurred as a result of the software update or upgrade

    however if you have not attempted to troubleshoot (that in itself, could help resolve the symptoms) it

    is recommended. If the problem is a failure of these bluetooth products to stay in sync, check batteries.

     

    If these are the newer products with built-in batteries, or are they ones you can replace yourself, the

    troubleshooting may take on different methods. Improperly fitting replacement batteries can lose contact.

     

    Original equipment built-in rechargeable batteries may be OK, (or not) while the cause of symptom can

    be a bluetooth issue. The bluetooth wireless transceiver for mouse and keyboard may be affected by one

    of the resets suggested earlier; to check and try any or all of those suggestions is part of troubleshooting.

    Some of them you could try more than a few times. And in different sequences.

     

    • Keyboard, Mouse & Trackpad - Apple Support:

    https://www.apple.com/support/keyboard/

     

    • Set up your Apple wireless devices - Apple Support

    • If your Apple wireless mouse, keyboard, or trackpad aren't working as expected - Apple Support

     

    You may need to see if a new replacement mouse has a different product number (identifier) or if you

    were to get your hands on one, the bluetooth section in system information (when connected, working)

    may tell you if the specifications show it to be a new series product. Mid-design updates in products

    such as mouse, keyboard, etc may not be evident -- and may not be announced.

     

    A visit to an Apple Store with Genius appointment, may be helpful to have the products inspected to see

    if there is evidence of a problem; or an authorized Apple service provider could (for a fee, perhaps) check

    and inspect the computer and bluetooth peripherals for signs of trouble. To test a new model keyboard

    along with new mouse may be an idea; the newest models may be different. A product specialist may be

    able to provide that information at an official Apple Store. A genius may be able to do basic troubleshooting.

     

    If there is a firmware update, there would be no user-end announcement; however such an item if it were

    to occur, could be part of a later software update. You could submit an Apple Feedback report about the

    product issues, either hardware or software, direct to Apple... while they may choose to not reply to your

    submission, the information would be viewed and recorded. https://www.apple.com/feedback/

     

    If you have a wired USB keyboard and mouse to use, in the interim, I'd suggest use those. Especially if

    you are going to try to reset the SMC and/or the NVRAM. Some resets work better by wired peripheral.

     

    Sorry to say there isn't much else to try, if none of the other ideas provided some change; or if no Console

    logs indicated any evidence from the day, hour, minute (approximate) of the problem. Someone qualified to

    understand a related log file may be able to tell if the file is related or evidence symptomatic to hardware.

     

    Nearby interference from other products can affect the wireless keyboard and mouse; even some USB3.0

    wired external drives can pose some issues. Try to troubleshoot in a way that repeats similar motions, but

    does so with and without various nearby possible interference items removed, unplugged, turned off, etc.

    Microwave oven, communication towers, various wireless products, household appliances, wireless phones

    and other items can interfere with your bluetooth. So can wired computer gear nearby your configuration.

     

    Since you accidentally asked me what 'seventy one' had mentioned, I waited awhile, and replied anyway.

    And because I saw no evidence of any action, test, troubleshooting, etc, I supplied more info links to read.

     

    In any event...

    Good luck & happy computing!