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Q: Persistent problems with Magic Mouse

I'm having persistent issues with my Magic Mouse. It will often stop tracking (i.e. cursor on the screen doesn't move when I move the mouse), or the button input malfunctions (i.e. I am unable to click and drag, or can't right-click, or when I left-click on something and hold the button down it doesn't "stick").

 

I called Apple and they took me through all the troubleshooting steps (reset SMC, PRAM, etc.) and eventually told me to get a new mouse. I got a new one, and have exactly the same problems!

 

The ONLY thing that solves the problem is restarting the computer, or logging in and out. But then the problem starts again after anywhere from a few minutes to a few days (most often within hours).

 

Any ideas?

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10.4)

Posted on Aug 16, 2016 10:58 AM

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Q: Persistent problems with Magic Mouse

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  • by s_w_i_t_t_e_r_s,

    s_w_i_t_t_e_r_s s_w_i_t_t_e_r_s Aug 16, 2016 1:06 PM in response to s_w_i_t_t_e_r_s
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 16, 2016 1:06 PM in response to s_w_i_t_t_e_r_s

    Here is more information in case it's helpful:

    • I plugged in a wired Logitech mouse, and to my surprise, it also doesn't work. I thought the issue was related to the wireless/Bluetooth connection, but it's clearly not.
    • I have a Wacom tablet connected to my computer, and it works fine—regardless of whether it's connected wirelessly (via USB dongle) or wired (via USB).

     

    It seems to be something wrong with whatever system/software specifically controls the mouse.

  • by seventy one,

    seventy one seventy one Aug 16, 2016 2:59 PM in response to s_w_i_t_t_e_r_s
    Level 6 (15,113 points)
    Peripherals
    Aug 16, 2016 2:59 PM in response to s_w_i_t_t_e_r_s

    If you are on Magic Mouse 2 and Yosemite 10.5, that is why your mouse is not operating fully.   Upgrade to El Capitan 10.11.6 and test.

  • by seventy one,Apple recommended

    seventy one seventy one Aug 18, 2016 10:08 AM in response to seventy one
    Level 6 (15,113 points)
    Peripherals
    Aug 18, 2016 10:08 AM in response to seventy one

    Just noticed the additional info about the Wacom Tablet.   Remove the tablet and pen from the room and test again.   Wacom tablets have a poor reputation in terms of interference.   All the same you will still need to upgrade.

  • by s_w_i_t_t_e_r_s,

    s_w_i_t_t_e_r_s s_w_i_t_t_e_r_s Aug 16, 2016 3:13 PM in response to seventy one
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 16, 2016 3:13 PM in response to seventy one

    Thanks for your response. I need to update my profile; I'm already on 10.11.6. I've tried removing the Wacom tablet from the room, and even completely uninstalling it, but that doesn't have any effect.

  • by seventy one,

    seventy one seventy one Aug 18, 2016 12:18 AM in response to s_w_i_t_t_e_r_s
    Level 6 (15,113 points)
    Peripherals
    Aug 18, 2016 12:18 AM in response to s_w_i_t_t_e_r_s

    Is your new Magic Mouse the version 1 or 2?   MM2 is the version that has a direct charging point underneath the mouse.

  • by s_w_i_t_t_e_r_s,

    s_w_i_t_t_e_r_s s_w_i_t_t_e_r_s Aug 18, 2016 6:16 AM in response to s_w_i_t_t_e_r_s
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 18, 2016 6:16 AM in response to s_w_i_t_t_e_r_s

    Well, hate to say this, but it seems it may be the Wacom tablet. When I removed it previously I had only unplugged the tablet from the computer; I didn't remove the radio transmitter inside.

     

    This time I unplugged the USB cable and removed the radio dongle, and so far I haven't had a mouse disconnect. I can't be certain that is the problem yet, because I've had 24-48 hour (or even longer) periods where the mouse worked when the tablet was connected. But it's looking like that *could* be the issue.

     

    It's a Magic Mouse 2.

  • by seventy one,

    seventy one seventy one Aug 18, 2016 7:13 AM in response to s_w_i_t_t_e_r_s
    Level 6 (15,113 points)
    Peripherals
    Aug 18, 2016 7:13 AM in response to s_w_i_t_t_e_r_s

    I'm pretty sure that will be the case.   I've met several examples in the recent past which is why I drew your attention to it.  It's very good of you to acknowledge your error because every example also helps others.   Do confirm it in due course.

  • by s_w_i_t_t_e_r_s,

    s_w_i_t_t_e_r_s s_w_i_t_t_e_r_s Aug 18, 2016 7:39 AM in response to seventy one
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 18, 2016 7:39 AM in response to seventy one

    Well, the bummer is that I need both. I use the tablet for photography work, and I use the mouse for other stuff. Too bad. I'm hoping that if I plug the tablet in via USB and don't use the radio dongle it may not interfere.

  • by seventy one,

    seventy one seventy one Aug 18, 2016 9:32 AM in response to s_w_i_t_t_e_r_s
    Level 6 (15,113 points)
    Peripherals
    Aug 18, 2016 9:32 AM in response to s_w_i_t_t_e_r_s

    Isn't the pen wireless?  

  • by s_w_i_t_t_e_r_s,

    s_w_i_t_t_e_r_s s_w_i_t_t_e_r_s Aug 18, 2016 10:09 AM in response to seventy one
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 18, 2016 10:09 AM in response to seventy one

    I guess it must be to transmit input to the tablet. However, I was referring to the tablet itself, which can be connected via USB or via USB radio/wireless dongle.

  • by s_w_i_t_t_e_r_s,

    s_w_i_t_t_e_r_s s_w_i_t_t_e_r_s Aug 20, 2016 7:56 PM in response to s_w_i_t_t_e_r_s
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 20, 2016 7:56 PM in response to s_w_i_t_t_e_r_s

    Just reporting back. The problem is definitely the Wacom tablet. I first unplugged the tablet from the computer, removed the wireless transmitter inside of the tablet (that enables wireless mode), and removed the USB radio dongle from the computer, and restarted. The mouse worked fine. It continued to work for 2 days without a freeze.

     

    This morning I plugged the tablet back into the iMac via USB, and did not reconnect the wireless transmitter inside of the tablet, or plug in the USB radio dongle. I was hoping that the tablet wouldn't cause interference when it was plugged into the iMac directly via USB. No such luck. It worked fine for a few hours, but after waking the iMac from sleep just now, the mouse froze. I can use the tablet (both the pen, and my finger) to move the cursor on the screen, but moving the mouse won't move the cursor. Clicking the mouse button does register input, but that's about all I can do with the mouse.

     

    This is frustrating because I need to use both the tablet and mouse for my work. I guess I'll contact Wacom.

  • by cvbk,

    cvbk cvbk Aug 21, 2016 4:24 AM in response to s_w_i_t_t_e_r_s
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Apple Watch
    Aug 21, 2016 4:24 AM in response to s_w_i_t_t_e_r_s

    I have the same problem, though my Apple trackpad and USB mice all seem to be fine. I did fork out for a magic mouse however, and the fact that there's a problem showing up for more than just one of us makes me feel like Apple should look into this.

     

    I'm running OSX10.11.6 on an iMac Retina. My Logitech gaming mouse and Apple trackpad are find, but my machine enters an unending string of keystrokes in the password field of the login prompt when I use my magic mouse (now replaced to no end), and my mouse either doesn't respond or scrolls up as soon as I try to scroll down.

     

    I have no installed or connected Wacom tablets. I own one but have not yet set it up.

  • by s_w_i_t_t_e_r_s,

    s_w_i_t_t_e_r_s s_w_i_t_t_e_r_s Aug 21, 2016 7:18 AM in response to cvbk
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 21, 2016 7:18 AM in response to cvbk

    Yes, that's what's strange. I have two bluetooth Apple keyboards and the Wacom tablet doesn't interfere with them.