2019 27" iMac Doesn't See Magic Keyboard+Key Pad After Shut Down. Can't Login...

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2019 27" iMac Doesn't See Magic Keyboard+Key Pad After Shut Down. Can't Login...

What a perfect morning to not be able to login and work on my iMac.

The Magic Keyboard+Key Pad is not responding after turning on iMac. This has happened before after shutting down but somehow worked later on for some unknown reason. The keyboard has also been unresponsive during use sometimes but then suddenly works as well. I rarely shut down my iMac, but almost every time I have with this new 2019 model and macOS Mojave & Catalina, it can't see the keyboard after turning on and I can't login. No matter how many restarts or turning the keyboard off/on again, it does not work. I also tried the original Magic Keyboard that came with it and that did not work either. I also tried holding power button to shut down then turned back on to boot in recovery mode but the keyboard still did not show so I could not login or disable FileVault as instructed. Yes, FileVault is on and the HD is encrypted. So at that point I was about to contact Apple Support or drive to nearest Apple Store. Then I thought maybe the battery was dead. But both keyboards?! Regardless, I tried it and sure enough the iMac could see the keyboard but the battery was not dead (36% charged). What the %$#@! is going on? This 2019 27" iMac and Magic Keyboard+Key Pad has been the worse experience in 12 years with Mac's, also since Mojave. Constant, little, aggravating, HW/OS/App behavior glitches/issues.

iMac 27", macOS 10.15

Posted on Jan 13, 2020 10:41 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Sapote Author

Level 1

49 points

Jan 29, 2020 10:28 AM in response to Old Toad

Booting into Safe Mode seems to have resolved the issue. At first I wasn’t sure how it would see the keyboard or know I was holding down the Shift key after shutting down/turning on, but it did. Then I wasn’t sure if it was in Safe Mode after logging in twice but noticed the RED “Safe Mode” in upper right corner afterwards. macOS behavior was very slow though with apps, Dock,,..etc. Is this normal? Shut down again and restarted and keyboard was found. This also seems to have resolved a different ongoing issue with having to constantly log into my Apple ID after waking from sleep.

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Answer 2

Old Toad

Level 10

216,506 points

Jan 29, 2020 10:58 AM in response to Sapote

Are you sure you were in Safe Mode? There should be a badge somewhere on the screen telling you you're in Safe Mode. It might be during the boot under the progress bar. I don't remember as I don't pay attention to it as it always takes a much longer time than a regular boot. Try again. If you're using a wireless keyboard use the charging cable on it so it acts like a USB keyboard.

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Answer 3

Old Toad

Level 10

216,506 points

Jan 29, 2020 10:36 AM in response to Sapote

Download and run Etrecheck. Etrecheck is a diagnostic tool that was developed by one of the most respected users here in the ASC and recommended by Apple Support to provide a snapshot of the system and help identify the more obvious culprits that can adversely affect a Mac's performance.

Copy the report

and use the Add Text button to include the report in your reply. How to use the Add Text Feature When Posting Large Amounts of Text, i.e. an Etrecheck Report

IMPORTANT:

Before running Etrecheck assign Full Disk Access to Etrecheck so that it can get additional information from the Console and log files for the report:

ALSO IMPORTANT:

Then we can examine the report and see if we can determine the root of the problem.

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Answer 4

Old Toad

Level 10

216,506 points

Jan 29, 2020 10:33 AM in response to Sapote

Safe Mode isn't for running 3rd party apps as they are prohibited from launching their underlying support functions. So they would run slowly. Safe mode is primarily to clear the various system, temp and cache files and repair the disc.

I have problems with my keyboard in Safe Boots so just connect the charging cable so it will act as a USB keyboard. Glad to hear it's working again.

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