Prompted on startup to pair bluetooth keyboard and can't skip

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Prompted on startup to pair bluetooth keyboard and can't skip

This Macbook Pro has been functioning fine for over a year. Today when I turned it on I was greeted by the screen alternating between the two images below.

I haven't ever used a bluetooth keyboard or mouse with this device and don't currently own one. It seems like there's nothing I can do to skip this step, meaning that I'm now completely unable to use any of this laptop's functions. The only things I can click on are a bar at the top with Startup Disk, Restart, Shutdown, and Language Chooser. I can't even look up what my laptop's specs or model are, and the solutions that I've looked up haven't changed anything.

The trackpad and keyboard are also completely unresponsive, but seeing as how I'm able to plug in a USB mouse and USB keyboard that work, that will be a secondary concern unless these two problems go hand-in-hand.

MacBook Pro

Posted on Feb 22, 2020 4:38 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

HWTech

Level 9

68,606 points

Feb 22, 2020 4:52 PM in response to pikmints

If macOS doesn't detect the internal keyboard or trackpad, then macOS will display the Bluetooth connection screen for that device.

Just out of curiosity try Option Booting the laptop by holding down the Option key just after powering on the laptop (or just after the startup chime). Does the trackpad move the cursor on the Apple boot picker menu? If you press the "Return" key does it launch the selected boot item?

While the laptop is on the Apple boot picker menu try performing an SMC reset (you must use the internal keyboard). If the laptop powers off, then the SMC reset was successful, but if the keyboard isn't working here, then you will not be able to perform the SMC reset.

Also try a PRAM reset (hold the PRAM reset for at least three chimes). You can perform this reset using the USB keyboard.

If this does not help, then you will need to take the laptop to an Apple Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider to be examined and to receive a quote for the repair. If this happens to be the 2015 model, then it may be as simple as a defective Trackpad Cable.

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Answer 2

Cunnla

Level 6

8,263 points

Feb 22, 2020 4:49 PM in response to pikmints

Try Safe mode: Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac - Apple Support

If it works, turn off Bluetooth in System Preferences, unless you are using other Bluetooth devices.

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Answer 3

HWTech

Level 9

68,606 points

Feb 22, 2020 6:16 PM in response to pikmints

Your picture looks like you booted into Recovery Mode. FYI, You can use the Option (or Alt) key on the USB keyboard to access the boot picker menu which should just be a blank screen with icons for various bootable volumes and may include a drop-down list for selecting Wifi. Since you built-in keyboard and trackpad don't work in recovery mode, I think you need to have Apple or an AASP examine your laptop.

FYI, unless you have a 2018+ model you don't have a T2 chip. From the looks of your pictures I believe you have an earlier model laptop.

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Answer 4

pikmints Author

Level 1

9 points

Feb 22, 2020 5:09 PM in response to Cunnla

Thanks for responding. I tried the "hold shift on startup" method multiple times only to be greeted by the same images above. At the bottom where it mentions entering safe mode by remotely opening the terminal or using SSH, unless I'm mistaken it seems like those aren't options that I can use.

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Answer 5

pikmints Author

Level 1

9 points

Feb 22, 2020 5:36 PM in response to HWTech

Thank you for your detailed response.

When holding the Option key immediately upon powering it on (there isn't even a startup chime), nothing seemed to change and it took me back to the images above. None of the screens I can access, including one that looks like the apple boot picker menu (attached), allow me to control the cursor with the trackpad. I can select the boot option only via a USB mouse (not even by pressing return on a USB keyboard), but it also takes me right back to the above images.

I have also tried the PRAM and SMC reset, using both the T2 and non-T2 options, also to no avail. Based on how limited my options are, it seems like I may need to take it to an Apple Store to get a quote.

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Prompted on startup to pair bluetooth keyboard and can't skip

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