Level 1

72 points

Intermittent severe Magic Keyboard lag

My new MacBook Pro 16" really annoys me. I use it with a Magic Keyboard, and intermittently, there's an awful input lag. Every few minutes, the computer seems to stop listening to the keyboard; I stop typing, and then the letters turn up very slowly until almost all of them are in place (not all, there's always a few missing). This totally ruins my workflow, of course.

I have tried two different keyboards, same problem. No problem with these keyboards on my previous MacBook Pro.

Does anyone know what this is?

(I tried to select "Topic: Peripherals" for this post, but sadly, the Magic Keyboard is not listed under peripherals. "Only Magic Mouse and Trackpad". Hence "Topic: Bluetooth".)

MacBook Pro 16", macOS 10.15

Posted on Mar 24, 2020 7:59 AM

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750 H2C Author

Level 1

72 points

Posted on Apr 2, 2020 2:02 AM

I have gone through my peripherals, an it seems the culprit might be my Logitech Master MX 2 mouse, wireless via a small USB dongle. When I use an old cable mouse instead, I don't experience any lag at all.

I have used the Logitch mouse via a USB-C-to-"old USB" adapter. Hard to say whether the adapter, the mouse itself or the dongle is to blame. Regardless, things work fine after "de-Logitechisation".

Has anyone else experienced anything similar?

Note: still only, or at least mostly, in Apple's native apps like Mail, Notes and similar. Veeeery strange.

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51 replies

Sep 5, 2020 6:13 AM in response to chaddio72

Yes sometimes switching the magic keyboard off and on solves the problem.....until the next time. The temperature these laptops are running at is by far the biggest concern though. Wondering if the two are related (ie the heat is impacting the Bluetooth radio module or something). Hoping Apple can come up with a firmware or driver fix ASAP.

Jun 24, 2020 3:52 PM in response to jseemann

Same for me thanks jseeman!!!!! Try turn on off keyboard people...

750 H2C Author

Level 1

72 points

Mar 27, 2020 12:56 AM in response to 750 H2C

Update: It seems like this issue occurs in Apple Mail only, at least to the largest extent. I've been using Word for hours without any problems, but in Mail, the lagging starts almost immediately.

I haven't tried resetting SMC and NVRAM yet, will do.

Apr 8, 2020 11:30 AM in response to 750 H2C

Having the same issue. Feels software related b/c I'm on a 2019 MBP and the issue is new (last week or 2). It is also happening w/ my Magic Keyboard w/ Numeric Pad. It's definitely worse at different times and with different apps but I agree your system is unusual when it happens. I suspect it was something in the last system update I did.

750 H2C Author

Level 1

72 points

May 7, 2020 7:26 AM in response to 750 H2C

However, my Mac automatically sets up a new BT connection to the Magic keyboard after each wake up. Which I have to kill, to force the keyboard to communicate via wire only. Irritating.

I have tried to add the keyboard's MAC address to the "ignore" section of the Bluetooth.plist file via Terminal, but it won't bite.

I have also tried to edit (a copy of) the plist file via XCode, but that's not very easy for a non-programmer.

martarhk

Level 1

4 points

May 28, 2020 12:18 PM in response to 750 H2C

I have started having this same issue over the past few weeks with both my 15" Macbook Pro with the bluetooth magic keyboard and on my iMac (both are independent systems). The magic mouse and trackpad connected to my iMac also have the same issues. The bluetooth device is not disconnecting, there is just a delay in processing the inputs for all of the bluetooth devices. Similar to the above, the accent popup menu keeps coming up. It is extremely annoying and affecting my workflow and nothing seems to have fixed the problem. I have switched keyboards with another computer in my house - same problem. I have reset all of my Bluetooth devices rebooted computer, etc. to no avail.

Sep 4, 2020 9:19 AM in response to nickfromgillingham

Have you tried switching the keyboard on/off as mentioned? (relevant to post)...that's a bummer you're having issues with your 16", mine is FANTASTIC so I would definitely get in touch with Apple support. ;)

750 H2C Author

Level 1

72 points

Sep 11, 2020 5:38 AM in response to joao_palma

Same for me: as I wrote some time ago, I have tested with two keyboards and two computers. The problem only appears with the MBP 16", and with both keyboards. Thus: not a keyboard issue, at least not in my case.

JaNd3r

Level 1

4 points

May 26, 2020 1:25 AM in response to jseemann

I feel so stupid and noobish, your suggestion to switch the Magic Keyboard off and on again (causing it to reconnect) fixed the problem for me! Thanks for the hint!

jseemann

Level 1

19 points

Apr 29, 2020 12:15 PM in response to Cyberke

For me with a Magic Keyboard, the fix was strangely turning off and then back on the magic keyboard itself. I tried all the other solutions (resetting NVRAM, turning off the accent popup, etc). Just flipping the switch on the keyboard off and then on again cleared it right up. Must be some buffer in the keyboard itself.

Hope that helps someone who finds this

mestor

Level 1

13 points

May 21, 2020 6:39 AM in response to ShyGuy69

To everyone having this problem the reason seems to be in the Bluetooth modules.

Here is a solution (maybe temporary) but you can repeat it every time you experience this issue.

In "System Preferences->BlueTooth" check the box "show in menu bar".

Hold shift and option and click bluetooth icon on menu bar. You will see a more detailed menu now with a new entry debug.

What I did was

1- Factory Rest all apple devices

2- Reset the Bluetooth module

3- Remove all devices.

4- Reconnect all devices.

That fixed the problem for me.

Hope it helps.

750 H2C Author

Level 1

72 points

Jun 15, 2020 2:40 AM in response to mestor

The issue returned today. Will have to go through the remedy list again.

So what does this mean, that a bunch of us have gotten machines with faulty BT devices or what? Is it time to contact support and get a ticket?

Sep 4, 2020 7:24 AM in response to 750 H2C

I am having this problem as well with a brand new MacBook Pro 16". Severe keyboard lag, bounce, double typing etc with my Apple magic keyboard. Add this to the severe overheating problems when running an external monitor, and I'm really unimpressed with the product quality that Apple are turning out these days. Totally unacceptable to have these sort of issues when using a combination of Apple hardware and software on a £2500 machine. What happened to Quality Control?

750 H2C Author

Level 1

72 points

Apr 16, 2020 6:29 AM in response to 750 H2C

Sorry, not solved. The problem has appeared again.

Cyberke

Level 1

4 points

Apr 21, 2020 12:33 AM in response to 750 H2C

Same issue here with the same 16" MacBook Pro. Very annoying. Anyone found a solution yet?

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Intermittent severe Magic Keyboard lag