My keyboard stops working intermittently for apparently no reason since updating to Catalina. To fix, I unplug and then replug the keyboards USB. I am using a Mac Pro (late2013). Happens on both Logitech and Dell keyboards.
Mac Pro, macOS 10.15
Key-recognition and cursor-position updating are low priority operations. Sometimes failure to respond to key presses or failure (or slowness) in cursor-position updating can be used by lack of spare CPU cycles. Activity Monitor > CPU can be used to check fo any process monopolizing the processor (called a "runaway process).
Another potential issue for keyboards is the use of their "convenience" USB outlets for other devices. The only use for the second USB port on a keyboard is to allow the use of a low-power mouse, and adding anything else can exceed the power budget for the USB port and cause the keyboard to malfunction.
The power budgets for keyboards are quite tight, and using one or more USB extension cables can also cause keyboard malfunction. The Apple keyboard extension cable is remarkably short and deliberately keyed so that no more than one such cable can be used.
Key-recognition and cursor-position updating are low priority operations. Sometimes failure to respond to key presses or failure (or slowness) in cursor-position updating can be used by lack of spare CPU cycles. Activity Monitor > CPU can be used to check fo any process monopolizing the processor (called a "runaway process).
Another potential issue for keyboards is the use of their "convenience" USB outlets for other devices. The only use for the second USB port on a keyboard is to allow the use of a low-power mouse, and adding anything else can exceed the power budget for the USB port and cause the keyboard to malfunction.
The power budgets for keyboards are quite tight, and using one or more USB extension cables can also cause keyboard malfunction. The Apple keyboard extension cable is remarkably short and deliberately keyed so that no more than one such cable can be used.
Most Users are not having the problem you are reporting.
The best way to get Apple to solve your problem is to report the problem to Apple support. Use the "contact Support" link at the top of every forum web page.
Being selfish and solving this issue for yourself is the best policy, because whatever fixes are used for your issue can be used to solve other users' issue as well.
The convenience port is not a factor here. If the runaway process is happening, it only began after moving to Catalina.
So after years of owning this mac without having this issue why would it only begin after moving to Catalina. Seems like the cause and effect.
What you describe is a correlation, not a cause and effect.
It could just as easily be that the different way Catalina operates causes a different stress on your USB port, causing it to fail.
Question: is it only your keyboard or does it occur with sound, bluetooth, etc.?
Only keyboard
Cause: update to Catalina. Effect: keyboard stops working intermittently.
How do we get Apple to address this?
Keyboard Stops Working Intermittently
