USB Hub/keyboard issue

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Level 1

8 points

USB Hub/keyboard issue

I'm using a Mid-2012 MacBook Pro running High Sierra 10.13.6 with an Apple Bluetooth Keyboard (A1644). Generally I shut off the Bluetooth and use the keyboard connected through an Anker 7-port powered USB hub. All has been well until, suddenly, I am no longer able to wake the computer from sleep using the space bar. All other keyboard functions work normally, as does the space bar when typing. If I plug the keyboard directly into the laptop, the spacebar/wake thing works fine. It also works fine if I use the keyboard with Bluetooth. I tried all kinds of cord substitutions, tried switching ports on the hub, nothing worked. So I tried a spare, wired Apple Keyboard (A1343), plugged it into the hub and the space bar woke up the computer. Eeeek! This isn't a matter of life-or-keyboard as I have several work arounds. But if anyone is up for speculation, I'd like to be able to understand this phenomenon

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.13

Posted on Mar 8, 2021 12:44 PM

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Answer 1

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lititzdb Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 12, 2021 7:00 AM in response to lititzdb

Problem solved. On advice from Anker support (who were very prompt and courteous in replying) I unhooked everything from the hub, including power and let it sit for 5 minutes. Then hooked everything (or so I thought) back up. The space bar again worked to waken the laptop. Then I noticed that I had forgotten to attach the USB cord from my HP printer to the hub. Hooked that up and the problem returned. So I went through the intimidating process of setting up the printer for wireless operation, eliminating its USB connection, and now we're back to normal. This is the second time I've had strange gremlins associated with a certain device being connected to a USB hub. I should have tried selectively removing individual components before crying out for help.

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Answer 2

steve626

Level 6

15,219 points

Mar 8, 2021 3:43 PM in response to lititzdb

Circumstantial evidence points to the hub as the source of the problem. Whenever something does not work, it seems to be that the hub is involved.

Different keyboards require different amounts of power. It could be that the hub is wearing out and providing less power than it used to. But what it is providing may still be adequate to power the older, wired keyboard, but is not enough for the other one with the rechargeable batteries. After all, for that keyboard one needs not only power to run the keyboard but also power to recharge the batteries.

Do you have other devices you can test the hub with? Perhaps a portable external drive?

Another thing you can try, which is commonly done to fix the built in laptop keyboard failing to wake up the laptop from sleep, is to reset the SMC. I still suspect the hub, but it is possible the hub is ok and the Mac is not recognizing the space bar from the external keyboard because of something that an SMC reset would fix.

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Answer 3

lititzdb Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 8, 2021 6:22 PM in response to steve626

I have a number of other devices attached to that hub. It's fairly new, powered and the light is on. Things always worked. However I just dragged out an old Belkin 4-port hub. When powered with only the keyboard plugged into it, waking the laptop from sleep works. I think your hub analysis is probably correct and I'll continue my experiments. Thanks.

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USB Hub/keyboard issue

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