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My Apple Wireless Keyboard 2011 is not pairing with any of my devices eventhough they can all recognize it. Gives an error that "Can't connect device." Does the KB have a hard reset that clears it of all pairings?

It appears in the Bluetooth Preferences window and even offers to "CONNECT". But when I select it, it attempts then gives an error "Can't connect device."

Is there a hard reset for this model of KB since it won't pair with anything?

Mac mini, macOS 10.15

Posted on Apr 7, 2021 5:47 PM

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3 replies

Apr 12, 2021 6:31 PM in response to gbelTib

gbelTib Said:

"So I can't UnPair or Disconnect from those but I assumed if the KB couldn't connect to its primary device it could still Pair with others.: So nny further help beyond that link?"

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Try the Following:


  • Unplug USB Devices:

If you have any USB devices plugged into your Mac, then unplug them. They would most certainly get getting in the way here.


  • Disable Bluetooth:

Go Here: Turn Bluetooth On or Off on Mac - Apple Support


  • Restart the Mac:

Perhaps you've unknowingly installed an update, and all needs to rest. For, restart the Mac. See if it then works.


Sometimes when changes are made to the system(i.e. updates), system configurations (i.e. for Mouse) become manipulated, technically. So, reset the SMC and NVRAM.


  • Boot into Safe Mode:

When you boot into Safe Mode, items load by default, with all settings and caches set aside. So, hold down the shift key upon boot. See what happens then.


  • Create a New Administrator:

See if creating and logging in as a new administrator does the trick. There may be something misconfigured in your current user - something that is getting in the way. Go to: System Preferences > Users & Groups > Unlock > Click: "+" > Create the new administrator


  • Check Force Quit:

See if something is listed as "(Not Responding)". Go to: Apple Menu > Force Quit...> Select anything ending with "(Not Responding)". Also, while in Force Quit... be sure to select Finder, and Click "Relaunch"

Apr 12, 2021 9:28 AM in response to TheLittles

Yes have already gone through those steps. Again, the KB is ON, the device sees it (and remembers its name), but fails to Connect. I go through the process of "Forgetting device", turning it OFF then ON again, having the machine re-recognize it, PAIRING it to the machine, but again "Cannot Connect device." The KB LED is not flashing when turned on but Not Paired, so that makes it seem like it's still "thinks" it's Paired/Connected to some machine but not one of the ones I currently owned. I've recently sold older MacMini and MacBook Pro that may have at some point paired with that KB. So I can't UnPair or Disconnect from those but I assumed if the KB couldn't connect to its primary device it could still Pair with others.

So nny further help beyond that link?

My Apple Wireless Keyboard 2011 is not pairing with any of my devices eventhough they can all recognize it. Gives an error that "Can't connect device." Does the KB have a hard reset that clears it of all pairings?

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