Mouse clicks stop working after periods of inactivity

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Level 1

4 points

Mouse clicks stop working after periods of inactivity

Since upgrading to Monterey 12.4 on my mac m1 mini, whenever I have been inactive for several hours and come back and wake up the computer, the mouse clicks do not work anymore. The mouse still tracks on the screen, but clicking on anything doesn't engage. I have tried turning the mouse off and on, using another mouse, which, has the same issue if I turn it on. The only way I've found to resolve it is to reboot the computer. It's a bit annoying to have to reboot the computer every time the mouse clicks stop working. Before upgrading, I would go months without having to boot the computer. Is there any other work arounds I can try when this happens. Any possible solutions to try so it doesn't happen to begin with?

Posted on Jun 9, 2022 3:02 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Eric_G1

Community Specialist

Jun 11, 2022 8:25 AM in response to sby225

sby225,

It may help to try setting up an additional Admin user account on the Mac, switch to that for the moment, and then re-create the same scenario (leaving it inactive for a while, and check if you can interact with the OS as normal afterwards).

If needed, this page can help set up the other account: Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac - Apple Support

If it doesn't happen in the other account then this helps to note it's a user-specific issue. If it happens there as well then it'd be a system-wide one.

Launching the Mac into safe mode can also help to rule a few things out: Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support

Cheers.

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Answer 2

DerekM87

Community Specialist

Jun 11, 2022 7:59 AM in response to sby225

Hi sby225,

To make sure we're on the same page, this is a physical mouse in use with an iMac, not a built in trackpad for a MacBook, correct?

If so, is it an Apple mouse or a third party one? Also, is it Bluetooth or wired right to the Mac?

Also, you tested with a different mouse on this same iMac? If so, was it also a third party or Apple one? Let us know and we'll continue from there.

Cheers!

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Answer 3

sby225 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 11, 2022 8:15 AM in response to DerekM87

I have two mice I use, both are physical mouses connecting to a Mac Mini and not a MacBook. One is an Apple Magic Mouse connected through bluetooth, the 2nd is a Logitech wireless MX Master connected through the Logitech unity dongle. I also have a Logitech keyboard connected through the same dongle. I generally only connect one mouse at a time depending on what I'm doing at the time. I've seen posts where having two bluetooth pointing devices connected at the same time can sometime cause issues but I don't believe that is the case for me.

The issue occurs with both mice so pretty sure its not a physical issue. Never had any problems until after I upgraded to Monterey 12.4. Issue is most likely to occur after I've left the computer alone for several hours or over night. I leave the computer up and running 24 hours a day with only allowing the monitor to go to sleep. When I come back to the computer and wake up the monitor and login, the mouse tracks, but, will not allow me to click on anything. I can power on the other mouse and it has the same issue. The only action I can take to recover is to reboot the machine.

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Answer 4

sby225 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 11, 2022 8:17 AM in response to sby225

One other interesting behavior, I'm able to click on a window and drag it around the screen, but, I'm unable to click on anything to close or open any application.

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Mouse clicks stop working after periods of inactivity

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