Wireless Keyboard and Mouse acting wonky

Machine:

iMac Retina 5K 2020, Apple Magic Mouse and Apple Magic Keyboard (both bluetooth - came with system)


Problems:

Mouse doesn't track smoothly

Mouse button clicks are occasionally skipped

Keyboard characters are sometimes delayed after typing

Keyboard characters are sometimes repeated after typing


Tried:

Restart

Shutdown

Clear PRAM

Remove Mouse/Keyboard from BT settings, re-pair both


Any other suggestions?



iMac (2017 – 2020)

Posted on Dec 16, 2023 10:29 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 16, 2023 11:40 AM

Try resetting the NVRAM again but this time do it 2-3 times in a row. Also give this a try: boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.


NOTE 1: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following; 

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts 

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files


NOTE 2: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will insure a successful boot into Safe Mode.


If the above doesn't help then create and log into a new, basic, admin user account, Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac and see if the problem persists. This tells us if the problem is limited to your user account or is system wide.


Note:  do not launch any 3rd party apps in the account so as to not install any of the supporting files that most create.


If the problem isn't present then your original account has software installed that could be causing the problem.  


4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 16, 2023 11:40 AM in response to GlennPJ

Try resetting the NVRAM again but this time do it 2-3 times in a row. Also give this a try: boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.


NOTE 1: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following; 

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts 

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files


NOTE 2: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will insure a successful boot into Safe Mode.


If the above doesn't help then create and log into a new, basic, admin user account, Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac and see if the problem persists. This tells us if the problem is limited to your user account or is system wide.


Note:  do not launch any 3rd party apps in the account so as to not install any of the supporting files that most create.


If the problem isn't present then your original account has software installed that could be causing the problem.  


Dec 16, 2023 11:41 AM in response to GlennPJ

By chance do you have any of the following types of third party apps installed on your iMac:


  1. Antivirus app(s)
  2. Security app(s)
  3. Cleaning app(s)
  4. VPN app(s)
  5. Maintenance app(s)


If not, please do the following:


It will help us get a good idea of what is causing your problem if you provide a report of your system, that way we do not have to play 20 questions with you. The report we are requesting does NOT provide any personal information and is extremely safe to use. Please navigate to www.Etrecheck.com and download the free version of EtreCheck. Once you have you downloaded the app and installed it, please run the report and save it. This report will help us get a good idea what has been installed on your system and help us be able to diagnose what may be wrong.


When you have your report, you can attach it when you reply to this message and we can then review it and help you determine what is needed to get your system running well again. 


For instructions on how to download your EtreCheck report and attach it to your reply to this message please click How to use the Add Text Feature When Post… - Apple Community It is helpful to us if you download the report to your Desktop.



Dec 19, 2023 7:41 PM in response to Old Toad

I did both. Reset NVRAM 3 times, mouse still seemed to be acting wonky. Booted into SafeMode (yuck - odd flashbacks of Windows came to mind) - still no fix. But then I re-tried removing mouse and keyboard from the Bluetooth settings and re-pairing. And they both seem to be working fine now. If I were to guess, resetting the NVRAM (not sure why it takes 2-3 times since "reset" should be just that...) and then removing and re-pairing the KB/Mouse seems to be the fix. Thanks for the help.

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Wireless Keyboard and Mouse acting wonky

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