How do I fix a USB keyboard that stops working after Mac mini goes to sleep?

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Level 1

4 points

How do I fix a USB keyboard that stops working after Mac mini goes to sleep?

I use USB keyboard A1243 and it stops working after the computer goes to sleep. Because of this, I cannot wake up the computer. Sometimes it wakes up within a minute, and sometimes it does not wake up at all. Instead, I pressed the Power button and the computer woke up, but the keyboard did not work. There is no such problem on the late 2014 Mac mini. I encountered it on the 2013 Mac mini M2.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Keyboard lost after sleep

Mac mini, macOS 26.2

Posted on Feb 5, 2026 1:32 AM

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Answer 1

Owl-53

Level 10

103,477 points

Feb 5, 2026 5:23 AM in response to konsav

Good work 👍 there and thank you for the efforts you have already tried

To Test if the issue is with the M2 Mac Mini ports

Do you have, even, a MS Windows USB Keyboard at the ready

If so, can you try that keyboard under your normal workflow

If you arrive at the same results

This could be an indicator of just where the issue belongs to Keyboard or USB Ports on the Mac Mini

PS I too have a M2 Mac Mini and normally use the Magic Keyboard with the Lighting connector

If I have a connection issue between the computer and keyboard

I will cable the Bluetooth keyboard to the machine making it work like a USB keyboard

It never fails to work after a Sleep or reboot

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Answer 2

Owl-53

Level 10

103,477 points

Feb 5, 2026 2:16 AM in response to konsav

This keyboard comes with a USB-A male connector

The " on the 2013 ( correction 2023 ) Mac mini M2 " which I also have, does and 2 USB-A female connectors

Have you tried a different port ?

Have you tried using a cheap USB-A to USB-C connector and used the USB-C ports

This is assuming the Keyboard is being Directly connected to the USB ports

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Answer 3

Owl-53

Level 10

103,477 points

Feb 5, 2026 7:05 AM in response to konsav

One more attempt before making the purchase of the Apple Bluetooth Keyboard

Still a good idea though

How may Other USB devices are connect outside of the USB Keyboard

As we know there are 3 more USB Ports

Is it conceivable that some of the Other USB devices are Drawing too much power and therefore causing the Keyboard to loose power for periods of times ?

Below is from Finder >> Go >> Utilities >> System Information >> USB Category

Have a USB SSD drive attached and a USB Sandisk ( thumb drive )

The amount of Power being drawn by the USB Drives is will below the Power that the builtin HUB can provide ( 896 mA

Just a thought

Should mention all the above is from the M4 Mac Mini with Tahoe 26.2

The M2 Mac Mini is currently in use streaming Live TV in the living room ( also Tahoe 26.2)

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Answer 4

konsav Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 5, 2026 5:11 AM in response to Owl-53

Yes, I tried using both USB-A ports and a USB-A to USB-C adapter. At first, everything worked fine with the standard USB-A port, but then problems started, and I connected the keyboard via the adapter. That didn't solve the problem completely. It took me about 30-60 seconds to wake the computer from sleep mode, and sometimes it didn't wake up at all. Then I would remove the keyboard cable from the adapter and plug it back in. It worked a couple of times, but not the last time. I restarted the computer, plugged the keyboard cable into different ports, and only after a while did the keyboard start working again. At the same time, I checked whether it worked on the old Mac mini, and it did.

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Answer 5

konsav Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 5, 2026 5:49 AM in response to Owl-53

I don't have a Windows keyboard, but I'll buy a Bluetooth Magic Keyboard if I can't find another solution. Thank you for your help.

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