Apple Wireless Keyboard (A1016) detected but will not pair

Question

Apple Wireless Keyboard (A1016) detected but will not pair

I'm posting here as a last ditch effor to get my beloved wireless keyboard to work again. After changing out the batteries it will no longer pair with my Mac mini. It shows up in bluetooth setup program as "Apple Wireless Keyboard" but with a type "unknown". It does not show up when trying to pair through the keyboard control panel. I've even added an IOGear bluetooth dongle which has helped with the erratic behavior of my magic trackpad but has done nothing to fix the problem with the keyboard.

Mac mini, Mac OS X (10.6.6), 4GB/120GB/9400M/2.0Ghz (2009)

Posted on Jan 28, 2012 11:33 AM

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Answer 1

Aug 14, 2012 9:24 AM in response to SuperGenericBob

I had similar problem with KB not connecting to desktop. After trying many things, I realised that there was some sort of interference with my iphone, ipad and laptop. All three had the same KB paired with them. I turned off Bluetooth on all of them, restarted desktop and it is fine. Hope this works for someone else.

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Answer 2

Jan 30, 2012 5:21 AM in response to SuperGenericBob

Hello

Try resetting the PRAM and SMC.

Barry

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Answer 3

Feb 1, 2012 6:50 AM in response to Barry Hemphill

Thanks Barry but I've tried all that. Even tried it all again this morning just because you suggested it. I still get stuck on this screen. Any other suggestions? I find it really strange the keyboard is seen but the type is "unknown". I feel that there should be a way to reset the keyboard itself somehow...

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Answer 4

Feb 1, 2012 7:09 AM in response to SuperGenericBob

Hello:

At this point I would suspect a KB failure. You could take it to an Apple store to see if it would work there.

Barry

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Answer 5

Jan 18, 2013 2:10 PM in response to SuperGenericBob

Had the same problem this Am and I fixed it by doing two things. Since I did them both simultaneously, I'm not sure which one did it, so there goes the scientific method:

1. I used Energizer batteries instead of Duracell. I had a problem years ago with Maglites not working and the company advised me to try Enrgizers which fixed the flashlight. Not sure if it applies, but I did use Duracells when the problem started, then switched them to Energizers.

2 Trashed the Bluetooth preference file. Go to Home (your User folder) > Library > Preferences, find blietooth preferences, then drag it to the trash, but don't empty the trash. Do a restart. That forces the OS to build a new prefs file.

I did those two things, the Mini immediately found the keyboard, asked me to type in code, paired and is now working like a champ again.

HTH

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