trackpad won't connect with bluetooth

I had to move my iMac and disconnect everything. Now that everything is set back up again, I can't get my trackpad to connect. Any solutions?

Just have to add that Jeff DeMello's solution worked well. Had to turn off the Bluetooth and start the trackpad a couple of times but it finally worked like a champ. This is not my normal experience with Apple devices so I am curious what is going on here that these devices lock up and don't connect/pair up with the computer.

I found that my trackpad paired up to another computer close by on it's own. I clicked on Bluetooth devices and went to the Trackpad and clicked on "disconnect". Then went to the computer I wanted my trackpad to pair with and turned off Bluetooth and then back on. Trackpad paired with no problem.

Not to coin a phrase, but the same thing is happening to me. Recently, for whatever reason, my trackpad, wireless on the iMac is disconnecting. The cursor will just stop. First time, I replaced the batteries and that worked. Second time I couldn't remember how long it had been so I replaced the batteries again and it worked. Happened this morning and I know the batteries are good so I took them out and put them back in. Cursor fired up and all is well. Didn't do anything with the bluetooth setting on the Mac. THis never used to happen and I can't think of anything different going on. I did get my wife a wireless Apple magic mouse recently, but I think this was happening before that. The two computers are farily close, so if it's a wireless interference issue, that might explain it. So far I have no fix other than the above.

My trackpad ceased functioning with my iMac after connecting a new Belkin numeric keypad to my wife's MBA 12 feet away. That pairing procedure seemed to also pair my trackpad to the MBA.

I deleted and readded several times and would see the trackpad momentarily show "connected" in the Preferences window, then "disconnected."

Jeff's procedure allowed me to re-pair my trackpad with my iMac.

Changing the batteries worked for me.

I'd been using rechargeable batteries which are still working fine in the wireless keyboard but the trackpad wouldn't connect or re-pair.

Changed to regular batteries as a test, and it's working fine.

Off to buy some new rechargeable batteries....

Best solution, Jeff, thanks! I think the "magic trick" for me was to simply switch Bluetooth off then back on on my Mac. That itself seemed to make it come clear. Mind you, I had had the Trackpad successfully linked before, and was just relinking. While I was hacking away, trying to reconnect, I think I had tried every other tactic in your list as well. Thanks again!

PS I have this problem frequently enough, I'll probably end up back here again. In fact, I think I'll bookmark the page!

I may have had a different version of this problem so I'll add this should it effect someone. I was setting up a new computer and had my old computer in target disk mode. Couldn't get the new computer to recognise my trackpad no matter what I tried. When I shut off my old computer I was able to immediately connect my trackpad. Somehow the old computer being on, even in target disk mode was interfering with the bluetooth signal.

I just want to point out that on some configurations, all of your input devices may be connected via Bluetooth. In this case, your computer will tell you that you can't turn off Bluetooth (because then how would you control the computer?), which could be a problem if you don't have any spare USB keyboards and mice around.

The solution in this case is to find and throw away your Bluetooth preference file, then log out (or turn off). When you log in next time, you'll be able to follow Jeff's instructions, skipping steps 2 and 3.

This worked for me!

Just had this problem and eventually found that my Trackpad had associated itself with my MacBook even though that's 30 yards away and my desktop is six inches away. Scared the **** out of the guy I'd lent my MB to.

I actually had a rough couple of hours getting my keyboard and Trackpad reconnected before I found this thread. The solution that worked for the keyboard, resetting the SMC, did not work for the trackpad. For a while after getting the keyboard reconnected, my Mini would "discover" the trackpad, but it would not pair. Then it wouldn't even discover. I finally turned Bluetooth off and on for probably the fifth time, then turned the trackpad back on, and it finally paired. I mention all this because I could discern no pattern here. What finally seemed to work was something I'd tried several times before without success. I don't know whether this is a problem with OS X or the Bluetooth hardware, but it's most definitely a bug in the computer somewhere. From the length of this thread and others like it, the problem seems to have been ongoing for at least FOUR YEARS. I'm amazed and disappointed that Apple hasn't acknowledged, addressed, and rectified it by now. As much as we might hate to here it, there are some areas in which a Windows PC is easier to get along with than a Mac!

Go to the bluetooth explorer app post. This finally got it for me. Don't forget to restart after you delete the trackpad.

This is absolutely unacceptable for Apple to fail to respond to the issue which has cost many of us hours and hours of frustration. Fix it Apple...pretty please.

I had the very same problem. My solution (after trying Bluetooth Explorer app and a couple of other methods) was to simply restart MacBook Pro. Then, Magic Mouse was discovered right away in "Set Up Bluetooth Trackpad..." in System Preferences > Trackpad.

Jeff DeMello - I'd like to reach through my MBP and give you a huge hug! I spent 1.5 hours last night and 1.0 hour this morning trying everything to get my Magic Trackpad to pair/connect via Bluetooth with no success. I can't tell you how many batteries I've tried and reboot sequences (Bluetooth on, Bluetooth off, etc). I even tried holding down the power button on the trackpad but didn't hold it down through the end process (only til the light started blinking). So to anyone else out there, it's crucial to continue holding the power button - even after the blinking pair light starts - until there's a successful connection. Worked like a charm. In less than 2 minutes it was up and running!

Thank you SO much! 😎

Bella

Jeff...your recommended steps worked for me, but only after I replaced the batteries. The batteries weren't that old, and there was no indication that my battery level was too low on the trackpad. I am wondering if the trackpad is that sensitive to voltage variations. Anyway, it is working now. Thanks for the detailed steps and your contribution to this topic.