trackpad won't connect with bluetooth

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Level 1

134 points

trackpad won't connect with bluetooth

Hello,

I upgraded to Mac OSX Lion some months ago and my trackpad connected without a problem. In the past week, my trackpad has been losing connection with the computer when it is sleeping. I have tried the trackpad with my laptop and it works fine, so I know it is an iMac/trackpad issue. I have also reset the PRAM to no avail.

Anyone have any ideas how to resolve this issue? The computer simply does not discover the trackpad.

Thanks.

lsb

iMac, Mac OS X (10.3.x)

Posted on Jan 30, 2012 12:01 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

bvandiviere

Level 1

4 points

Oct 4, 2017 3:35 PM in response to lsb

Jeff DeMello below had the answer that was the closest to helping me. With my MacBook Pro 2017, I had to modify the steps slightly:

Take off the battery cap of the Magic Trackpad
Turn off Bluetooth on the computer (in Bluetooth Preferences)
Turn on Bluetooth on (in Bluetooth Preferences)
Replace battery cap of the Magic Trackpad
Wait for the "sunburst" searching icon (in the upper right corner of dialogue box) to finish one cycle of searching for new bluetooth devices. Once it disappears:
Press, AND HOLD, the Power Button on the Magic Trackpad, AND KEEP HOLDING while green light is blinking.
While still holding button, select "Pair" when your device is discovered. Keep holding button!
Once the Magic Trackpad is connected you may release the Power Button on the Magic Trackpad

Thanks again, Jeff DeMello, for clear and concise instructions!

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Answer 2

lsb Author

Level 1

134 points

Jan 31, 2012 3:51 AM in response to 6ITManagement

Thanks for the thoughts. I've done both things. The issue is a connection one-the device is there, but can't be connected or discovered on my iMac-works fine on my laptop, which is very strange, especially as both have Lion running. I've even run Repair Permissions in disk repair to no avail, and can't figure this out-ahh!

Other thoughts appreciated and thanks again.

lsb

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Answer 3

Aug 20, 2017 1:32 PM in response to lsb

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I was away from my computer for 10 days and came back to a dead wireless trackpad, magic mouse and magic keyboard. I was able to charge the mouse and the keyboard but I have the older battery type trackpad. I've been troubleshooting for an hour when I found your post. No idea why but the trick seemed to be taking off the end of the trackpad. YAHOO! I'm using an iMac running system 10.12.6 FYI.

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Answer 4

Jan 31, 2012 3:16 AM in response to lsb

Turn the bluetooth on your computer off and back on. Also turn the trackpad off and on, it's not much of a solution, but the small things often fix huge problems!

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Answer 5

Jan 31, 2012 8:54 AM in response to lsb

Hmm... Do other bluetooth devices connect to the iMac?

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Answer 6

lsb Author

Level 1

134 points

Jan 31, 2012 10:11 AM in response to 6ITManagement

I couldn't get my other wireless mouse to connect-does that help?

Thanks.

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Answer 7

Jan 31, 2012 10:18 AM in response to lsb

Well, it kind of means that there really is something wrong with the iMac's bluetooth, and not just with the connection with your trackpad. Unfortunately I can not find any 'special' options in the bluetooth settings.

However you could try this:

Open "System Preferences"
Select the "Bluetooth" pane
Find your trackpad (it should say "Not Connected" underneath the name)
Select the trackpad and press the little "-" and confirm by clicking on "Remove"
Now, turn your bluetooth off and back on again, just in case

Please let me know whether this works or not.

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Answer 8

lsb Author

Level 1

134 points

Feb 1, 2012 12:47 AM in response to 6ITManagement

Well, tried your suggestion and it didn't work-still can't discover the trackpad as a device-I did initially discover someone else's smartphone, but on second attempt, that didn't come up either. Trackpad still works with laptop. Other suggestions?

Thanks.

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Answer 9

Feb 1, 2012 3:52 AM in response to lsb

There probably is some solution that involves some terminal-magic, but since I only know a few Terminal commands, I'm afraid you'll have to wait for a Terminal-wizard to reply to this post. You could also try contacting Apple and see what they have to say.

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Answer 10

lsb Author

Level 1

134 points

Feb 1, 2012 9:35 AM in response to 6ITManagement

Thanks for trying! I'll give Apple a ring.

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Answer 11

Feb 1, 2012 10:14 AM in response to lsb

You're very welcome! Please let me know what Apple says about the issue though, thanks.

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Answer 12

Jul 4, 2012 7:50 PM in response to lsb

Did u ever solve proble with trackpad?

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Answer 13

lsb Author

Level 1

134 points

Jul 5, 2012 12:38 AM in response to Greatestever1

Well I guess the answer to that is yes and no. The trackpad sometimes loses the connection, it can't be discovered, and then some hours or days later, it suddenly works again. I can't figure it out so I just have a mouse on standby.

Thanks...

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Answer 14

JWPNJ

Level 1

18 points

Jul 14, 2012 12:32 PM in response to lsb

Any other solutions here? I'm having the exact same problem. My trackpad is connected to my iMac. Went to the Apple store and tested the Trackpad and it worked fine. Bluetooth keyboard works fine.

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Answer 15

Jul 23, 2012 11:14 AM in response to lsb

Check to make sure your trackpad is not connected to another Mac in the area of your current Mac you're having the issue with.

In my experience the trackpad will not connect to a new device if it's currently connected to another device.

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