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TM100 Author

Level 1

32 points

Wireless keyboard won't connect

Apple wireless keyboard (2009)

Mac Pro 5,1

Lion 10.7.5

Apple wireless keyboard won't connect after changing batteries. It is listed as a paired device under Bluetooth preferences but using the 'Connect' option fails. The keyboard does not go to discovery mode.

I'm answering my own question because there seems to be a lot of voodoo around the problem. The following worked for me after trying a lot of different stuff.

Go to System Preferences -> Bluetooth. Delete the keyboard from the list of devices by pressing the '-' button.
Alternatively you can delete the plist file but it shouldn't be necessary if the keyboard is the only problem. Deleting this file means restarting all other bluetooth devices to force them to reconnect. The plist file is in /Library/Preferences and is called com.apple.Bluetooth.plist.
Take the batteries out of the keyboard and reinsert them - don't power on the keyboard yet. This puts the keyboard in discovery mode the next time it's switched on.
In Bluetooth Preferences press the '+' button to add a new device.
When the Bluetooth Setup Assistant is displayed hold down the power button on the keyboard and don't release it! The keyboard should now appear in the list of devices.
Press 'Continue' - remember to keep pressing the keyboard power button while hitting 'Continue'. You should get an 8 digit passcode from the setup assistant.
Now release the keyboard power button and enter the passcode.
Press return - the keyboard is now paired.
Go to back to Bluetooth preferences and select the keyboard in the device list.
Press the gear icon and select 'Update Services'. Without this last step you may have to reconnect the keyboard from the Bluetooth menu after every startup.

Hope that helps.

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.5), Apple Wireless Keyboard (2009)

Posted on May 27, 2013 2:53 PM

Best reply

Treymona

Level 1

8 points

Posted on Oct 15, 2017 8:04 AM

This didn’t work for me cause I have a password, so when I restart my system it shows me the password space for me to type in my password.

Without the keyboard how do I do that?

Please I need help with this ASAP, anyone please.

Thank you.

View in context

156 replies

jetnet99

Level 1

0 points

Mar 9, 2016 2:26 PM in response to Guy Hollister

What resolved this problem for me was not understanding that I had a whole

load of Bluetooth devices in my house that the keyboard could "see".

It was only by taking the keyboard out of my house and walking 100m up the

road that I could get it to start the flashing pairing sequence again by

pressing the power button.

Back in range of the computer again and it paired without a problem.

On 9 March 2016 at 21:57, Apple Support Communities Updates <

Mar 9, 2016 2:33 PM in response to jetnet99

Exactly ! One of which can be your car bluetooth ! Very good point jetnet99.

kbastian

Level 1

23 points

Mar 9, 2016 4:43 PM in response to Guy Hollister

THanks, it will only blink 2 or 3 times amd turns off, i see the next comments about leaving the house - but i already ordered a usb keyboard on amazon for $14 since ive been trying for days to get it reconnected. It worked perfectly until i changed batteries amd i know they work because i swapped with another keyboard amd same thing.

EasyTom

Level 1

5 points

Mar 10, 2016 4:00 AM in response to TM100

I was doing this - thanks - but have found a quicker way that works for me:

I power off the keyboard by holding the button until off. Then I go to my Bluetooth menu and click the dropdown so I can see my listed keyboard and select "Connect". Then I just hold the power button on my keyboard until it connects again and then let go.

That works for me when my Mac 'loses' my keyboard.

Jul 22, 2016 9:11 AM in response to TM100

I could not get my keyboard and mouse to connect to my mac pro no matter what I did. Turns out I had my laptop open three floors away, and it had grabbed the keyboard and mouse. Sometimes it's not a computer problem ... :-)

Derm

appreciate

Level 4

1,278 points

Jul 22, 2016 9:33 AM in response to TM100

you can also follow an apple article it might help : Set up your Apple wireless devices - Apple Support

toadc

Level 1

4 points

Jul 31, 2016 7:02 AM in response to TM100

Thank you. I was starting to think my keyboard was connecting to a neighbor and was losing my sanity. This worked out perfectly for me on the first try!

Cheers

PTP

rdudolph

Level 1

4 points

Aug 12, 2016 3:54 PM in response to TM100

I signed up to thank you.

Succinct s***. Digging out an old laptop running 10.6.8 to keep on working and your instructions saved me an hour of frustration.

I love your bones,

Aug 26, 2016 12:37 AM in response to TM100

this used to work, but my Bluetooth preferences no longer has a + or – option and nowhere can I find an "add new device" link. Since I've deleted my keyboard from the list I'm a bit stuck.

Any clues?

Sep 4, 2016 7:09 PM in response to TM100

Thank you ;-)

Sep 8, 2016 2:41 PM in response to TM100

This is BRILLIANT! No, YOU'RE brilliant. Seriously. After following your instructions, the keyboard finally paired. 🙂 Thanks so much for posting this.

Kristin

Sep 12, 2016 5:12 AM in response to TM100

Great help! Thank you!

Sep 12, 2016 5:35 AM in response to TM100

I use Photoshop occasionally and if I don’t close everything else down, after about 15 minutes, the Bluetooth keyboard just goes on a lunch break and doesn’t return. It’s quick and 100% effective for me.

Preferences -> Bluetooth ->Advanced -> <b>uncheck</b> the "Allow Bluetooth devices to wake this computer
Restart computer
Preferences -> Bluetooth ->Advanced -> <b>check</b> the "Allow Bluetooth devices to wake this computer
Restart the computer

--GG

Oct 1, 2016 10:11 AM in response to TM100

I have an issue, where every time I turn off my computer the keyboards unsync and I have to do this all over again. Any tips on how to fix that?

kbastian

Level 1

23 points

Oct 2, 2016 11:06 PM in response to Daniel FL

that definitely should not happen, however I am curious why you turn off a Mac? I only reboot my macs once or twice a year. They recover from sleep so wonderfully, you really don't need to ever shut them off like you do with PCs. as for why they don't pair again, that is something of a mystery. Of course the old saying is make sure you have the latest operating system. But that's not much help. LOL my question back is really just why do you turn off a Mac?

Wireless keyboard won't connect