Q: Wireless Keyboard & Trackpad Spontaneously Disconnect

In the past month I've had an issue with my wireless keyboard and trackpad both randomly disconnecting from my 2011 imac. I can be working away on them when they both become unresponsive. I don't receive any sort of visual warning to tell me the devices have been disconnected. When they do work the battery level is >90%. Removing batteries and restarting the devices tends not to solve the problem, although at that stage I will receive a warning stating the devices have been disconnected. They seem to randomly become responsive again together without any other intervention. As this affects both devices at the same time I'm assuming it's a software issue and any help in solving it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)

Posted on Jul 28, 2013 8:04 AM

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Q: Wireless Keyboard & Trackpad Spontaneously Disconnect

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by callumbm,

callumbm Jul 28, 2013 8:10 AM in response to callumbm
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Jul 28, 2013 8:10 AM in response to callumbm

i've just connect my iphone to my imac, and itunes froze and my keyboard and trackpad became unresponsive again. the usb mouse i have connected to the imac functions correctly however and all other applications are working fine
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by rkaufmann87,

rkaufmann87 Jul 28, 2013 8:13 AM in response to callumbm
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Jul 28, 2013 8:13 AM in response to callumbm

You may have a corrupt preference, please follow these instrucitons carfully.

Open a Finder Window
Click Go menu
Click Go to Folder....
Copy and paste ~/library/preferences/com.apple.Bluetooth.plist to the search box and hit enter.
When file is located drag it to the desk top and and then try testing.

Post results
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by callumbm,

callumbm Jul 28, 2013 8:22 AM in response to rkaufmann87
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Jul 28, 2013 8:22 AM in response to rkaufmann87

thanks for the reply. just to clarify, what am i testing?
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by rkaufmann87,

rkaufmann87 Jul 28, 2013 8:29 AM in response to callumbm
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Jul 28, 2013 8:29 AM in response to callumbm

Pleae re-read the first line of my post, it says "You may have a corrupt preference.." you are not testing, you will be resetting the bluetooth preference file.
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by callumbm,

callumbm Jul 28, 2013 8:32 AM in response to rkaufmann87
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Jul 28, 2013 8:32 AM in response to rkaufmann87

i have placed that file on my desktop, removed the batteries and turned on both devices again, however the problem persists.
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by rkaufmann87,

rkaufmann87 Jul 28, 2013 9:28 AM in response to callumbm
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Jul 28, 2013 9:28 AM in response to callumbm

I did not tell you to remove the batteries. Please try to follow these directions.

Connect a USB keyboard (any type will work)

Open System Prefrences - Bluetooth - highlight both the keyboard and mouse and click the X next to them to delete them.

Select Advanced and make sure each box is checked.

Remove batteries from both the keyboard and mouse and if not automatically discovered follow the instructions in:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1809

and

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2845
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by Linc Davis,

Linc Davis Jul 28, 2013 9:47 AM in response to callumbm
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Applications

Jul 28, 2013 9:47 AM in response to callumbm

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: Potential sources of wireless interference
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Q: Wireless Keyboard & Trackpad Spontaneously Disconnect

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by callumbm,

by rkaufmann87,

by callumbm,

by rkaufmann87,

by callumbm,

by rkaufmann87,

by Linc Davis,

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