Macbook pro 2015 stuck in Bluetooth setup mode after start up, won't recognize on board keyboard or track pad. SMC reset doesn't work.

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Level 1

7 points

Macbook pro 2015 stuck in Bluetooth setup mode after start up, won't recognize on board keyboard or track pad. SMC reset doesn't work.

My Macbook Pro 2015 has periodically stopped (and now permanently stopped) responding to the on board track pad and keyboard. This seemed to start around the same time I got a Bluetooth headset; when I turn on the computer, it is stuck in Bluetooth setup mode. I have tried resetting the SMC and that doesn't work. I do not have a Bluetooth keyboard to even try with it. I also cannot boot in safe mode. It seems completely stuck. Any help you might be able to offer would be great!

MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch,Early 2015), OS X Yosemite (10.10.5)

Posted on Dec 26, 2015 3:26 AM

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Answer 1

Sep 21, 2017 6:27 AM in response to rad trp

I have the same problem. I connected my laptop to bluetooth speakers for 5-6hrs a day for 2 weeks at a stretch and this problem started showing up - Mac not recognising the keyboard and trackpad. I think this is a bug with these model of laptops. Every time this happens I reboot in PRAM mode and the keyboard works fine after that.

Hope this helps!

Cheers,

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Answer 2

AppleJoe

Community Manager

Dec 28, 2015 4:49 PM in response to rad trp

Hello rad trp,

Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities!

From your post, I understand that your internal keyboard and trackpad on your MacBook Pro are no longer responding and now you see the Bluetooth set up screen on the computer. I also see that you tried resetting the SMC, but that didn’t seem to work because the keys on the built in keyboard are not responding.

I know that you don’t have a bluetooth keyboard you can connect, but do you have a USB keyboard? Even a USB keyboard made for a Windows computer will work. If you do, I would suggest connecting that keyboard and using those keys to perform not only a SMC reset, but reset the PRAM as well. Instructions on both of these resets can be found in the links below if you need them.

Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac - Apple Support

OS X Yosemite: Reset your computer’s PRAM

Cheers!

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Answer 3

AppleJoe

Community Manager

Jan 1, 2016 6:19 AM in response to rad trp

Hi again rad top,

Thanks for replying with this information. Because your computer is still experiencing these issues after the previous troubleshooting, I would suggest contacting Apple Support directly. Contacting AppleCare will allow us to dig further into your specific situation and help to get it resolved.

MacBook Pro - Contact Support - Apple Support

Best

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Answer 4

rad trp Author

Level 1

7 points

Dec 28, 2015 4:49 PM in response to AppleJoe

Hi Joe_7399,

Thank you very much! I was able to get in to get the Bluetooth turned off and reset my SMC and PRAM, and it seemed to work once to restart it and turn on, register the keyboard and track pad normally. Is this a known problem?

Thanks!

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Answer 5

rad trp Author

Level 1

7 points

Jan 1, 2016 1:44 AM in response to rad trp

Hi Joe_7399,

Just kidding... The problem is back. Only now it doesn't search for Bluetooth, it just sits there without the keyboard or track pad working at all. I can reset the smc, the indicator light on the power supply flashes, but it still doesn't help. This is definitely not a solved problem. Is there anything I can do?? My computer basically is unusable...

Thanks,

Hannah

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Answer 6

Mar 26, 2017 10:00 AM in response to rad trp

Dear Hannah, I am Lars from Sweden and I have the same problem now as you had with the Bluetooth keyboard setup. How did you finaly fix it? Did you go to Apple to repair the computer?

Many thanks¨

/Lars

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Answer 7

Eric Root

Level 10

686,649 points

Jan 1, 2016 10:04 AM in response to rad trp

Have you tried disconnecting/turning off the headset and then restart the computer to see if the headset is the problem?

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