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iMac is locked and will not connect to to Bluetooth keyboard. HELP

MY ISSUE IS THE SAME AS THIS USER:

sdecherrie


User level:

Level 1

(5 points)

Desktops

Speciality level out of ten: 0


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Q:

iMac locked and bluetooth keyboard won't connect

Since the iMac is locked (I have password enabled on start-up and screen saver), I need to enter the password, but I can't because the bluetooth keyboard will not connect. The bluetooth mouse is connected and working, so the iMac bluetooth appears to still be working. I can also pair the bluetooth keyboard with another device (e.g., my ipad, iphone), so it also appears to still be working. The keyboard simply stopped pairing with my iMac, but because I can't log in, I can't further trouble-shoot. (After confirming the keyboard still works by pairing it with my ipad and iphone, I disconnected and forced those devices to "forget" the keyboard, so there should be no conflict. I have also rebooted both the iMac and the keyboard several times.)


My next step is presumably to order a USB keyboard and use that to log in and trouble-shoot further, but I certainly don't want to waste money on a USB keyboard if I don't have to. Any suggestions?


iMac 27″, macOS 11.2

Posted on Apr 12, 2021 8:58 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 12, 2021 9:07 AM

The following will require any USB keyboard and mouse. If you don’t have them, borrow or buy them, they are inexpensive!

        

  • Connect the USB keyboard and mouse to the computer.·        
  • Open System Preferences – Bluetooth·        
  • Un-pair the wireless keyboard and mouse.·        
  • Turn off Bluetooth·        
  • Restart the computer in Safe Mode per the directions in https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201262·        
  • Restart the computer normally.·        
  • Open System Preferences – Bluetooth·        
  • Turn on Bluetooth     
  • Re-Pair the wireless keyboard and mouse.     
  • Unplug the USB keyboard and mouse and begin testing the wireless devices again.
1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Apr 12, 2021 9:07 AM in response to dianefromstanton

The following will require any USB keyboard and mouse. If you don’t have them, borrow or buy them, they are inexpensive!

        

  • Connect the USB keyboard and mouse to the computer.·        
  • Open System Preferences – Bluetooth·        
  • Un-pair the wireless keyboard and mouse.·        
  • Turn off Bluetooth·        
  • Restart the computer in Safe Mode per the directions in https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201262·        
  • Restart the computer normally.·        
  • Open System Preferences – Bluetooth·        
  • Turn on Bluetooth     
  • Re-Pair the wireless keyboard and mouse.     
  • Unplug the USB keyboard and mouse and begin testing the wireless devices again.

iMac is locked and will not connect to to Bluetooth keyboard. HELP

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