El Capitan problems with Apple Wireless Keyboard

App & System Services Core OS Beta macOS

Created Sep ’15

Replies 44

Boosts 0

Views 51k

Participants 21

I'm on a 5K iMac and Apple Wireless Keyboard running the El Capitan GM seed, and sometimes when I awake it from sleep, my keyboard becomes unusable -- it still recognizes keystrokes, but the keystrokes registered do not correspond what what I input. For example, I require my password when resuming from sleep, and if I hit even one key, there will be a small delay and then the password field will start filling with a long string of characters. It's not an infinite string, so it will eventually stop, and I can't see what keys are being filled since it's a password (hidden). The mouse seems to work fine, but the keyboard becomes useless. It doesn't always happen when the computer goes to sleep, and a hard reboot will always fix this problem. Also, a wired Apple keyboard works perfectly, even when the wireless keyboard exhibits this problem. I've tried two Apple Wireless Keyboard with the same results, so I don't think it's the keyboard. I've also done a clean install of El Capitan, and this still happens, so it's not a weird software glitch specific to my install.

I've noticed this issue since earlier El Capitan developer preview versions (can't remember exactly when it started), but I always figured it would get ironed out by the GM. Now that it still exists in the GM, I'm beginning to think maybe something else may be going on. Has anyone else experienced anything like this? Thanks in advance!

Boost

Clum84l OP

Oct ’15

Same issue here with a macbook connected to thunderbolt display and using a wireless keyboard. Extremely frustrating as a restart doesnt fix for me, so I have to remove the wireless keyboard from the bluetooth settings then re connect it. The only other change other than installing El Capitan Ive made, is to start using file vault. Ive disabled this just to see if it makes a difference.

jesus.subias OP

Oct ’15

I've got exactly the same problem. I've tried several things but with no results up to now. No need for me to reconnect the keyboard. When I restart, the problem solves.

saratogablake OP

Oct ’15

I've had this same infuriating BT problem since EC GM...and it has continuted in the current released cut of El C. Not just KB though. Mouse will drop BT, randomly connet to my wife's iP6 or drop my Magic pad. The suggestion above is now what I'm testing to solve the problem. I've turned on "Prevent computer from sleeping automatically when the display is off".....hopefully this will fix this issue temporarily as a work around....but I expect Apple to fix the recurring unreliablity of their BT tech. None of us have time for this petty nusciance issues.

I'm very close to dropping all of the BT devices on this box and going back to USB. Really hope I don't have to do that.

I'm using a iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014) with 4GHZ i7, 16GB RAM, 3TB Fusion drive connected BT devices are Apple Wireless Keyboard, Apple Magic Mouse, and Apple Wireless Trackpad

gamebroz OP

Oct ’15

Sorry spoke way to soon. I'm still experiencing the same Bluetooth problems others are writing about. I have an iMac 21 inch. I have replaced both the keyboard and the mouse. After replacing things work for a bit and then the weirdness returns. This is a frustrating bug for sure.

amsimms OP

Oct ’15

I have a 5K Imac, and the keyboard issue started after El Capitan upgrade. After sleep, the keyboard is unusable and in one or more of these failure modes:

No key strokes recorded
One keystroke repeated hundreds of times (especially fun if the key is command-N, for new window--can quickly fill my screen with new Chrome Windows)
Random characters being displayed

I usually have to power cycle/reconnect the keyboard to get it to work, also tried fresh batteries. It will stay working until the next sleep.

SJ would have had non-linear event and there would be a large cadre of folks seeking new employment had this happened while he was alive. Please fix this.

gamebroz OP

Oct ’15

I read some where today that new Bluetooth devices are going to be available soon. A new keyboard, mouse and trackpad. Could this be why so many of us are having problems with our older versions of these devices?

gamebroz OP

Oct ’15

Since I replaced both my keyboard and my mouse with some extra ones I had I have not experienced this problem any further. I unpaired the original keyboard and mouse. I then paired my iMac with a different keyboard and mouse and everything works perfectly.

BeeS4335 OP

Oct ’15

It was reassuring to find I'm not alone in experiencing this wretched login from sleep issue. All my attempts to workaround the problem have been ultimately unsuccessful. I post this to keep the thread active while at the same time acknowledging it's based on El Capitan beta build. I guess I'm just going to have to power down each time it happens and hopr that Apple are aware that this is happening and are debugging.

spunkybart OP

Oct ’15

It started before El Capitan -- I have had the same situation happen for the last several OS versions. I do NOT have a 5K iMac -- rather a 27" 2012. So, it's not machine specific or OS specific.

It is not a frequent occurence for me, but when it happens, it is annoying.

Today, I could not login after sleep. I tried canceling, pressing the pairing button on the keyboard, switching users -- nothing worked. The keyboard would not type what I was typing, instead filling the password field with a long string of *******

In the end, I shut the Mac down manually with the power button, and removed the batteries from the keyboard before I could login!

Sternenfeuer OP

Oct ’15

Same issue here with a 27" late 2012 iMac.

I asked the Support and they tried to solve it with me for about 1,5h on phone (PM + SMC Reset, repair rights :-) ) .... some hours later the error occured again!

Now they send me a new one, but you can guess, 2 hours after the old one was on its way back to Apple, the error was here again .....

To solve the problem (for a while) i turn the keybord off and on again.

gamebroz OP

Oct ’15

Accepted Answer

I was experiencing very strange behaviour with my keyboard also. When I tried to log into my iMac from time to time the keyboard response was extremely erratic. Today I experienced the exact same effect but this time I was logged into my iMac and trying to use spotlight search. I would enter a word and it took several seconds for each of the characters of the word to appear. When I hit space bar the space would advance at about 10 to 15 spaces. It turns out my trackpad was the problem. The moment I disconnected it from the iMac the keyboard returned to normal use. I usually keep by trackpad close to the keyboard tray. I've since reconnected it but have moved it up and off to the side. So far keyboard acting normally. I know this does not help Macbook Pro/Air users who are experiencing similar problems but there is definitely something wrong with the trackpad setup. Anyway hope this helps you also.

Clum84l OP

Oct ’15

Confirmed here. Disconnecting the trackpad from bluetooth settings causes the keyboard to start operating normally again.

Please aknowledge this, Apple. It is incredibly frustrating and costing a load of time.

jpwgibson OP

Oct ’15

Interestingly, I am still running my Magic Trackpad - but have reverted to a wired keyboard and mouse - and the problem hasn't occurred since I've reverted to these (about 3 days; it formerly had been occurring several times per day).

docmsr OP

Oct ’15

I have the same problem as all the others. Have decided to shut computer and reboot each time I'm using it. Hope that Apple determines and corrects this problem so that I will be able to use this computer efficiently.