I have unexpectedly begun experiencing recurrent problems with my iMac not able to "discover" my bluetooth Magic Mouse. The bluetooth system works fine to communicate with the keyboard (and can see the TV in the next room), and I have tried turning the bluetooth system off and back on with no result. When the bluetooth saw the mouse momentarily last night I was able to confirm that the mouse is 100% charged. I have googled some recommendations to remove the Mac's bluetooth preference list (plist), but as an English major that would challenge my tech skills. There is a second Mac in the room, but I don't believe there is any cross-talking or interference.
I've also been having problems reliably communicating with my new Canon printer, and had to resort to relying on the USB connector for that, but still having intermittent problems. I have also tried swearing in progressively increasing terms of abuse at all the devices, with no response yet.
So for the present I've had to dig out an ancient USB mouse with a color scheme that looks like it came with my old Performa. It works, but doesn't offer the right-click amenities and scrolling performance that I need to properly format blog posts.
So this is not another blogcation - but there will be a delay and decreased productivity.
English major here who keenly resents the idea that being able to read and think precludes me from understanding technology. You don't say what version of the macOS you are using. That would help locate where the plist file is.
ReplyDeleteI'm running Big Sur (11.1)
DeleteBummer!
ReplyDeleteSorry I can't help - remained significantly in the last century.
(only discovered your great blog last year and am thoroughly enjoying it!
Thanks!
Good luck!
Hard drive/Library/(In Catalina it's called)com.apple.Bluetooth.plist
ReplyDeleteDrag to desktop to make a copy, then drag to Trash and restart.
Good luck.
I had the same problem with my original Magic Mouse, the one powered by two AA batteries. It was fixed in the Magic Mouse 2, which is rechargeable. Never have Bluetooth connection problems now.
ReplyDeleteI know what that is like.
ReplyDeleteI've been using non rechargeable batteries of late, as the rechargeable ones have finally reached their final days, but store bought Eveready Super Heavy Duty batteries are a tad shorter in length and so any sudden hand drop onto the table results in a disconnect, and the slave dutifully pushes the batteries back in, with a twirl, and waits for an increasing long time for the mouse to find the shiny and pretty Apple, or vikki versa.
I must dig out that old wired mouse, circa last century, which is reliable but so spoiling of the look.
Ah, first world problems, not like the cats can't use the can opener.
That's a joke, I don't own a can opener, every can in the supermarket has a pull top. I just have to teach the cats how to do it.
WilliamRocket- alkaline batteries will work much better than heavy duty batteries for your mouse.
DeleteI used to have the same problem with my first Magic Mouse, the one powered by two AA batteries. This problem was resolved with the rechargeable Magic Mouse 2.
ReplyDeleteJust to clarify, this mouse does not have user-replaceable batteries; it's rechargeable in situ.
ReplyDeleteOoh, we don't get THEM in Oceania ... ours are either wired and cumbersome or AA powered and beautiful.
DeleteMac and its single button!
ReplyDeleteFWIW: Control + click is the same as right clicking on a Mac. It might take some getting used to, but it's what I still use more often than a right clicking mouse.
I read the headline and thought "You should get a cat!" But I also have wireless mouse problems. Had to keep the old iMac in order to play CDs and use the Canon scanner (proprietary software won't transfer to the newer iMac). One has a battery mouse; the other is rechargeable. Both throw fits occasionally. I am glad they aren't in the same room.
ReplyDeleteIf you are NOT up to the current OSs - Big Sur/Catalina. instead are running on trailing edges, like me/// say... Mojave or High Sierra etc, look for: yourhardrivename/library/preferences/com.apple.Bluetooth.plist and com.apple.Bluetooth.plist.AU5habX do as earlier poster said. drag to to desktop (I recommend creating a new folder there, perhaps named" old plists and move them into that folder) check to confirm that they are gone from the preference folder. restart. the OS will create new uncorrupted versions. if your machine now goes through a rediscovery of your mouse and life returns to normal, you can safely trash the desktop folder with its enclosed files you created. you may have to reopen the sys. preferences and redefine your right side functionality for the mouse.
ReplyDeleteCould someone close who is conversant with Apple.Inc. go and help him ?
ReplyDeleteIt's nearly 2022 and we shouldn't be having mouse problems.
i have been schadenfreude-ing over the apple policy to stop supporting earlier programs on newer OS versions. that is all while i have spent the last two weeks setting the privacy settings to be really private in a new windows 10 install, which, just to insult you, when you install it, takes the first five letters of whatever you happened to use as an account name and makes that as your user profile name. and then makes it really, REALLY hard and precarious to change.
ReplyDeleteI-)
A Mac fan all my life. After years of frustration with Bluetooth mouse, my daughter (not a Mac fan) convinced me to get a generic wired mouse for $15. End of problems.
ReplyDelete