Why is my mac mouse connected but not working?

Why is my mac mouse connected but not working?
I recently ran into an issue where my mac mouse is connected but not working, and it’s starting to get really frustrating. My mouse was operating perfectly fine, and then all of a sudden, it stopped responding even though it is still showing as connected to my Mac. The cursor isn’t moving at all, and I’ve tried clicking various buttons, but nothing seems to be registering. I’ve checked the battery, and it’s fully charged. It’s really confusing because there are no indications of any connectivity issues; everything seems to be in order on the connection front. However, it just refuses to work. I haven’t made any recent changes to my system or installed new software, so I can’t pinpoint what might be causing this problem. What could possibly be going wrong here, and why isn’t my mac mouse working despite being connected?
4 Answers

Your situation is quite perplexing given that the mouse shows as connected but isn’t working. When my mouse malfunctioned, I deleted the existing Bluetooth profile and rediscovered the device. Navigate to System Preferences > Bluetooth, find your mouse, and remove it. Then, pair it again. Additionally, ensure no interference from other wireless devices nearby. Even other Bluetooth devices can sometimes interfere. Also, check any accessibility settings that might be causing restrictions. It may seem trivial, but sometimes the simplest checks identify the problem.

- Check Bluetooth Connection: First, make sure the Bluetooth on your Mac is functioning properly. Sometimes a simple disconnection and reconnection can resolve the issue. Go to System Preferences > Bluetooth, toggle it off and then back on. 2. Reset the Mouse: If you have a wireless mouse, try turning it off and back on. For wired mice, try unplugging and re-plugging it into a different USB port. 3. Update macOS: Sometimes, updating your macOS to the latest version can solve connectivity issues. Go to System Preferences > Software Update, and check for any available updates.

I’ve had this issue more than once, and I understand how annoying it can be. Here are some other troubleshooting steps that you might find useful: 1. PRAM and SMC Reset: Occasionally, resetting your Mac’s PRAM and SMC can resolve weird hardware issues like this. Look up the steps for your specific model because it can vary slightly. 2. Move USB Devices: If you are using a wired mouse and other USB devices as well, try connecting your mouse directly to the Mac without using any hubs or extensions. USB devices can sometimes cause conflicts when too many are connected. 3. Check for Interference: Wireless mice can have problems if there are other devices causing interference. Microwave ovens, cordless phones, and other wireless devices can sometimes cause issues. Try relocating your Mac or the mouse to see if that helps. 4. Open Activity Monitor: Sometimes, a background application or process might be causing issues. Open the Activity Monitor and check if there is anything unusual consuming too much CPU or if there is any mouse-related application behaving erratically. When my Mac mouse wasn’t working, performing these steps usually helped narrow down the issue. It’s often something simple yet overlooked.

The problem you’re describing can be extremely frustrating. I’ve faced a similar issue, and here’s how I resolved it: I inspected the USB ports by unplugging all other peripherals to see if there was any disruption. After reconnecting the mouse, I cleaned the mouse’s sensor, as dust can sometimes interfere with its functionality. Lastly, I restarted my Mac, which surprisingly fixed the issue. Make sure to also look into potential software conflicts that might be causing the mouse to freeze.