How To Use Your Mac If Your Keyboard, Mouse or Trackpad Isn't Working

[@empoweredlips]

I just downloaded Mac Monterey on my 2015/2016 mac retina pro and it automatically turned off my trackpad and I don’t have a mouse. That was SO frustrating and so of course I scoured the internet looking for solutions and found nothing valuable UNTIL I saw your video and gave it a try. I am SO GRATEFUL I did. This was easy-to-understand instruction, valuable and actually worked! You saved me time, money and headache. Thank you so very much for sharing your knowledge with us. Thank you!!!

[@GPDF]

Dear Gary. Since I bought my first Mac (Mac mini M1) last December 2020, for the first time I lost my mouse in the configuration. Thanks to this video I was able to use the keyboard and restore my Magic Mouse connection. Your videos are very interesting and helpful and I like how clear you explain the things and how straightforward you are on the topics. Thank you so much for your help.

[@Pine_Peaks]

We missed one important step in this video... How do you log in if your keyboard is not working? The login screen on MacOS Catalina does not appear to have an on-screen keyboard option :(

[@paulatop9510]

Yesss how.? ;)

[@RafalSto]

I'm having this problem now. Can't log it...

[@abhilashjanapatla2949]

You should type your password before mouse keys on

[@Nelproo]

Exactly

[@TheJnetnunez]

So how do you do it if you have 2 users? Wont let me select one

[@alexsanson5051]

Mate good to know but my keyboard doesn't work so how do I log in

[@tanguypeter3125]

exactly

[@gabnwitch3175]

did you ever get it fixed

[@cyu3915]

My parents will kill me help

[@epicly8510]

Try restarting your computer

[@mrs.dynamight]

Plutc Keiji AHHH I NEED HELP TOO WHAT DO I DO

[@luluc7775]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!! you have literally saved my life, I accidently turned of the Bluetooth on my IMac and I'm useless with technology so this was REALLY helpful, thank youuuu

[@arelynavarro637]

I literally turned my off too and now i can’t connect notthing 😍💅🏻

[@estebang3423]

Any fix?😭

[@elhajjmalikel6266]

He didn't literally save your life...

[@GusSilber]

Thank you so much for this advice! My trackpad and mouse weren't being recognised by my iMac, and I wasn't able to find a solution anywhere else. Much appreciated!

[@paolacruz1306]

Hallelujah! Lately iMac has been disappointing me without the mouse my new desktop is useless, how does it randomly disconnect! I have so much work to do thanks to you I’ll get stuff done today instead of spending the whole day fixing this.

[@JohnMHammer]

Great video, Gary. This is a good thing for all Mac users to know. That said, as you said at the very end, it's a good idea to have a spare old keyboard and mouse (or trackpad) around just in case. This is kind of taken care of already if your Mac is in an environment with other Macs; you can borrow a spare easily. Otherwise, keep a spare somewhere - and keep spare batteries around if either of the primary input devices is wireless!

[@CarlosCordovaAlvarez-f9e]

Super helpful! I bought a mac mini for the first time and lost the Bluetooth pairing. This was the best content out there for this situation. Thanks!

[@BrendanMayer]

Your video saved my life! I was trying to connect my bluetooth mouse to a new Mac Mini, but couldn't click "connect" (since mouse wasn't working). Searched the web for 40 minutes until I found your video. Thank you!

[@jakeyounglol]

thank you so much you saved my mac. i am typing this on my iMac with a broken mouse. i have a keyboard with a numeric keypad so you saved me

[@sisterandsistervlogs4151]

TYSM

[@ecemozdemir1339]

Pp

[@tedgaming5324]

How do I log in in first place

[@m1forevs.]

Yeah I know

[@m1forevs.]

I know how to login lol hope you know to

[@m1forevs.]

You click command or options 5 times turn off your computer at the back then a dark circle should go around your login thing If you click enter or space you should be able to see the screen where your picture is for your login then there should be were you should put in the password lol I know this but no one else dose Bruuuuu

[@rebirb.]

@@m1forevs. but how to do you type command without a keyboard

[@flatwaterfe5089]

finally i got my MacBook unlock thought #WIRELESS_HACKER1 on Instagram thank MAn.

[@maz_amor]

Thanks , but Why my tab doesn't go to another links , for example in system preferences I type mouse and then when I tab stays in the search box.

[@aruvinue239]

😑 but how am I going to keyboard if the dam MOUSE DOES NOR WORK

[@staazytthy]

Same

[@wandaholmes9754]

Exactly my mouse isn’t working to get to these options

[@karenstone9865]

Yep! Same issue. Hit option & return on the keyboard. You can then login using your keyboard.

[@aaronhillsworld]

OMG I have not felt so validated in my life lol 😂

[@mjanedavis]

Me either, my keyboard and mouse is not working I don’t know what’s going on. I don’t know how to open it either 🥺

[@noahcrosley]

Thank you, friend. I was nearly ready to throw the computer away until I saw this video. So helpful for setting up a bluetooth mouse on my brand new (to me) Mac mini.

[@celeuse3165]

Best video so far! Mine was a Bluetooth connection between iMac and magic mouse 2 problem but through your thorough elaboration of every step, I got it working even after the apple support failed me. Thank you so much!

[@Justin-yy1xx]

god , thank you so much for your patient and careful instruction. I was able to shut down my iMac after the cursor froze thanks to your video. numerous other KZbin videos were no help at all/. thanks again !

[@ATIKURRAHMAN-mo3em]

But I can’t even log in n keyboard not working but shows connected?

[@lifeisjustagame4479]

Sameeee

[@mistahmst]

I really don’t think he thought that far ahead

[@jeremiahwilliams422]

Try using siri if u have hey siri look up a command u can say to get siri started from there on u can tell siri wat to do

[@cbmx1x1]

This video is by far the most important thing I’ve watched on KZbin in recent memory. You saved my butt!

[@startlovinglife]

Thank you soooo much!! None of these worked for me as I turned off my Bluetooth because my airdrop wasn’t working and of course all off a sudden my mouse doesn’t work. YIKES!! BUT, while watching your video, I thought to take a spare mouse from my laptop (not my Apple mouse) and plugged it into my desktop AND IT WORKED!! So I was able to get my Bluetooth back on!! HOOOOORAY for extra mouses!! Thanks sooo much for posting!!

[@angieb350]

I am screaming THANK YOU! Your video got me back to typing and I am able to meet my deadline. Thank you again for sharing your knowledge!

[@francesmg71]

Thank you!! Idk ANYTHING about Apple and my daughter was frustrated as she couldn't get in her computer to do work. We changed our wifi and her mouse was not working. I was able to figure out how to use keyboard and reconnect to wifi and it took me less than an hour lol Thank you🙏

[@bobbyhutter5654]

thank you so much for this video! im aspiring for a super minimalist setup and was hoping there was a way to nix the mouse entirely. now i just have to figure out why Mouse Keys isn't working with my bluetooth keyboard.

[@MyName-zk6jq]

Did you find out the problem I really need to know the answer why it isn’t working

[@McQueenPaul]

I wish I had known this a week ago. On upgrading to Big Sur I found on day 2 that the keyboard didn't work so I couldn't sign in. Very frustrating. I tried my 2nd keyboard which was bluetooth but the system change had cancelled the connection. A virtual keyboard would have saved the day, assuming I could have got to system preferences to turn it on. I ended up having to take it to my local service and paid £40 for the privilege of getting up and running again.

[@HealthyHappyVIP-ke2un]

Thank you! It took a while but at last I have my BT mouse working again on my Mac Mini. For some reason it won’t work through the USB, so will have to Google that now!

[@drnik67]

Oh you absolute LEGEND! Cursor/mouse had been lagging/freezing for a week, then finally decided to stick in the top left corner. I was trying to use recovery to reinstall Monterey (which I wish I’d never upgraded to in the first place) but couldn’t get to the continue button using voiceover. Nowhere I looked talked about mouse buttons! You rock!

[@ler5299]

Thank you - I was unable to select the file menu with the keyboard at all - but your trick fixed it. Genius!

[@carlosprovyrivera8522]

Great tips! I can personally attest to the need for keeping an old USB keyboard hanging around. One time I inadvertently shutdown Bluetooth. Bam! No keyboard / no mouse. I had to borrow my neighbor’s keyboard to restart Bluetooth. Made me wonder after the fact why Apple would even allow me to turn off Bluetooth in the first place.

[@macmost]

I think, though I'm not 100%, that if you disconnect all USB devices from your Mac restart it with the power button, then you put your mouse or keyboard into Bluetooth pairing mode while restarting, it will find the mouse or keyboard.

[@GS-of3zz]

Gary. Thanks so very much. Losing my mind after an update left me without Bluetooth stranded.

[@LoryN-vg4hj]

Great tutorial....used your guidance to complete a new mouse set up when bluetooth was off

[@steadmanuhlich6734]

Gary, this video answered a question I have been having, as I try to fix a problem with my iMac. Thank you for producing such excellent tutorial videos about how to use a Mac. I have now watched about 20 of your videos, subscribed, and will continue to watch more to learn more. Your presentations are very good, nicely illustrated, clear in instructions, spoken at a good pace for learners, and helpful. Thanks!

[@michaelbyrne7583]

Thank you, you have helped me solve a problem that it's taken me two whole days to solve!

[@puffcooper1984]

My track pad works, but my Mac won’t go into anything you have mentioned. The options don’t even come up. Nothing is working apart from clicking on the power, reset or put on hold button. I have also plugged another keyboard in and it does not work. Can you help please?

[@hammerwielder]

This works for 10.12.6 Sierra. No other video works for this version but this video works perfectly..

[@heizenburr5998]

The most helpful tutorial I’ve ever witness your a life saver

[@pusteabadia]

Thank you so much! It worked! I used the 5 x option method and I was up and running in 5 minutes with my mouse. 🧨🧨🧨🧨🧨

[@IRLVaporwave]

the best Mac channel on YT!

[@samdominguez7471]

I went through six or seven videos before I got to yours thank you so much for all the information your video is the only one that actually helped

[@heyla808]

This totally worked. Thank you so much for the tutorial!

[@jusbeemeephotography2952]

Thank you! Thank you! You helped me solve my problem! My iMac Magic Mouse died and I bought a new Logitech Bluetooth mouse but was struggling to get it connected using the keyboard only. Thank you!

[@XLucidX8]

Thank u so much I haven't been able to use my computer in 3 months if I could I would give u a thousand dollars, much love and respect thank u

[@juraj_b]

As much as I love my Mac, to control it without mouse is a real pain but it’s super easy on Windows. Just use tab and you’ll get anywhere

[@ibbjamin]

You deserve an award for being a life saver

[@djtmaga639]

You can also use another Mac devise and use its keyboard. For instance, I can use keyboard and trackpad of my MacBook Pro to use my iMac.

[@mariec7092]

Thank you so much !! There was only so much I could do with keyboard navigation and that keypad mouse trick was excellent.. I took screenshots for future reference. Thank you !!

[@darbs3380]

I must thank for your information regarding the mouse operating keyboard.Yesterday my keyboard suddenly stopped typing several letters I used Apples help to solve the problem to no avail the first answer was the keyboard broken so I bought a new one at considerable expense this did not solve the problem even with Apples again. I found your video using the keyboard viewer as you describe all the letters are available so I can put in passwords etc.Thank you very much,do have any idea what my problem is please?

[@darbs3380]

I did not switch keyboards in system preferences.

[@abipearlarview]

Wow thank you so much 😩 four stores later, five hours of work wasted and this video was all I needed omg will definitely check KZbin first before wasting $

[@psoon04286]

This must be useful for troubleshooting mouse or keyboard problems. I always have a basic old USB mouse and keyboard tuck away for just such situations

[@nowplayingahsan]

Dude video was so helpful for me. You're a life saver.

[@lenielperez1119]

What happen if the keyboard dont work during the login?

[@lenielperez1119]

@Gianne Mariz Marbella external only works after login

[@k-micheleruiz6612]

Just "Columbused" this video in 2022! So helpful for a mac mini when the mouse won't connect!

[@yunwang6917]

Using the "command + shift + /" saved my life!

[@juanochoa2882]

Omg omg thank you so much, so incredibly helpful on this video I finally got my trackpad to be used. Good thing I didn't buy a mouse to get to this setting woahhhhh thank you so muchhhhhh!!!!!

[@DOYOUHATEORLOVE100]

Your video absolutely saved my life

[@debbieullman2010]

Thank you! You saved my butt. I'm on huge deadline and all 4 keyboards stopped working.

[@sonorabbyy]

You Are The GOAT!!!!!!!!!!! I’m walking around the house calling my self “The Big Mac” because I feel like I just shape shifted into an apple genius. Thanks to you. SUBSCRIBING!!!!!!

[@OleOlson]

These videos are so good. You explain things clearly, but don't waste time. Perfect. By the way, I wish there was a dedicated button the keyboard to just click where the mouse pointer is.

[@macmost]

You can do that. Go to System Preferences, Accessibility, Pointer Control. Turn on Enable alternate pointer actions. Click Options. Assign keys to the Left Click, Right Click, etc. F11 is the default and you may need to use the fn key with that depending on your keyboard settings.

[@OleOlson]

@@macmost That is so cool. I'm going to use this, though might reassign the left/right click keys to something else for one click action. You seriously rock man!

[@satamsonic4026]

@@macmostso my mouse won’t scroll up down left or right on my MacOS and I’m stuck. And the same thing happens on Roblox, Discord and the application when you press f4. A little help needed?

[@macmost]

@@satamsonic4026 What type of mouse? An Apple Magic Mouse? Sounds like it simply isn't connected.

[@donnapowers6683]

That was incredibly helpful. Thank you! Best advice though came at the very end...use a wired mouse!! And I did happen to have one of those hanging around. I will always keep that little mouse with the USB tail around.

[@daddyboodles]

brilliant video. Has inspired me to watch more of yours

[@Jude2408]

This is amazing - my iMac drives me nuts. Plus the plugin mouse will not work.

[@gwt15]

Sir thankyou very much i appreciate your help and support keep making more videos...

[@deadmeme7359]

I somehow lost my mouse so this video is very helpful thank you!

[@prospereshun7109]

Thank you soo much it really helped me i have to manage this for now

[@MethodistGuy]

You saved my life, thank you!

[@jaydenmichaels2742]

Thank you so much for this, you saved me a lot of frustration :)

[@barbarakyne4097]

My magic mouse works with my other computers, just not this 2016 iMac that is in Monterey. I stopped using it a while ago when this happened because I couldn't find a way to make it work. I saw your video then, and put it aside until I had the time. I don't have the Pointer Control in the left side of System Preferences, and nothing has worked. Any thoughts? Thank you!

[@macmost]

I would carefully remove it from the other computers. Then go through the steps of pairing it with your iMac. See support.apple.com/en-us/HT201178 If that doesn't work you can try Apple Support.

[@panzonecadutodifaccia]

which program do you use to record your screen that's also showing the keys you're pressing down?

[@josehoward]

Hey Gary my accessibility keyboard is not showing me the option to select the keyboard with the numeric keypad or the ANSI option for some reason.

[@macmost]

Not sure what you are seeing there. Just keep looking and playing around with it. Note that you should be using Catalina to see what I show.

[@LeVideophile]

I did set those prefs on even if my mouse and keyboard are working...Note that when you are controling the mouse with the keys....you can't type the letters involve in the mouse control... that is what I call a "normal" problem...🤣 Thanks Gary 👍

[@badirilenwako3073]

Very good tutorial and easy to follow. Thank you!

[@bartrodriguez1181]

How do you get the curser to move the mouse don’t work how is that cursor moving around it doesn’t show what we’re trying to accomplish

[@macmost]

Sorry, I don't understand your question.

[@raypeppers9890]

DUDE! Totally SAVED my day. thanks a million!!

[@4KConelove]

so many great suggestions. Unfortunately none of them have worked. May be something wrong with my Mac /:[[

[@macmost]

Call Apple Support and work with them.

[@mairahidalgo7935]

Amazing!! Thank you so much, it saved my life!!

[@jayson-rohde]

Thanks mate, this video just saved my day. 👍🏽

[@virscott]

I have just got my new iMac and have trouble with the mouse. I did what you suggested with the option key but now it seems it won't turn off? I have managed to get the mouse into the search bar to find where I need to go in accessibility but the keys that I had used for mouse tracking are not recon\gnised? I try to type short cuts shrt is the best I can do the o is missing?

[@jessicastanley8913]

Thank you, sir. This was so very easy to follow and I am looking forward to following you!

Gary, quick question... this video is helpful, yet I am missing an explanation; when I use Accessibility for using a keyboard as a mouse, keyboard is not working ( right side with letters I O P JKL...) unless I switch it off. Is there a possibility that this works at the same time? thanks for your videos, I believe that your channel is The most valuable channel on KZbin.

[@macmost]

Yes, that's right. When in Mouse Keys mode, the keyboard is used to control the cursor and typing isn't possible. That's why I say near the end of the video to switch on the shortcut to use the Option key 5 times to switch between the modes easily.

@@macmost thanks, clear ;)

[@HealthyHappyVIP-ke2un]

An issue I just found is after turning on Mouse Keys as you suggested, so I don’t have this problem again, a group of keys are not working on my BT keyboard! I googled it and it’s a known issue apparently. Do you have a fix for this so I can keep Mouse Keys on and still type what I want? Cheers

[@macmost]

Turning Mouse Keys on will change part of your keyboard to controls for the pointer. If you need to type, you would have Mouse Keys OFF.

[@WhatsMyContentAbout]

PLS HELP I ACCIDENTALLY TURNED OFF BLUETOOTH ON MY IMAC NOW NOTHINGS WORKING

[@peteronoel]

I like your videos and I like how you explain things. I would like to know if you found the solution to the Mac's Bluetooth. I have an Imac and have had connection problems for a week. The mouse and keyboard are disconnected every 5 seconds. I have tried everything that has been published on the Internet but I still have not been able to solve it. Maybe you know how to do it. Regards, and thank you very much.

[@macmost]

Sounds like some sort of interference to me. Think about what other devices you have in your house -- anything plugged in like wireless phones, cable/satellite boxes, appliances, smart light bulbs, W-Fi thermostats, etc.

[@peteronoel]

@@macmost Thank you very much for answering me, Macmostvideo. I have looked at all of that too but there is nothing that changed in the last few months. Yes, 2 months ago we bought a 21 "imac for my wife. I have a 27" imac both of them are at the same table where we work. That is, one is next to the other. Could that be the problem? So far we have been working perfectly without problems. Thanks again for being so nice.

[@macmost]

@@peteronoel Try it and see. That's what you need to do. Be a detective. Turn off the other Mac and all the devices and see if the problem still happens. Look at whatever else is plugged in in that room. Then other rooms, the whole house. Process of elimination.

[@peteronoel]

@@macmost Ok, I'll try it. Thank you very much, Macmostvideo.

[@Dxpsowavy]

Saved my life 👍👍👍 great help

[@miguelcorzo1032]

Any videos on fixing apple Bluetooth keyboard that some keys stopped working

[@macmost]

If it is under warranty, take it to the Apple Store. If it is older, you may just have to buy a new one.

[@sharonng6471]

This guy saved my life omfg THANK YOU SO MUCH SIDHIDBSIS

[@BetterDayzMusic]

Thanks, but also without a mouse, how do you click on something after navigating to it please?

[@macmost]

Using Mouse Keys? One of the keys is for clicking. See 5:52

[@BetterDayzMusic]

@@macmost I found it already by rubbing my hands all across all the keys. It’s the letter i. Thanks.

[@carljenkins5092]

Thank you. Good video. You helped me get my Mac running. I had to watch it like 5 times. LOL. LOL.

[@vivianpham6540]

Super helpful!! The only tutorial that actually helped me

[@tamhamsam4268]

Your tips worked! Thank you soooooo much.

[@blueskies5992]

Thank you so much for this video. It really helped me.👍👍👍👍

[@donncolee7390]

Great post, well delivered, easily followed, and it worked! Good job. Yes, I subscribed.

[@mistahmst]

Do you have a solution for the Accessibility option popping every time I try to use the down arrow? Since I pressed every single key you instructed me to (before you said those methods may not work), it just caused all types of issues with my keyboard. Is there any way to reverse it? I can’t even type in the letters I,J,K,M,U,O and I’m sure I’ll find other annoying problems with my keyboard.

[@Jibrin-Paul]

In the second option if your mouse isn’t working, how do you select enable mouse keys if your space bar isn’t working?

[@macmost]

If both your mouse and keyboard aren't working, then you really need to try another, perhaps wired, keyboard. Or take it to a shop and have them help.

[@iamrob7270]

What an amazing, informative video!! Thank you! You saved my night trying to figure this out!

[@stevenbyron9816]

Thank you. Your videos are very helpful and appreciated.

[@barbskeelcsw]

I need to have my MacbookAir screen at face height but must have the keyboard/trackpad much lower to avoid back and shoulder problems. What's the best accessory to get to achieve this? I bought a wireless keyboard #ISJ-DJC03 but realized that I dont have the ability to move a cursor around the screen. What's the right thing to type on that also moves the cursor on the screen? Thanks!

[@JaimeHuffman]

Off topic but hoping you can help. Hi there. Do you know an easy way to export the titles and perhaps authors from Audible and Apple Books? I have four different accounts with over 600 bucks and was looking for a central place to catalog them. I was thinking excel or notion. I have not found a quicker way to do this other than one at a time with manual entry. Hoping you can help. Thank you for all of the great content! Have a great day.

[@deanjohnston104]

Ace! Just saved me. Thanks a bunch.

[@mrsjalisa826]

I had to comment! Thank you so much! My down button on my keyboard is complete off and now i can not press anything in it for it to work!

[@232323C]

my problem is curser shows and will right click but wont left click with a mouse or using the trackpad,... tried the command shift ? and the help menue came up but was not able to get to system preferences..just help and could not actually click on items in help menu...something weird going on...able to right click and move curser with mouse or trackpad but that's it......and the fixes you kindly showed do not work either.

[@TheHeartbeatBrand]

This is gold! Thank you!