Mac Mouse Not Working after Tahoe Update: 11 Easy Fixes
The mouse is an essential tool when working on your Mac, MacBook, or iMac. While the trackpad is useful, a mouse often provides more convenience.
Many users experience the "mouse not working on Mac" issue, especially after a macOS Tahoe update. It's important to understand the common causes and solutions to fix this problem. Keep reading!
Why Is My Mac Mouse Not Working After the Tahoe Update?
The reasons your Mac mouse may not work are varied and sometimes hard to pinpoint. Here are the most common causes:
- Compatibility issues
- Low battery
- Wireless interference
- Long-term usage wear
- Connectivity problems
- Tracking or scrolling issues
- Software conflicts
How to Fix Mouse Not Working on Mac (Tahoe)
Now that you know the possible causes, here are solutions to fix these issues:
1. Disconnect and Reconnect Your Mouse
Connection issues are often responsible for the mouse not working on your Mac. The easiest troubleshooting step is to disconnect and reconnect your mouse.
- For a wired mouse, unplug it and reconnect it to your Mac.
- For a wireless mouse, turn Bluetooth off and on again.
If the problem persists, proceed to the next step.
2. Turn Your Mouse Off and On
One easy and quick attempt to fix the mouse not working on your Mac is to turn your mouse off and on.
Some occasional errors can be fixed by performing this action. If this attempt fails to make your mouse work normally again, then skip to other solutions.
3. Remove and Reinsert the Mouse Battery
The mouse battery may not always work properly over time. While you cannot control your mouse to move the cursor, have a try at taking out and re-putting the mouse battery. This proves to be effective in most cases.
4. Charge or Replace the Mouse Battery
A low battery is another common cause. Charge your mouse (USB) or replace the battery (wireless/Bluetooth).
For an Apple Magic Mouse, connect the Lightning cable to charge and pair it with your Mac.
5. Re-Pair the Bluetooth Mouse
Sometimes, if you have paired your mouse with multiple devices before, your Bluetooth mouse may automatically connect to other devices.
Unpair it from other devices and pair it with your Mac again.
6. Turn Bluetooth Off and On
Connecting multiple Bluetooth devices may cause some occasional errors, which may give rise to the Mac mouse not working issue. Turn Bluetooth off and on to see if the mouse works.
7. Enable Mouse Keys
If your mouse click isn’t working and you don’t have a trackpad, Mouse Keys allow you to control the pointer via the keyboard:
- Press Command + Option + F5.
- Use Tab to navigate to Mouse Keys.
- Press Space to select it.
- Press Esc to save and exit.
8. Check for Wireless Interference
Peripheral devices placed closely can cause interference. Disconnect other devices or move them away from the mouse to see if it resolves the issue. Also, try reconnecting the USB receiver.
9. Restart Your Mac
A restart can resolve many Mac issues. Click the Apple menu and select Restart, then check if the mouse works.
10. Reset SMC
Resetting the SMC can fix some Bluetooth issues related to power or hardware. Follow this guide to reset SMC.
11. Update Your Mac
macOS bugs can affect mouse functionality. If your mouse is unresponsive after a Tahoe update, updating macOS may resolve the issue.
Check for updates: Apple Menu > System Settings > General > Software Update.
Other potential solutions include deleting mouse preference files, uninstalling incompatible apps, or debugging the Bluetooth module.
Final Words
This article provides universal solutions for Mac mouse issues, whether using a third-party mouse or an Apple Magic Mouse.
Try these methods to restore your mouse functionality and get back to a smooth workflow on your Mac.
Clare Phang has been captivated by the world of Apple products since the launch of the iconic iPhone in 2007. With a wealth of experience, Clare is your go-to source for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and all things Apple.
