Intel-based Mac: USB Keyboard or mouse stops responding
Symptoms
You may find that the keyboard media keys (Volume Down, Volume Up, Mute and Eject) and the mouse on your Intel-based Mac may become unresponsive occasionally during normal use. This can also affect other types of USB mice.
(Intel-based Macs include iMac (Early 2006), Mac mini (Early 2006) and MacBook Pro. The issue will only occur with MacBook Pro if you are using an external USB keyboard/mouse.)
Products Affected
Mac mini (Early 2006), Mac mini (Late 2006), Mac mini (Mid 2007), Mac Pro, MacBook Pro, iMac (24-inch, Late 2006), iMac (Early 2006 17-inch), iMac (Early 2006 20-inch), iMac (Mid 2006 17-inch), iMac (24-inch Mid 2007), iMac (20-inch, Mid 2007), iMac (17-inch, Late 2006), iMac (17-inch, Late 2006 CD), iMac (20-inch Late 2006), Mac Pro (Early 2008)
Resolution
To avoid this situation occurring again, try each of these steps:
- Update your Mac to Mac OS X 10.4.6 or later, if you haven't already done so.
- Install the Apple Keyboard Update 1.0 using Software Update or by downloading it from the link above. If you've updated to Mac OS X 10.4.7 or later, you DO NOT need the Apple Keybard Update 1.0.
(If the keyboard or mouse becomes unresponsive, you may be able to unplug it and plug it back in to restore functionality until any needed updates have been installed.)
If you have tried both these steps and the issue still occurs, follow the instructions in article 300546, "None of the keys on my keyboard work." This article provides the basics of USB troubleshooting to isolate the issue.