computer won't recognize mouse

Joined
Sep 2, 2012
Messages
249
Reaction score
1
Points
18
Location
Solomons, Maryland
Your Mac's Specs
21.5 inch iMac, 2017
I bought a new iMac and want to transfer all my files from my 2 year old iMac. Both computers are connected to an ASUS router. I can't get the old computer to recognize its mouse. Both work on my new computer but the old computer won't recognize either one. Is there a keyboard command that will solve my problem??
 

chscag

Well-known member
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Jan 23, 2008
Messages
65,248
Reaction score
1,833
Points
113
Location
Keller, Texas
Your Mac's Specs
2017 27" iMac, 10.5" iPad Pro, iPhone 8, iPhone 11, iPhone 12 Mini, Numerous iPods, Monterey
Not enough information: Assuming the mouse is wireless...... If it's wireless, the problem may be with blue tooth on the older iMac. Try resetting the SMC on the older iMac.
 
Joined
Oct 16, 2010
Messages
17,496
Reaction score
1,541
Points
113
Location
Brentwood Bay, BC, Canada
Your Mac's Specs
2011 27" iMac, 1TB(partitioned) SSD, 20GB, OS X 10.11.6 El Capitan
Was the mouse ever used with the old iMac??

Is it wireless or wired??

If wired, try unplugging and reattaching. If wireless try turning it Off and then On again and'or disconnect/reconnect any USB receiver if used.

As mentioned, not much info was provided to provide a proper answer.




- Patrick
======
 
OP
E
Joined
Sep 2, 2012
Messages
249
Reaction score
1
Points
18
Location
Solomons, Maryland
Your Mac's Specs
21.5 inch iMac, 2017
Both are wireless. Sorry about the lack of info. What more do you want?
?
 
Joined
Jul 24, 2013
Messages
5,073
Reaction score
758
Points
113
Location
Ohio (USA)
Your Mac's Specs
2023-14" M3max MBPro, 64GB/1TB, iPhone 15 Pro, Watch Ultra
Does that mean wireless this is a bluetooth mouse? If so check to make sure in Sys Pref -> Bluetooth that the mouse is paired. Also it is possible for your bluetooth in the imac to die - although I would think not in a two year old machine.

Lisa
 
Joined
Oct 16, 2010
Messages
17,496
Reaction score
1,541
Points
113
Location
Brentwood Bay, BC, Canada
Your Mac's Specs
2011 27" iMac, 1TB(partitioned) SSD, 20GB, OS X 10.11.6 El Capitan
Both are wireless. Sorry about the lack of info. What more do you want? ?


As I asked previously:
Was the mouse ever used with the old iMac??

Have you tried turning it off on or reconnect the receiver etc. if it's USB? Is it??

Or is it a bluetooth mouse?




- Patrick
======
 
OP
E
Joined
Sep 2, 2012
Messages
249
Reaction score
1
Points
18
Location
Solomons, Maryland
Your Mac's Specs
21.5 inch iMac, 2017
I apologize for my stupidity. Both are the mouse that came with the computers. Both work on my new computer. Neither works with th old one. I can see the mouse arrow in the upper left hand corner of the screen, but I can't et the arrow to move with either mouse.
 
Joined
May 21, 2012
Messages
10,703
Reaction score
1,158
Points
113
Location
Rhode Island
Your Mac's Specs
M1 Mac Studio, 11" iPad Pro 3rdGen, iPhone 13 ProMax, Watch S7, 2018 15" MBP, AirPods Pro
But, did either mouse previously work with the Mac that they are not working with now?
 

chscag

Well-known member
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Jan 23, 2008
Messages
65,248
Reaction score
1,833
Points
113
Location
Keller, Texas
Your Mac's Specs
2017 27" iMac, 10.5" iPad Pro, iPhone 8, iPhone 11, iPhone 12 Mini, Numerous iPods, Monterey
I apologize for my stupidity. Both are the mouse that came with the computers. Both work on my new computer. Neither works with th old one. I can see the mouse arrow in the upper left hand corner of the screen, but I can't et the arrow to move with either mouse.

As I said above, reset the SMC on your iMac: Shut it down, remove the AC plug from the outlet, let it set for about 10 minutes, plug it back in, and reboot. Then do as Lisa said and pair it again. If all that does not work, then there may be a problem with Blue Tooth on the old iMac.
 
OP
E
Joined
Sep 2, 2012
Messages
249
Reaction score
1
Points
18
Location
Solomons, Maryland
Your Mac's Specs
21.5 inch iMac, 2017
Lisa,
When I started the older iMac this morning I got a note saying..... 'can't find the mouse. Make sure it is "discoverable", whatever that means
 
OP
E
Joined
Sep 2, 2012
Messages
249
Reaction score
1
Points
18
Location
Solomons, Maryland
Your Mac's Specs
21.5 inch iMac, 2017
Bob,
The older iMac with its mouse was working fine. I set it aside when I bought the new one. When I turned it on to transfer all the files to the new one the mouse problem started.
 
OP
E
Joined
Sep 2, 2012
Messages
249
Reaction score
1
Points
18
Location
Solomons, Maryland
Your Mac's Specs
21.5 inch iMac, 2017
chscaq: Excuse my stupidity: What is the SMC?
 
Joined
May 21, 2012
Messages
10,703
Reaction score
1,158
Points
113
Location
Rhode Island
Your Mac's Specs
M1 Mac Studio, 11" iPad Pro 3rdGen, iPhone 13 ProMax, Watch S7, 2018 15" MBP, AirPods Pro
Bob,
The older iMac with its mouse was working fine. I set it aside when I bought the new one. When I turned it on to transfer all the files to the new one the mouse problem started.
Did you turn the old mouse off? On the bottom of the old mouse, turn it on, or turn it off then on. Are they rechargeable or do they take batteries?
 
Joined
Jul 24, 2013
Messages
5,073
Reaction score
758
Points
113
Location
Ohio (USA)
Your Mac's Specs
2023-14" M3max MBPro, 64GB/1TB, iPhone 15 Pro, Watch Ultra
Making the mouse discoverable usually means turning it off and back on.

I have had issues with my Mac Pro occasionally. Usually toggling the mouse (trackpad in my case) off and on would solve it. But i do have a wired mouse and have had to use it to reach the bluetooth setting to repair the mouse. If the bluetooth card has died in the iMac it can still try to search for a mouse making you think it is working.

If toggling the mouse on and off or restarting the iMac does not work, next idea would be to access the system preferences -> bluetooth. You will probably need a wired mouse to do this.

Lisa
 

IWT


Joined
Jan 23, 2009
Messages
10,218
Reaction score
2,175
Points
113
Location
Born Scotland. Worked all over UK. Live in Wales
Your Mac's Specs
M2 Max Studio Extra, 32GB memory, 4TB, Sonoma 14.4 Apple 5K Retina Studio Monitor
OP
E
Joined
Sep 2, 2012
Messages
249
Reaction score
1
Points
18
Location
Solomons, Maryland
Your Mac's Specs
21.5 inch iMac, 2017
They. are rechargeable
 
OP
E
Joined
Sep 2, 2012
Messages
249
Reaction score
1
Points
18
Location
Solomons, Maryland
Your Mac's Specs
21.5 inch iMac, 2017
I reset the SMC this way: shut down the iMac, unplug the power cord, hold the start button down for 5 seconds, release the power button, plug the iMac back in, and reboot as usual. Sad to say, it didn't solve the problem.
 
OP
E
Joined
Sep 2, 2012
Messages
249
Reaction score
1
Points
18
Location
Solomons, Maryland
Your Mac's Specs
21.5 inch iMac, 2017
I would like to thank everyone for their help in trying to solve my problem. I will have to resort to the only solution, buy a wired mouse.

- - - Updated - - -

Thanks again to everyone.
 
Joined
Oct 16, 2010
Messages
17,496
Reaction score
1,541
Points
113
Location
Brentwood Bay, BC, Canada
Your Mac's Specs
2011 27" iMac, 1TB(partitioned) SSD, 20GB, OS X 10.11.6 El Capitan
I would like to thank everyone for their help in trying to solve my problem. I will have to resort to the only solution, buy a wired mouse.

- - - Updated - - -

Thanks again to everyone.


Nothing wrong with having or using a good wired mouse and is a good idea, especially for troubleshooting, but if you like using a wireless, maybe consider using a wireless USB mouse from Logitech:
https://www.logitech.com/en-us/mice


I didn't think I needed one until I got my Logitech USB wireless (USB Unifying receiver) M705 mouse many years ago. The best, smoothest mouse I've ever used.






- Patrick
======
 

Shop Amazon


Shop for your Apple, Mac, iPhone and other computer products on Amazon.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
Top