MacBook Pro’s Trackpad stops working when connecting an external keyboard

keyboardmacbook protrackpad

I'm trying to set up a new Ergodox EZ keyboard. Whenever I plug in the keyboard's via USB port, the MacBook's built-in Trackpad ceases to function. It responds to absolutely no input at all. This makes it impossible to configure the keyboard properly (I have to go through a wizard so the computer can figure out the keyboard uses an ANSI layout).

If I disconnect the keyboard temporarily, I can press next, plug the keyboard back in, and then continue with the wizard, but at the final screen I need my mouse again. So I have to disconnect → click → reconnect, at which point the wizard reappears from the beginning claiming that the keyboard could not be identified.

This is preventing me from successfully configuring the keyboard. How do I fix this?

Best Answer

It's possible that plugging in the keyboard is causing macOS to detect a cursor control device (mouse).

Go to System Preferences app → Accessibility → Mouse & Trackpad and check if Ignore built-in trackpad when mouse or wireless trackpad is present is checked?

If it is, simply uncheck and try again. You should now be able to use the built-in Trackpad normally while your keyboard is plugged in.

Related Solutions

Trackpad stops working on 2009 Macbook Pro

A great way to rule out hardware versus software issue is to create a new user and see if the problem still occurs when logged into the new user.

System Preferences>Accounts> + (may have to unlock first). For ease of use, I'd make the new "test" account an administrator. When you are done, log out and back into your regularly used account. System Preferences>Accounts> - (delete home folder and all contents).

If the issue persists, it should be related to hardware and not software.

Hope that helps!

MacBook – 2015 13″ MacBook Pro Trackpad and Keyboard stop working

Since I ran into the same problem and this comes up on Google, I will provide an answer, even if there is no question.

When my keyboard and touchpad stopped working, the power button was still ok.
Resetting NVRAM did not help.
Using an external keyboard and mouse was fine.

Typing sudo dmesg | tail on the command line was showing similar messages:

AppleHSSPIController::_enqueueSPICommandGated SPICommand timed out. Interface 208, transactionType 64, frameNumber 0
Error: AppleHSSPIDevice::_DoDescriptorRequestGated Failed issue request error: 0xe00002ed
Error: AppleHSSPIDevice::getDeviceDescriptor Failed to get descriptor with error 0xe00002ed
Error: AppleHSSPIDevice::start failed to get device descriptor
Error: AppleHSSPIController::_enumerateDevice Start failed
Error: AppleHSSPIController::_handleEnumerationFailureGated Failed to enumerate the device. Resetting the device and trying to enumerate again. Attempt:1
IO80211AWDLPeerManager::setAwdlOperatingMode Setting the AWDL operation mode from AUTO to SUSPENDED
IO80211AWDLPeerManager::setAwdlSuspendedMode() Suspending AWDL, enterQuietMode(true)
AppleIntelLpssGspi1::calcSpiClockParams: fSysClockPeriodPsec 10000, spiClockPeriodNsec 125
Error: AppleHSSPIController::doSPITransfer ERR received from device

I brought it to the local Apple support partner. They first tried it by updating the touchpad controller software. Since that did not work either, they changed the HSSPI cable.

Best Answer

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Trackpad stops working on 2009 Macbook Pro

MacBook – 2015 13″ MacBook Pro Trackpad and Keyboard stop working

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