Apple Mouse Not Working: 9 Best Ways to Fix

Written by

Ojash

Reviewed by

Hashir Ibrahim

Last updated: September 16, 2024

Expert verified

Having your mouse stop working is a real headache, but I’ve found some quick fixes that usually do the trick. In this post, I’ll share the simple steps I use to get my Apple mouse working again fast. Let’s get started!

Quick Fixes For Your Apple Magic Mouse

Below, I’ll walk you through three straightforward methods that could potentially save you time and get your Magic Mouse working again in no time:

1. Turn the Mouse Off and On

The first quick fix to get your Apple mouse working is to turn it off and on. Here’s how:

1. Locate the power switch on the bottom of your Apple Magic Mouse and slide it to the off position (no green showing).

2. Wait a few seconds and then slide the switch back to the on position (green showing).
3. Check to see if your mouse is now responsive.

2. Toggle Your Mac’s Bluetooth Off and On

The next quick fix is to turn off your Mac’s Bluetooth and turn it on again:

1. Click the Control Center icon in the top-right corner of the menu bar.

2. In the Control Center, click the Bluetooth icon to turn it off.

3. Wait for a few seconds, then click the Bluetooth icon again to turn it back on.
4. Once your Bluetooth is back on, try moving your Magic Mouse to see if it’s working.

3. Unpair and Re-pair the Apple Mouse

Unpairing and re-pairing the Apple Mouse with your Mac resets the connection between the two devices. Here’s how to unpair and then re-pair your Apple mouse with Mac:

1. Go to the Apple menu and select System Settings.

2. Click Bluetooth in the left sidebar.
3. In the Bluetooth settings window, locate your Apple Magic Mouse in the list of devices, right-click it, and select Forget.

4. Once unpaired, turn the mouse off and then back on.
5. Your Mac should detect the Magic Mouse as a new device. Click Connect to reconnect the mouse.
6. Test your mouse to see if it’s working now.

Advanced Fixes for Apple Mouse Not Working Issue

If you’ve tried basic troubleshooting and haven’t found a solution, I’ve shared advanced approaches to getting your Apple mouse back to optimal performance below:

1. Recharge or Replace the Mouse Battery

If you’re using a wireless Apple Mouse, make sure the battery is charged or replace it with fresh batteries.

For Built-in Rechargeable Battery (Magic Mouse 2)

1. Locate the charging port on the bottom of the mouse and connect the Lightning cable to the charging port and a USB port on your Mac or power adapter.

2. Let the mouse charge for at least 15 minutes. It’s preferable to charge it fully if you have the time.
3. Check the battery status by going to System Settings > Mouse on your Mac. The battery percentage should be displayed in the Mouse settings pane.

For Removable Batteries (Original Magic Mouse)

1. Turn off the mouse, remove the battery cover, and replace the old batteries.
2. Clean the compartment if needed, insert new batteries, and turn the mouse back on.
3. Check battery status in System Settings > Mouse.

2. Check Mouse and Trackpad Settings

Before diving into hardware troubleshooting or searching for potential issues, first confirm your mouse and trackpad settings are appropriately configured:

1. Click the Apple logo and select System Settings from the drop-down menu.

2. In the System Settings window, click Mouse or Trackpad to open the mouse or trackpad settings.

3. In the Mouse settings, go to the Point & Click tab.

4. Adjust the Tracking speed slider to your preferred speed. This setting determines how quickly the cursor moves across the screen as you move the mouse.

5. In the same Point & Click tab, ensure Secondary Click is enabled if you want to use right-click on Mac. Choose the option that corresponds to how you want to perform a secondary click (e.g., Click or Tap with Two Fingers).

6. After making adjustments, test your mouse to see if it works as expected.

3. Check the Sensor Surface

Examining the sensor window and the desktop surface can help diagnose and fix issues with your Apple mouse’s tracking and performance. Here’s how to do it step by step:

1. Test the mouse on different surfaces to see if performance improves after cleaning.
2. Turn off your mouse, flip it over, and inspect the sensor window for dust or debris. Gently clean it with a soft cloth or brush. Use compressed air if needed.
3. Ensure your workspace is clean and free of obstructions. Avoid glossy or reflective surfaces, consider using a mouse pad.

4. Check Other Paired Devices

If you have other Bluetooth devices paired to your Mac, they might interfere with your Apple Mouse’s connection. Try disconnecting or turning off other devices to see if it resolves the issue:

1. Click the Apple logo and select System Settings from the drop-down menu.

3. Click the Bluetooth tab to open your Bluetooth settings.

4. In the Bluetooth settings, you’ll see a list of devices currently paired with your Mac. Review this list to identify any devices that might be causing interference with your mouse.
5. If you suspect another device might be interfering with your mouse, select that device in the list and click the Disconnect button.

6. After disconnecting the device, test your mouse to see if the issue is resolved.
7. After testing your mouse, reconnect the devices you previously disconnected one by one, testing the mouse after each reconnection to identify the specific device causing interference.

5. Check for Signal Interference

Here’s how to check for and resolve potential signal interference step by step:

1. Check for devices that might interfere with your mouse, like Wi-Fi routers, cordless phones, microwaves, or Bluetooth devices.
2. If possible, move your mouse or these devices to reduce interference. For example, place your Wi-Fi router farther from your computer and mouse.
3. Reduce the number of active electronic devices around you by turning off or unplugging those not in use.
4. If needed, test the mouse in another room to see if performance improves, indicating interference in your current workspace.

6. Delete Mouse Property List Files

Deleting the mouse property list (plist) file can help reset the mouse settings to default and resolve any issues you may be experiencing. Here’s how to do it:

1. Click the Finder icon in your Mac’s Dock to open a Finder window.
2. Click Go in the menu bar and select Go to Folder.

3. In the window that appears, type the following path and press Enter:

~/Library/Preferences

4. Find the following files in this folder and move them to the Bin:
   • com.apple.AppleMultitouchMouse.plist
   • com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothMultitouch.mouse.plist
   • com.apple.driver.AppleHIDMouse.plist 
5. If you want to permanently remove the files, right-click the Bin icon in your Mac’s dock and select Empty Bin.

6. Restart your Mac to apply the changes and allow the system to generate a new mouse property list file with default settings.
7. After restarting, test your Apple mouse to see if the issue has been resolved. Configure the mouse settings in System Settings as needed.

Let Your Apple Mouse Work Like Magic

Now that you know how to fix an Apple mouse not working issue, you’re ready to stary scrolling on your Mac without any obstacles. Here are some more tips for you:

• For wired mice, check if the USB ports are working properly, as they can sometimes cause connectivity issues.
• If your Mac keyboard isn’t responding, it might be helpful to address that issue to ensure it’s available as a backup.
• It’s also helpful to ensure your keyboard backlight is working, especially if you often work in low-light conditions.

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