Apple Keyboard Pairing Problems

Remove metal objects and cordless devices from the area near your keyboard.

Pairing your Apple wireless keyboard with your Mac, iPad or other Apple device lets the keyboard's input register only with your desired device. If your devices won't pair or keep disconnecting, the problem may be as simple as a low battery, or you may be receiving interference from other devices.

Pairing Basics

Your keyboard and companion device must both have adequate power for the two to pair, and both must have Bluetooth enabled. Turn on the Bluetooth functions in your Settings app on the iPad, iPhone or the System Preferences application on Mac OS X, and make sure that device is plugged in or at least halfway charged. Press the on/off button at the right edge of the keyboard to turn it on and keep the Bluetooth window open on your device. When the keyboard appears in your device's Bluetooth list, tap or click it and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the pairing process. This generally requires typing in the passcode presented on your screen.

Keyboard Not Located

If your device's Bluetooth and your wireless keyboard are both turned on but the device can't locate the keyboard, turn off all other Bluetooth devices you have connected. On a computer, also unplug any USB devices. Restart your iOS device or computer and go through the pairing process again. The problem may also be that the keyboard doesn't recognize your computer. In the Bluetooth window under System Preferences on your Mac, check the Discoverable box so the keyboard can discover your computer.

Disconnection

If your keyboard will pair sometimes but not others, or if it pairs and then drops the connection, another device may be interfering with the signal. Move any cordless phones, microwaves or other devices that may emit a 2.4-GHz signal away from your device and keyboard. Also remove any metal objects that may be between your device and keyboard, as these can also interfere with the signal. Restart the device and connect again.

Multiple Computers

If your keyboard is currently paired with another device or computer, you must unpair it from that device before pairing it with another. Even if you haven't actively paired the keyboard with the other device recently, if the keyboard is within 33 feet of a previous Bluetooth connection, it will pair with the known connection. Turn off the Bluetooth on the device or select the keyboard in the Bluetooth listing on that device and follow the on-screen instructions to unpair it, and then pair it with your desired device again.

References

• Apple: Troubleshooting Wireless Mouse and Keyboard Issues
• Apple: How to Set Up Your Wireless Mouse and Keyboard With Another Mac