Mac losing focus on active window

If the previous suggestions don't fix the problem download and run Etrecheck.  Copy and paste the results into your reply. Etrecheck is a diagnostic tool that was developed by one of the most respected users here in the ASC and recommended by Apple Support  to provide a snapshot of the system and help identify the more obvious culprits that can adversely affect a Mac's performance.

IMPORTANT:

Before running Etrecheck assign Full Disk Access to Etrecheck in the first window that comes up so that it can get additional information from the Console and log files for the report:

Also click the About… vurron and read the info to further permit full disk access.

Copy the report

and use the Additional Text button to include the report in your reply.

Then we can examine the report and see if there is what 3rd party software is installed that might be contributing to the problem.

jpdemers wrote:

I have an M1 Mac Mini, running the latest MacOS (Monterey), and for the past few days I've had this weird problem where the Mac spontaneously loses its focus on the active window. That is, I'll be typing away in, say, a Word document, when suddenly the text entry cursor vanishes, and I get beeps (but no more text) when I strike the keys. I have to grab the mouse and click inside the window to re-activate it and continue typing. This happens in ALL applications. Does not happen in Safe Mode, so it's apparently due to some bit of installed software, but it'll take forever and a day to weed out the culprit.

Anybody have any clues as to what sort of programs I should be focusing my attention on? What operation(s) would cause the Mac to abandon focus on the active window?

Verify Full Keyboard Access did not get turned on...this can cause issues

Use your keyboard like a mouse with Mac - Apple Support

Verify no "Alternate Control Methods" keys got turned on

Change Alternate Control Methods preferences for accessibility on Mac – Apple Support (AU)

Well, since you don't want to uninstall apps, you could create a bootable external drive and start adding apps one at a time until you hit the one that's causing the problem.

An external SSD would be better from an operational standpoint, but if you can stand the long loading times just to experiment, you could try an external HDD: https://eclecticlight.co/2021/11/11/creating-a-bootable-external-disk-with-an-m1-pro-in-monterey/

Be aware, there are problems doing the as the author describes.