USB Mouse and Keyboard Randomly Disconnect on MacBook Pro M4 (Not Other USB Devices)

Hey everyone,


I’m having a persistent issue with my MacBook Pro 14” (M4 Pro, macOS Sequoia 15.2) where wired USB mice and keyboards randomly disconnect while using the laptop. However, other USB devices (external SSDs, flash drives) stay connected without any issues.


Issue Details:

• Worked fine for about a month after purchasing the Mac.

• Suddenly, USB mouse and keyboard started disconnecting at random intervals.

• All other USB devices (SSD, flash drives) work without disconnections.

• Happens independent of app usage, power settings, or external monitors.

• Happens even in macOS Recovery Mode, ruling out user settings or installed software.


What I’ve Tried So Far:


✅ Reconnected devices – tried different cables, adapters, and configurations.

✅ Tested on another Mac – mouse and keyboard work fine on a different computer.

✅ Disconnected USB monitor – issue persists.

✅ Created a new user profile – problem still occurs.

✅ Booted into macOS Recovery Mode – mouse and keyboard still disconnect.

✅ Connected external SSDs and flash drives – these remain connected, but only HID devices disconnect.

✅ Reinstalled macOS (without disk formatting) – did not fix the issue.

✅ Performed a clean macOS installation (formatted the disk) – issue remains.

✅ Restored system from Time Machine – problem persists.


What I Suspect:


Since other USB devices do not disconnect and the issue affects only HID devices, I suspect a USB controller issue or a firmware-level problem with macOS Sequoia.


Has anyone experienced a similar issue? Any suggestions on how to fix this?


Thanks in advance! 🚀

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 15.2

Posted on Jan 26, 2025 05:32 AM

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6 replies

Jan 27, 2025 11:16 PM in response to Mahasiddh

I finally solved the issue! Someone on the forum suggested trying a USB hub, so I bought one from Ugreen, and now everything works perfectly. My mouse and keyboard no longer disconnect. It seems that Thunderbolt 5 has some compatibility issues with basic HID devices, but using a hub completely fixes the problem. Thanks to everyone who helped! 🚀

Jan 26, 2025 12:26 PM in response to Mahasiddh

I just called Apple Support and spoke with a representative. We ran a diagnostic on my computer, and it turned out that everything is fine, including the hardware. He told me that all USB-C ports on my MacBook use Thunderbolt 5 technology, and most likely, my devices — including my mouse and keyboard — are simply not compatible with my new MacBook. He said their cables are essentially outdated, and I need to find a new mouse that supports Thunderbolt 5.


This is quite surprising to me — how come a brand-new, high-end Thunderbolt 5 port can’t properly support a regular mouse and a fairly standard keyboard?


I just tried searching on Google for a mouse compatible with Thunderbolt 5 and didn’t find a single result. None of the descriptions, even for expensive mice, mention compatibility with Thunderbolt 5.


Searching result from ChatGPT:

"Unfortunately, as of now, there are no mice with Thunderbolt 5 support available on the market. The Thunderbolt 5 standard is designed for devices that require high bandwidth, such as external graphics cards, high-resolution monitors, and high-speed storage drives. Regular peripherals like mice and keyboards typically use USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 interfaces since their data transfer speed requirements are minimal."


😞

Jan 26, 2025 12:40 PM in response to Mahasiddh

It’s frustrating that an Apple Support representative told me to look for a mouse and keyboard with Thunderbolt 5 support, which simply do not exist and likely never will. Mice and keyboards are too basic to require Thunderbolt 5 technology, as they don’t need high-speed data transfer. The Thunderbolt 5 and USB4 standards are backward compatible with older USB devices, meaning that a standard wired mouse should work without issues. If these devices are disconnecting, it’s not because they lack Thunderbolt 5 support—it’s likely a firmware or compatibility issue on Apple’s side.

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USB Mouse and Keyboard Randomly Disconnect on MacBook Pro M4 (Not Other USB Devices)

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