Non connecting keyboard with the M4 Mac mini. a hardware or software problem?

I did that no change. It was suggested I use the front ports on the Mini. So I direct connected the Apple keyboard to these ports. No change. However as I wrote earlier it was while I was connected to the front ports and going through repetitive reboot that I finally got my PIN code entered and the mini returned to normal. I tested the Apple KB on my M1 Mac Air and my M1 Ipad Pro during this process and it worked perfectly.

I have updated my system to Sequia 15.3. The system restarted without a hitch. I’m going to watch it for a while. If the issue returns I’ll come back to this thread. Thanks to all of you who commented and or suggested remedies.

Thanks for your reply.

No, it's no longer an issue.

I believe my question has been answered in that after upgrading to Sequoia 15.3 the problem went away. The problem was apparently "software" related.

Thanks to all who commented. Hopefully, this will not be an issue down the road.

Thank you for your continued interest in my problem..i.e. M4 Mac Mini would not recognize my keyboard when logging in.

Elsewhere in this thread I've mentioned a few times that the keyboard IS an Apple Magic 2 Keyboard. I bought it just a few months ago. It works with all my other Mac devices, Ipad Pro, MacBook Air etc.

It's NOT THE FAULT OF THE KEYBOARD.

Here's a photo of it.

Thanks

It’s the latest offering of the Mac keyboard. As I’ve mentioned above, the M4 Mac Mini not only locked out my Apple Wireless keyboard but other USB-connected keyboards. I was dead in the water. The crazy thing is it would accept the first stroke or digit. But that was all.

The way I finally got around the issue was to repetitively reboot the computer over and over. And then attempt enter my four-digit pin just as quickly as I could. Finally, I was able to log in, and everything returned to “normal.” With one exception. I’m now afraid to turn the Mac Mini OFF.

So, is this a hardware issue or a software issue?

Exactly, I share the point of the last sentence. After finally getting signed back in, I’m afraid to sign off.

Thanks for your reply. I have the latest Mac wireless keyboard. The M4 Mac Mini not only locked out my keyboard, but it wouldn’t even recognize a directly connected USB keyboard.