Mouses clicks stop working occasionally on Sonoma

[MrDoh]

Have an M2 Pro-based mac mini here that I use as a desktop computer. It's on macOS 14.5.

Very occasionally the bluetooth mouse that I use on the mac will stop working properly. The mouse cursor still moves, but mouse clicks do nothing. So then I try the wired USB mouse that I always have connected, and again, the mouse cursor moves, but clicks do nothing. So I restart the mac, and voila, mouse click functionality is back.

This is kind of annoying if one is in the middle of something and has to reboot their computer. It doesn't happen often enough to cause me to chuck the system, but when it does happen it is really frustrating.

Anyone else have this problem? I've looked around on the internet a bit, and see the problem, but none of the "solutions" apply to my situation. Having both the bluetooth and wired mouse stop working is pretty inconvenient for troubleshooting *smile*.

 

[LinMac]

Have you tried to run something like Onyx or Sonoma Cache Cleaner as a preventative debugging fix all? Those can clear corrupt caches and other problems that cause problems

 

[MrDoh]

Well, a jump of faith for me *smile*. I did just run the default "maintenance" tasks using Onyx. We'll see what happens, but my system is most likely working hard at the moment, rebuilding caches, scanning, etc.

I've never liked system cleaners, rather do it myself. But this one gets good reviews, so giving it a try.

 

[LinMac]

It is far from an instant fix all, but it's a nice first step to help make sure strange behavior isn't due to something like a corrupt cache. I've had it fix more than a few things for me over time

 

[Heindijs]

I have this too, seems to be related to the 'windows losing focus' issues many people have. I always notice I can still click on certain elements. Can you still click on the dock?

 

[Fishrrman]

Bluetooth is a "weak radio" technology that seems prone to glitches.

I suggest you switch to using either a wired USB mouse, OR one of Logitech's mice that uses their own "unifying receiver" radio technology (NOT bt) that works pretty well. I've used Logitech wireless mice for many years now, they work great.

 

[Ben J.]

Happened to me a couple of times.
Next time try turning the mouse off and on again.
Fixed it for me.

 

[djibouti33]

This started happening to me over the weekend and I haven't been able to find a cause.
MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2021), macOS Sonoma 14.5.

Interestingly, my secondary clicks still registers (I can open context menus), just not the primary clicks. My keyboard works as well. The trackpad on my keyboard also loses primary click functionality.

The only thing that works for me is hard restarting by holding down the power button. An Onyx clean did not do the trick, nor did turning off/on the mouse.

 

[djibouti33]

@MrDoh Not sure how I figured this out, but this was happening because another mouse in my office was connecting to my laptop. Once I found the mouse and turned it off, I regained the primary click from my main mouse.