Input cannot communicate with device or is stuck on “Retrieving keyboard data”

Last updated About 2 hours ago

If Input shows “No device found,” “No device connected,” or remains stuck on “Retrieving keyboard data,” the app is unable to complete communication with your device.

This can happen after waking your computer, switching between Bluetooth and USB, updating firmware, or when another application is using the device’s HID connection.

Try the steps below in order.

Fully quit and reopen Input

If the problem started after your computer woke from sleep:

  1. Quit Input completely.

    • On macOS, use Input → Quit Input.

    • On Windows, exit Input from the system tray if it is still running there.

  2. Wait a few seconds.

  3. Open Input again.

  4. Keep the device connected while Input starts.

Simply closing the Input window may not be enough if the app is still running in the background.

In some cases, other applications on your Mac can interfere with communication between Input and your Work Louder device.

The two most common applications known to cause this issue are Logi Options+ and Karabiner-Elements. Follow the steps below to resolve the conflict.

macOS: check Input Monitoring

Open:

System Settings → Privacy & Security → Input Monitoring

Temporarily disable Input Monitoring for applications that may be accessing the device, especially Karabiner-Elements or Logitech software.

If you use Karabiner-Elements, also disable Modify events for the affected device. Then quit and reopen Input.

Logi Option+ interference

Logi Options+ may prevent Input from communicating properly with your device.

To resolve this, you can either:

  1. Completely quit Logi Options+, including any background processes, or

  2. Disable Input Monitoring permission for Logi Options+ in your macOS settings.

After making the change, reopen Input and check whether your device can connect.

Karabiner-Elements interference

Karabiner-Elements can also intercept events from Work Louder devices and interfere with Input.

To resolve this:

  1. Open Karabiner-Elements.

  2. Go to Devices.

  3. Locate your Work Louder devices.

  4. Disable Modify events for each Work Louder device.

Still having trouble?

If you do not have Logi Options+ or Karabiner-Elements installed, another application with Input Monitoring permission may be causing the conflict.

To identify the application:

  1. Open your macOS Input Monitoring permissions.

  2. Temporarily disable Input Monitoring access for all applications except Input.

  3. Check whether your Work Louder device can now communicate with Input.

  4. If it works, re-enable the other applications one at a time.

  5. After enabling each application, check your device again.

If communication stops after re-enabling a specific application, that application is likely causing the conflict.

If you discover another application that interferes with Input, please let us know so we can add it to this guide and help other users.

Need additional help?

If you have followed the steps above and Input still cannot communicate with your device, please contact the Work Louder support team: How to contact Work Louder Support