mcchou: could you help triage?

I just wanted to add some more detail that I recently learned about this issue after further testing.  It seems that this issue is not bluetooth-mice specific - I have a few different mice that support both bluetooth and wireless dongles and all of the mice that support both exhibit this issue, even when in wireless mode.  Multiple logitech mice with the "Unifying" receiver as well as one off-brand wireless/bluetooth mouse all exhibit this issue - it seems that any mouse that supports both a mouse and a keyboard with the same wireless dongle - or when using in bluetooth mode cause this issue (even without a keyboard connected via wireless).  I can give specific mouse models if that helps.

Hi mcchou@ - Were you able to triage this issue? We have additional posts on the Chromebook Central Forum and wanted to see if you needed any additional insight from users. 

Mcchou,a minor detail: I've noticed that there is a minor factor of recognition, as the "Multi-view"/recents icon appears on the shelf next to the profile picture which means there is some "flip" recognition. No other flip behavior noted (including the lack of Back button next to Launcher).

On my HP Chromebook X2 running stable channel, the "Multi-view"/recents icon does not appear (nor does the Back button next to the Launcher). On my machine, there is absolutely no "flip" recognition, either in the flipped position or free tablet mode. 

Version 68.0.3440.118
Platform: 10718.88.2 (Official Build) stable-channel soraka-unibuild (soraka)

I have been experiencing the same issue.  My wireless mouse USB-dongle attached, the Chromebook will not flip out of laptop mode.

Asus C100-PA
Version 68.0.3440.118
10718.88.2 (Official Build) stable-channel veyron_minnie

I am seeing this issue too after the upgrade to Chrome OS 68 on my acer spin 11.  However, it's with my Logitech mouse.  

If I flip the screen it doesn't go into tablet mode anymore.  After reading this bug, I tried removing the Logitech receiver from the USB port and the Spin 11 pops into tablet mode.  Plug it back in and it goes into clamshell mode, pull it out and tablet mode, put it back in and you shake it all about, do the hokey pokey and turn yourself around - That's what it's all about! (Sorry, got carried away)

Glad to figure it out that the issue is with the receiver, but sad that I won't be able to use the mouse at the moment when it's in tablet mode. 

I submitted this before through the 'Report an issue.." Will submit again with this added information.

We are seeing multiple user complaints in Chromebook Central
https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/chromebook-central/Qt_2mFsbQY8
https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/chromebook-central/HEPvw0F66pU

Disconnecting external mice seems to fix the issue temporarily.

I use my Pixelbook mostly on a stand with a wired mouse. The wired mouse does the same thing as the wireless mouse receivers -- if it is plugged in, the OS assumes that the keyboard is available even though it is not. This messes up my most common usage of the computer. I hope this issue gets resolved very soon. Thanks very much.

I had the same issue going with my Acer Spin 11 ...It was driving me crazy! While I didn't have a "bluetooth" mouse, I did have an RF wireless mouse, and when I pulled the receiver out from the USB port, everything went back to normal! I'll just continue to use the track pad, until there is a fix for this! At least I have my tent and tablet mode back :)

Yes, I have the same problem since OS version 68. Please fix it. I also have the dreaded bluetooth turning itself off and can't be turned back on problem from day one.

@mcchou@chromium.org - Do you have an update on this one? We are getting a lot of traction on this particular issue in the Chromebook Central Forum and have over 500 views for just two threads. 

Please let us know if you need any additional information from users.

Just updated to Chrome OS 69 and wanted to confirm that this bug is still present, though it has changed for me somewhat. Upon connecting a Bluetooth mouse (keyboard is fine), the brightness bar in the quick setting pane in the lower right of the screen disappears, and the tablet no longer changes to a vertical orientation. The multi-window button in the lower right hand corner is present now, whereas it was not on Chrome OS 68. Any word on an upcoming fix?

Just updated also. I use my Pixelbook in tablet mode on a stand with a wired mouse. I cannot change the brightness with the mouse plugged in. I have to unplug the mouse, change the brightness with the touchscreen, and then plug the mouse back in. 

The OS thinks that the keyboard is available just because the mouse is plugged in, but it is folded back in tablet mode so of course it is not available. I cannot use the brightness buttons on the keyboard when it is folded back on a stand. I have to constantly unplug the mouse and plug it in again. I hope a fix comes very soon. Thanks.

Just to clarify, unlike the previous poster, upon disconnecting my Bluetooth mouse I do not have tablet functionality restored unless I restart the device (with Bluetooth mouse disconnected). Again, I'm on a HP Chromebook X2. 

I do not have to restart. Perhaps this is because I am using a Pixelbook, or perhaps it is because I am using a wired USB-C mouse. I just unplug and plug in the mouse and it switches back and forth almost immediately. The on-screen brightness adjustment appears and disappears right away when I unplug and plug in the mouse.

Interesting. Can any other Pixelbook owners verify if using a wired versus Bluetooth mouse makes a difference in restoring tablet functionality? What about other Chromebook owners: are you using a wired or some form of wireless mouse?

I'm using a Samsung Chromebook Pro and when a wired mouse is plugged in it will immediately drop out of tablet mode. Unplugging the mouse, tablet mode is restored.

Related:

https://bugs.chromium.org/p/chromium/issues/detail?id=882410

My main problem could be solved by making the on-screen brightness adjustment available in both modes. The on-screen volume adjustment is, why not brightness too? Then it wouldn't hurt my usage to have the mouse toggle the computer out of tablet mode. I could adjust the brightness without having to unplug the mouse first, and then plug it back in.

The problem is that if the keyboard is folded away and unavailable, there is no way to adjust brightness with a mouse plugged in, although you can adjust volume. This makes no sense.

Just update to Chrome OS 70 (Beta) and the issue is still present. Still see the same behavior as before, where only recognition is the appearance of the Multi-view button on the shelf. 

Also, for cliftond, Chrome OS 70 always shows brightness adjustment, both in clamshell and tablet mode, so that part is solved.

I hope that the virtual keyboard problem is solved as well. With the mouse plugged in, the on-screen keyboard only comes up if you have the on-screen keyboard turned on under the Accessibility setting. With this turned on though, the on-screen keyboard pops up even when the computer is in laptop mode, which is a pain. If it is shut off under Accessibility, then when the computer is in tablet mode, the on-screen keyboard will not pop up if the mouse is plugged in -- even though the keyboard is obviously folded away and therefore unavailable.

The choice is between having the on-screen keyboard turned on under Accessibility and having it pop up and get in the way even in laptop mode, which is annoying and unnecessary, or having to unplug the mouse in tablet mode every time you want to use the on-screen keyboard. Totally unacceptable. Further, the Accessibility on-screen keyboard has very small keys that are not finger friendly, unlike the regular on-screen keyboard, which has large buttons.

Hoping for a fix soon. The obvious answer is not to have a mouse control the toggle between laptop and tablet mode, but to have the folding and unfolding of the keyboard do it. That is the only way to know for sure whether the keyboard is available. The presence or non-presence of a mouse does not indicate how the keyboard is folded -- very obviously.
 

I am a musician and I need to use the tablet in portrait orientation with my bluetooth pedal connected. I have to keep reverting to OS version 67 in order to keep this functionality. This means that I cannot power down my tablet because it will do an update which forces me to do a powerwash and revert to version 67.

You can force portrait orientation by changing Settings > Device > Display from Standard to 90. Keyboard shortcut: Shift+Control+F3 (Rotate key on top row).

This is my workaround on Chromebook OS version 69.

Thanks a lot!! I'll give that a try.

I am having this issue with my R13. It will not rotate, and if I try to rotate it manually, it annoyingly rotates itself back so I can never win! I once removed my bluetooth headphones and it worked again, but now not even that or rebooting it works.