Spacebar Not Working on Mac

Why is spacebar not working on Mac?

If the spacebar isn’t working on your Mac, it could be due to physical damage to the keyboard or dirt stuck under the key itself. However, this problem can also be caused by software issues, such as bugs in macOS and compatibility issues with third-party apps. We suggest that you check the keyboard is clean and dry first before moving on to more advanced fixes.

How to fix spacebar not working on Mac?

If your Mac spacebar isn’t working, first visually inspect the keyboard itself. Look for dirt, crumbs, and other contaminants, and try to carefully remove it. Blowing a can of compressed air into the keys can help with this. Also, look for signs of moisture. Spilled drinks and other liquids can stop the keyboard from working. If it’s clean and dry, restart your Mac. You can also reset the SMC and NVRAM (or PRAM) if you have an Intel Mac.

A note for our experts: 

 

MacBook spacebar problems can sometimes be caused by serious faults. If you find yourself in that situation, reach out to our Premium Services team for expert help:

1. Download and run MacKeeper.
2. Select Premium Services from the side menu.
3. Click Chat Now and explain your issue to our online agent.

1. Remove dust from keyboard

Dust and other debris can get your MacBook spacebar stuck and prevent it from working. You can use a can of compressed air to blow out whatever is stuck there.

You might also be able to shake debris loose, but be careful doing this with a MacBook. With external keyboards, you can usually get away with a lot more vigorous shaking.

It’s also possible to remove the spacebar and clean underneath with isopropyl alcohol. However, we wouldn’t advise doing this if your MacBook spacebar is sticking, because laptop keys are often difficult to get back on.

2. Ensure keyboard connection

Do you have an iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, or Mac Pro? With all these models, you need an external keyboard, so we advise making sure it’s connected properly to your Mac.

If you have a USB keyboard:

• Check it’s fully plugged into your Mac.
• Try using a different USB port.
• Check the USB cable isn’t damaged.

If you have a Bluetooth keyboard:

• Try turning Bluetooth off and on again on your Mac.
• Turn the keyboard off and on again.
• Check your keyboard is charged or has fresh batteries.
• Make sure your keyboard is in Bluetooth range of your Mac.

3. Check software problems

Your spacebar might not be working due to macOS accessibility options in System Settings or System Preferences on your MacBook or Mac.

We recommend checking that the Full Keyboard Access option is turned off, like this:

1. Open System Settings, and select Accessibility > Keyboard.
2. If Full Keyboard Access is enabled, use the switch to turn it off.
3. Now try your spacebar again.

Want to know how to check how much storage you have on Mac? You can do that from System Settings too.

4. Restart your Mac

Temporary problems can also cause your spacebar to stop working on your Mac. To clear them, you simply need to restart your computer, like this:

1. Click the Apple icon in the top left of your screen.
2. Select Restart.
3. Click the Restart button.
4. When you’re back in macOS, check your spacebar.

5. Check for malware

Sadly, your Mac spacebar issue might be caused by a virus or some other form of malware. We recommend checking your computer with MacKeeper’s Antivirus:

1. In MacKeeper, select Antivirus from the sidebar.
2. Click Start Scan.
3. If MacKeeper finds malware, select it and click Delete.
4. Now see if your spacebar is working.  

6. Reset SMC

On an Intel Mac, the SMC (System Management Controller) controls various power-related functions, which may affect your keyboard. Resetting the SMC may help.

To reset the SMC on an Intel MacBook with a T2 Security Chip:

1. Turn off your MacBook.
2. Press and hold down Left Ctrl+Left Opt+Right Shift.
3. Wait seven seconds, then press and hold the power button too.
4. Let your Mac turn on.

To reset the SMC on an Intel MacBook without a T2 chip:

1. Shut down your MacBook.
2. Press and hold Left Shift+Left Ctrl+Left Opt+Power for 10 seconds.
3. Turn your MacBook back on.

To reset the SMC on an Intel desktop Mac:

1. Shut down your Mac, and unplug the power cable.
2. Wait 15 seconds, then plug the power back in.
3. Wait five seconds, then turn on your Mac.

After resetting your SMC, log back into macOS and see if your spacebar is working.

7. Update your macOS

Although rare, bugs do occasionally creep into macOS. We highly recommend checking if your Mac is up to date if your spacebar isn’t working. Here’s how:

1. Open System Settings, and go to General > Software Update.
2. If you see an update, click Update Now.
3. Follow the instructions on screen to install the update.
4. Restart your Mac, and see if your spacebar is fixed.

Our extra hint: 

 

You can also update macOS from the command line. Read our guide on how to open Terminal on macOS for more information about how this tool works.

8. Reset NVRAM or PRAM

Resetting NVRAM or PRAM can fix the spacebar on your MacBook. To reset NVRAM or PRAM on an Apple Silicon Mac, simply restart your machine.

Do as follows to reset NVRAM or PRAM on an Intel Mac:

1. Turn off your Mac.
2. Turn your Mac back on, and immediately press and hold Opt+Cmd+P+R for around 20 seconds. Your Mac might restart more than once.
3. Check to see if your spacebar is working properly.

9. Replace your keyboard

If you have an external keyboard, and you can’t get it working, you might need to buy a new one.

Of course, if you can’t fix the spacebar on your MacBook, you can’t simply replace the keyboard. If your MacBook is under warranty or covered by AppleCare, reach out to Apple for help. Otherwise, seek third-party expert support (use your Mac’s Secure Empty Trash feature before giving your Mac to anyone else).

Don’t get lost in spacebar problems

If the spacebar on your Mac is stuck or not working, it’s probably caused by dirt or a temporary software issue. A quick bit of cleaning and a restart is usually enough to get your spacebar working again.

Hopefully, one of our fixes has got you back on track, but if you need more support, you know what to do—reach out to MacKeeper’s Premium Services team. They’re experts in all things Apple, and they’re ready to help at any time.