Apple Keyboard Stopped Working? Here’s How to Fix It

If your Mac keyboard stops working, it’s almost impossible to do anything useful with your Mac. You can’t write any documents or type into your web browser. And the problem is even worse if your MacBook keyboard isn’t working because you can’t just replace it with a new one. Don’t worry! Our team has gathered common fixes for Mac keyboard problems, which might be exactly what you’re looking for.

Before we start
 

Uninstalling problematic apps can potentially get your keyboard working properly again. But simply deleting them from the macOS Applications folder can leave files behind. Thankfully, you can fully remove apps with MacKeeper’s Smart Uninstaller:

1. In MacKeeper, select Smart Uninstaller on the left
2. Click Start scan
3. When it’s finished, select the apps you want to remove
4. Click Remove selected.

This will remove those apps from your Mac, without leaving anything behind. To give it a go, download MacKeeper and try it for free.

Clean your Mac keyboard

When certain Mac keyboard keys aren’t working, it could be caused by dust and other junk underneath them. This is likely if you have a habit of eating while using your Mac.

1. Cleaning out under the keys could solve the problem.
2. Hold your MacBook or Mac keyboard vertically, preferably at a 75º angle
3. Using a can of compressed air, spray the keyboard or the non-functioning keys. Then move in a left-to-right direction
4. Rotate your MacBook or keyboard to its right and then left side. Repeat the action.

Update macOS

It’s possible your Mac keyboard isn’t working due to software issues. In that case, updating macOS could help.

1. Open System Preferences
2. Select Software Update
3. If there are updates available, install them.

Also, if you need more help, read this detailed guide on how to update Mac. 

Delete preferences

macOS stores settings in files with the .plist extension. Deleting .plist files can help with all sorts of problems, by resetting settings that may be the cause. Before you do delete any .plist files, though, our experts highly recommend you to back up your Mac with Time Machine, in case you run into any issues later.

1. From Finder, press Cmd + Shift + G
2. Type in ~/Library/Preferences/ and click Go
3. Find and delete com.apple.keyboardtype.plist
4. Restart your Mac.

There are lots of other .plist files on your Mac. Deleting this can help with many other issues, including problems with your Mac’s mouse. macOS will rebuild them when necessary.

Delete recently installed apps

Your Mac keyboard may not be working because a new app is interfering with it. If the problem started recently, think about what apps you’ve added, and try removing them.

How to see recently installed apps on a Mac:

1. Open Finder, and go to the Applications folder
2. Using the sort options at the top of Finder, select Sort By > Date Added.

Reset your SMC

SMC stands for System Management Controller. It controls certain low-functions of certain Macs, some of which relate to the keyboard. So if your Mac keyboard has stopped working, our advice is to reset it. How you do that depends on various criteria, like whether it’s an Intel or M1 Mac, an iMac or MacBook, and whether it has a T2 Security Chip in it or not.

How to reset the SMC for MacBooks with T2 chip:

1. Turn off your MacBook
2. Hold down Ctl + Opt on the left side of your keyboard and Shift on the right side
3. Keep them held down for seven seconds, then press and hold the power button too.
4. After another seven seconds, release all keys
5. After a few more seconds, turn your MacBook on again.

How to reset the SMC for MacBooks without the T2 chip:

1. Turn off your MacBook
2. Press and hold Ctrl + Shift + Opt on the left side of your keyboard
3. Keeping them held down, press and hold down the power button
4. After 10 seconds, release all four keys
5. Turn on your MacBook again.

For much older MacBooks, which have removable batteries, check the official guide to resetting the SMC.

Note from our experts

 

To reset the SMC in an Intel iMac or Mac Mini, just turn it off, unplug it from the mains for 15 seconds, and then turn it back on again. M1 Macs, meanwhile, don’t use an SMC at all, so there’s nothing to reset.

Try another keyboard

When your Mac keyboard isn’t working, trying a different one is a good idea. If a different keyboard works, then the problem is likely to be related to software or your Mac itself.

That applies to MacBooks too. It’s not ideal, but you can connect an external keyboard and type like that. However, replacing a MacBook keyboard can be difficult, so you might need professional assistance if it turns out the keyboard is broken.

Also, it’s known that certain MacBook Air and MacBook Pro keyboards stop working due to their design. These MacBooks all use what’s known as the ‘butterfly’ keyboard, and yours may be eligible for a free replacement.

Check your USB connection

Sometimes, you can fix a USB Mac keyboard problem just by unplugging it and then plugging it back in again. You should also check to see your USB ports are working okay. Unplug your keyboard, and then plug something else into that port, like your mouse. If it works, then the USB port is probably fine.

Check batteries

If your wireless Apple keyboard isn’t turning on, try replacing the batteries, if possible. But if you’re using something like the newer Apple Magic keyboard, which has a built-in battery, check it’s charged. Also, try using a different charging cable and a different USB port on your Mac. Any of these things could be the reason your Mac keyboard won’t turn on.

Check Bluetooth

Using a Bluetooth keyboard? The problem could be caused by your Mac’s Bluetooth settings. Removing your keyboard from your Mac’s Bluetooth device list and then adding it again could be the solution.

1. In System Preferences, select Bluetooth
2. Check if Bluetooth is activated
3. If your Bluetooth keyboard is paired with your Mac, it should be listed under Devices
4. Select your keyboard, and click the X to remove it
5. Pair your keyboard with your Mac again.

Check your wireless dongle

Some wireless keyboards use a USB dongle to connect to your Mac. Even if the batteries are fully charged in your keyboard, if it can’t connect to the dongle, it won’t work.

This is a difficult problem to check, unfortunately. The wireless chips in either the dongle or the keyboard could be broken, and there’s no good way to find out.

You can try plugging the dongle into a different USB port, though, as well as on another computer. If it works elsewhere, the keyboard and dongle are fine.

Is it time for a new keyboard?

With any luck, one of the fixes in this article worked for you. But sometimes Mac keyboards stop working because they’re broken beyond repair. They can be permanently damaged by liquids, for example. And they can also just wear out over time, particularly if you hit the keys hard when you type.

Try your keyboard on a different computer, if you can. And try a different keyboard with your Mac. That way you can eliminate each one as the problem and work out what’s actually wrong.

FAQ

1. Why are some keys on my keyboard not working?

If only certain keys on your Mac keyboard aren’t working, it could be because they’re damaged or dirty. You might have also enabled an option or application that changes the function of certain keys. For example, hitting Num Lock on the numpad will change what those keys do.

2. How do I make my Apple wireless keyboard discoverable?

To put an Apple Magic Keyboard into pairing mode:

1. Connect it to your Mac with a Lightning to USB cable
2. Make sure the keyboard’s power switch is on
3. Select Bluetooth in System Preferences. Your keyboard will appear in there when it’s paired and ready.

3. What should I do if my keyboard backlight isn’t turning on?

Although it’s possible the LEDs in your keyboard could be damaged, it’s likely caused by your settings. As well as following Apple’s official guidance on adjusting your keyboard backlighting, try resetting your Mac’s SMC and removing relevant .plist files.

Read more

• Essential Keyboard Shortcuts for Mac Users
• 5 Easy Ways to Right-Click on a Mac
• How to Take a Screenshot on a Mac
• How to Run Apple Diagnostics to Fix Your Mac’s Errors
• 6 Steps to Follow When Bluetooth Is Not Working on Your Mac