How to fix your 'MacBook keyboard is not working” issue

Mac keyboard failure? Quick Diagnosis and Repair Guide!

Mac keyboard failures can seriously affect work and entertainment. Don't rush to buy an external keyboard. This article will guide you to diagnose and fix the problem and help you quickly restore normal use.

The following steps will help you quickly resolve your MacBook keyboard issues:

The fundamental problem	Solution
There are debris on the keyboard itself	Use compressed air to clean debris on the keyboard.
Keyboard layout settings errors	Add or delete layout: System Settings > Keyboard > Input Source > Edit > Select Keyboard.
Modify key configuration error	Reconfigure modifier keys: System Settings > Keyboard Shortcuts > Modifier keys > Apple's built-in keyboard.
Slow key and sticky keys turn on	Turn off these features: System Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard.
macOS system needs to be updated	Update to the latest version: System Settings > Software Update.
SMC needs to be reset	Turn off the Mac > Press and hold the Shift Control Option power button.
NVRAM needs to be reset	Restart your Macbook > Press and hold Command Option PR.
Recent installed application conflicts	Temporarily uninstall recently installed applications (such as using CleanMyMac) to fix the issue.

Why can't Mac keyboard type?

The MacBook Pro keyboard failure is frustrating. All MacBook models may experience built-in keyboard or trackpad issues, but the early MacBook Air and MacBook Pro between 2016 and 2019 were more prone to problems due to their "butterfly keyboard" design. This design leaves a lot of space, causing various particles to gather together and cause keyboard failure.

For newer laptops, physical damage can also occur, or other subtle causes such as hardware problems or software failures. don’t worry! The following methods will help you solve the problem of "Mac keyboard failure".

Step by step repair of a faulty Mac keyboard

Before digging into the hardware issues or booking a Genius Bar, try some simple troubleshooting methods.

How to Fix Failed Mac Built-in Keyboard

There are many reasons for the built-in keyboard of Mac, and the solutions are equally diverse.

1. Clean the MacBook Keyboard

Years of experience using Macbooks tell me that keeping a can of compressed air can effectively keep your laptop clean and away from debris. It is recommended that you prepare a can. How to use:

1. Tilt the MacBook to a 75-degree angle.
2. Keep the nozzle a few centimeters away from the keyboard.
3. Clean the surroundings of the buttons in a short spray.

Even small debris can affect the typing experience, so be sure to spray compressed air from different angles and consider using other specialized tools to assist with cleaning.

2. Check keyboard layout settings

Hardware issues are headaches, but what if it is just a simple layout and configuration problem? Inspection method:

1. Open System Settings.
2. Scroll down and click on the Keyboard tab.
3. Under "Input Source", click "Edit".
4. Click the keyboard displayed on the left side of the pop-up window.
5. Click the plus and minus buttons to add or delete the keyboard layout.

If the keyboard input does not match the output, resolving conflicts between different keyboard layouts may help resolve the problem.

3. Reconfigure the modifier key

If keyboard operation is difficult, checking the modifier key settings is a good way.

Modification keys are used when inserting special symbols on the keyboard or when using shortcut keys. These include Shift, Control, Option, and Command keys, which are used in combination with other keys to perform tasks. Reconfiguration method:

1. Open System Settings.
2. Scroll down and click "Keyboard".
3. Click "Keyboard Shortcuts" under "Keyboard Navigation".
4. Click "Modify key" and select "Apple built-in keyboard".
5. Reconfigure each modifier key through the respective drop-down menus and select the action you want it to perform.

Click "Done" to apply the changes and recheck the keyboard.

4. Disable slow and sticky keys

Sticky keys are a useful feature that allows users to set modifier keys that can be used without pressing and holding, while slow keys change the time interval between key pressing and registering. If these features are not useful to you, turning them on may cause problems. How to check the settings of slow and sticky keys:

1. Open System Settings.
2. Click "Accessibility".
3. Click "Keyboard" under "Motor".
4. Enable or disable Sticky Keys and Slow Keys depending on your preferences.

Both options have additional settings that can be accessed through their respective information buttons, such as changing the delay level or adding a sound prompt.

5. Update macOS

Have you never updated macOS? This can lead to various limitations such as support issues, software compatibility issues, and performance issues, and can also affect the keyboard. How to install macOS updates:

1. Open System Settings.
2. Click "Software Update" under Apple ID. If this option is not available, you may have installed the latest version of macOS.
3. Click "Update tonight" or "Restart now", depending on when you want to start updating.

Make sure your MacBook has enough battery and memory to complete the update.

6. Reset NVRAM and SMC

Nonvolatile random access memory (NVRAM) is a memory that Macs use to store and access specific settings such as boot disk selection. It ensures that the Mac starts smoothly. Similarly, the System Management Controller (SMC) manages other important features in the Mac hardware, including the keyboard and trackpad.

How to reset SMC:

1. Turn off MacBook.
2. Insert the MagSafe adapter.
3. Press and hold the Shift Control Option power button.

After the adapter color changes, it means that the SMC has been reset.

How to reset NVRAM:

1. Restart your MacBook.
2. Immediately hold down the Command Option PR key until you hear the start ringtone again.

This also resets the PRAM (parameter RAM) of the processing trackpad.

7. Check for recently installed applications

Some applications may have abnormal settings or conflict with other software on your laptop, resulting in various interferences, including keyboard dysfunction. How to check recently installed applications:

1. Open Mac Finder.
2. Go to the Applications folder.
3. Sort by "Add Date" and you will see the recently downloaded or updated apps.

You can download and re-download these apps, check their settings, and make some attempts to see if that fixes the problem.

This method is good, but can be time consuming. In this case, I use CleanMyMac, which is my preferred application for cleaning my laptop. While this may not directly solve the keyboard problem, it removes all traces of unnecessary applications and detects and removes malware that can cause keyboard failure.

8. Use external keyboard in emergency situations

I know, this suggestion is obvious, but it is worth mentioning. It has saved me in the past.

My laptop is the center of my work, games and everything else. It is part of my desktop setup and when set up on my laptop stand I use an external keyboard. This external device is very useful when my old Butterfly keyboard has a missing key issue or needs to resolve a faulty keyboard issue in an emergency.

How to repair external keyboard

If you already have an external keyboard that doesn't work properly, here are some quick fixes.

1. Check Bluetooth connection

External keyboards usually work via Bluetooth connection. Therefore, first check whether Bluetooth is turned on and whether the keyboard is connected. Next, you can check the Bluetooth keyboard settings:

1. Open System Settings > Bluetooth.
2. Click the information circle next to the external keyboard.
3. Click "Keyboard Settings" and adjust the keyboard settings.

Alternatively, you can try to forget the device and reconnect from scratch.

If you often have trouble operating your Bluetooth device, you may like ToothFairy. It provides a faster way to connect and disconnect any device – Airpods, keyboards, mouses – and more. Each device can have its own icon on the menu bar, and you can program hotkeys for connecting and disconnecting. Advanced features even include high-quality audio, preventing disconnection, and launching specific applications when connecting to a specific device.

2. Check the battery level of the wireless keyboard

This may be a simple and obvious thing to check, but is your wireless keyboard charged? Most external keyboards don't have a physical battery indicator, so if your keyboard doesn't connect to Bluetooth, you may need to plug it in for minutes or hours.

You may have noticed that only Apple devices will show real-time battery power in the Bluetooth menu bar. This can be frustrating, especially if you are not sure when the battery runs out. That's why I use Batteries to quickly understand the battery level of all devices and tell me when I need to charge.

3. Troubleshooting wired keyboard

For wired keyboards, the problem may be hardware-related. If the keyboard response is not working properly, you may need to replace the keyboard cable. Otherwise, it may be that there is a problem with the USB port on the Mac. To figure this out, try connecting the keyboard to a different USB port or connecting another device to a USB port.

Extra tip: How to fix the MacBook trackpad

The MacBook trackpad fails, just as frustrating. After all, without an external device, it will make your laptop useless. If you recently sprinkled liquid on the trackpad, you may have found the answer. If not, you can use some other solutions.

• Clean the surface of the touch panel with a microfiber cloth or spray the edges with compressed air.
• Update macOS.
• Reset SMC or PRAM.
• Check the trackpad settings through system settings.
• Run Apple Diagnostics by turning off the MacBook and turning it on while holding down the D key.

If you need detailed instructions for each step, check out our guide: MacBook Pro trackpad fails? Solution!

Ready to fix a failed MacBook keyboard?

If you are panicking and wondering “Why can’t I type on my Mac?” or “Why is my keyboard not working anymore?” – I’ll give you peace of mind and tell you that there is always a way to fix a Mac keyboard failure. Trying multiple troubleshooting options can help you understand why and help you quickly resolve keyboard issues. If neither of these software and hardware fixes are effective, accessing the Genius Bar is a reliable final choice.

CleanMyMac, Batteries, ToothFairy, BetterTouchTool and One Switch all help enhance MacBook features and make keyboard maintenance easier. All of these tools, along with over 240 other tools, are available through Setapp’s 7-day free trial – an all-in-one subscription platform that offers a variety of useful Mac native applications.

FAQ

Finally, let’s answer some common questions about Mac keyboard failure issues.

How to reset your Mac keyboard?

If the Mac keyboard doesn't work, to reset it completely, you can reset the Bluetooth module or the System Management Controller. To reset the Bluetooth module, go to the terminal and enter the command sudo pkill bluetoothd . Alternatively, you can try resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) by turning off the MacBook and holding the Shift Control Option power button at the same time for 10 seconds.

Can the keyboard be locked?

Unfortunately, the Mac keyboard does not have built-in keyboard locking. Fortunately, many third-party software such as One Switch can temporarily disable the keyboard for cleaning, gaming, or demonstrations, and for accessibility reasons.

How to unlock the keyboard on your Mac?

If your MacBook keyboard doesn't work and you've locked it before, unlocking it might be the solution. To unlock the keyboard, make sure to check all downloaded applications with keyboard locking. For example, the One Switch has a toggle switch for keyboard locking, which may be on. Another way is to go through Accessibility Settings > Keyboard (under the Motor section) and make sure the sticky and slow keys are turned off.

How to fix keys that cannot be typed on Mac?

Can't output a single key? First try to gently remove any particulate matter that may cause failure using compressed air. If this doesn't work, you can carefully reinstall the keycap, pry it off and press it back on. If you have a Butterfly keyboard with a key problem, you may be eligible to change the keyboard for free in the official Apple store. MacBook keyboards are fragile, so be careful when handling them.

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