Is your Mac keyboard Not Working? Here are the Fixes

Macs are sturdy computers that feature the perfect combination of hardware and software. Both aspects are well-integrated and optimized, making Apple’s range of computers a force to reckon with.

However, just like all other machines, Macs exhibit issues at one point in time or another. For instance, there are times when Macs’ keyboard stops working, i.e., the device is unable to recognize key presses. Thankfully, there are multiple ways following which users can resolve the issue.

This article will list some of the most effective fixes for the “keyboard not working” issue on Mac. Let us get started:

• Clean the Keyboard

When a Mac’s keyboard stops working, the problem in most cases is dust stuck between keys, which prohibits the device from registering clicks. Hence, one of the most effective ways to fix the keyboard issue of Macs is to clean the keyboard.

There are different ways of cleaning a Mac’s keyboard. For instance, if you have a Mac with a wireless keyboard, you can clean it using a light brush.

However, if you own a MacBook, it would be best to use a compressed air spray. To do so, tilt your Apple laptop at a 75-degree angle to ensure it is not vertical. Then, use the compressed air spray on the half of the keyboard where the affected keys are located. Repeat the process with the other half. Make sure you use a straw along with the air spray to limit the flow of air emitting from it.

• Restart Your Mac

There are times when problematic background processes prevent specific keyboard keys from functioning normally. For example, the dedicated volume keys on a Mac keyboard are unable to register presses from the user.

Thankfully, to fix Mac volume buttons not working or a similar issue with any other keys, there is an effective fix – restarting the Mac. There are multiple ways following which users can restart their Mac.

For starters, they can do it manually by using the in-built restart option on the device. Besides this, they can also press the dedicated power button to turn off the device and then press it again to turn it back on. Although generic, this method works in resolving the “Mac keyboard not working” issue in most cases.

• Download and Install the Latest macOS Updates

One of the main reasons why Apple has such a massive global fan following is that it constantly strives to offer the best-in-class experience to users of all devices, including Macs. In the case of its computers, one of the ways the tech giant does it is by rolling out frequent macOS updates.

The annual macOS update brings numerous new additions and improvements to the OS, thereby making Macs even better as computers. Besides bringing new additions in terms of features, macOS updates also solve multiple issues, one of them being keyboard-related problems.

Hence, if a Mac user’s keyboard is malfunctioning, downloading and installing the latest macOS update might solve the issue. To update to the latest version of macOS, all users need to do is navigate to the “Software Update” section on their Mac and download & install the available one.

• Reset the Mac’s PRAM and SMC

The Parameter Random Access Memory, or PRAM, and the System Management Controller (SMC) are responsible for storing a Mac’s core values and taking care of the CPU and lightning, respectively. Sometimes, a Mac’s keyboard stops working due to issues with the PRAM and SMC.

Resetting both virtual components could solve the issue. Hence, macOS users whose keyboards are not working properly or exhibiting issues can reset both their device’s PRAM as well as SMC to get the job done. However, users should back up all their important data and follow a step-by-step guide on resetting the PRAM and SMC to get the job done smoothly.

• Get Rid of Problematic Applications

Besides all the aforementioned causes of keyboards malfunctioning, problematic applications and programs are also prominent troublemakers which prevent the keyboard from functioning regularly.

To determine which app is causing the issue, users should navigate to the “System Report” section present in the “About the Mac” section’s Overview tab. From there, they should navigate to the “Installations” section under the “Software” tab to check which apps have been recently installed.

From here, users can determine which app or program is causing issues based on their installation date. Once the culprit has been found, all a user needs to do is remove the app from their Mac by uninstalling them and restarting their Mac. Doing so will potentially solve the issue and allow the user to use their keyboard normally.

 Mac users can easily resolve keyboard-related issues by following the aforementioned tips. However, if the issues are hardware-related, it would be best to get the device or component checked at an authorized Apple service center.