Are you a user of Macbook Pro or Macbook Air? Do you have any problems with your keyboard? Like, Macbook keyboard not working on startup, something like that?
Luckily, you’ve reached the exact place from where you will get the desired solutions. Along with that, we will also discuss these issues,
- MacBook keyboard not working after update
- MacBook Air keyboard and trackpad not working
You can fix any problems at any time by yourself or take them to the experts. But if you know the reason behind the issues, it will be helpful for you to identify.
The most known villains for not working the Mac keyboard are dust, liquid, debris, or any other particles. These materials accumulate under the keys and cause sticking keys. The keys continue to skip the keystrokes or keep repeating keys.
Other causes are the old macOS version, Some apps, SMC settings, PRAM settings, NVRAM settings, etc.
How to fix it – MacBook keyboard not working
1. Clean the keyboard
This is the recommended solution from Apple for this issue first hand. You will need a compressed air can with a straw. Don’t forget to disconnect the keyboard from the power supply.
Hold the MacBook at a 75-degree angle and clean under the key area with the airflow from left to right. Rotate the MacBook onto the other side and do the spray again. Repeat it from all sides to make sure that there is no dust or crumbs left there.
Hopefully, this step will solve the issue immediately from your end.
2. Check the batteries
Have you been using an Apple magic keyboard recently? It has a built-in battery. Sometimes it fails to connect the power and causes of not working. Check if it is charged or not, connect it with a different cable or different USB port.
3. Check bluetooth
Check the Bluetooth connection if the keyboard is a Bluetooth one. Your Bluetooth keyboard may not work for its settings. For login to the window try with another USB keyboard. After entering your desktop, remove your Bluetooth keyboard from system preferences. Then, again pair up the keyboard.
4. Check USB connection
You can solve the issue with the USB Mac keyboard by unplugging the keyboard and replugging it. There can be a problem with your USB port. Plug another device to check if the port is okay or not. Try another port to connect the USB keyboard.
5. Check wireless dongle
Some keyboards have a USB dongle to connect with the MacBook. If you have such a device, you need to check the connection. To check the dongle, you can plug in this with another PC. Use another USB port to use the dongle.
6. Try another keyboard
You can use another keyboard instead of the current one if that is a USB keyboard. If it works then you can say that the problem is in the software. You can replace the existing keyboard.
7. Update macOS
The old version of the operating system, or drivers, firmware may cause the MacBook Air keyboard not to work. To update the software. Or OS, go to the app store and search for updates. If there are any updates available, install them. You can set the “Automatically check for updates” options from system preferences.
8. Restore latest update
There is another problem as well, that sometimes the MacBook keyboard not working after update. In that case, you need to restore the earlier version of the OS.
Note that, after restoring the version, all of your saved data will erase from your Macbook. If you want to keep them then copy them to another drive or portable storage.
How to restore the old version,
- Go to the Apple menu, click Restart.
- After restart, press and hold the keys, command+R key.
- While the Apple logo appears, then release the keys.
- Select “Restore from a Time Machine Backup”, click Continue.
- Choose the most recent backup for getting back the last state.
- Follow the onscreen instructions.
9. Reset SMC
System Management Controller(SMC) controls some parts of your MacBook like the trackpad, keyboard, cooling fans, battery, power button, etc. So, to fix the hardware issue, SMC resetting will be a good option. You should try it once if the above steps are not working for you.
How to reset the SMC on MacBook with T2 security chip,
- Shut down the MacBook.
- Hold down the keys “Ctl+Opt” and “Shift” from the right side together.
- After seven seconds, hold the power button along with them.
- Hold the keys for seven seconds more and then release all.
- Turn on the MacBook a few minutes later.
How to reset the SMC on MacBook without T2 security chip,
- Shut down the MacBook.
- Hold down the keys “Ctl+Shift+Opt” from the left side together.
- Hold the power button along with them.
- Hold the keys for ten seconds and then release all.
- Turn on the MacBook a few minutes later.
10. Delete recent apps
Is your MacBook keyboard not working on startup recently? Did you install any new app? This issue may occur for recent apps which are conflicting with other system apps. That’s why your keyboard function is not working. You can delete the apps in these ways,
- Launchpad (built-in)
- Finder(built-in)
- CleanMyMac(need download)
11. Delete .plist files
If your MacBook air keyboard and trackpad not working then this part is for you specially.
Plist means property list and these files save the applications preferences. Old files cause problems on the device. To get back the Macbook keyboard and trackpad as working fine, you need to delete .plist files. You may keep your data backup by the option “backup your Mac with Time Machine”.
Follow the instructions below,
- Open the Finder
- Press the keys, Command+Shift+G
- Type there, ~/Library/Preferences/ and click on Go
- Locate the following files
- com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothmultitouch.trackpad.plist
- com.apple.driver.AppleHIDMouse.plist
- com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothmultitouch.mouse.plist
- com.apple.preference.trackpad.plist
- com.apple.ApplemultitouchTrackpad.plist
- Delete these files
- Restart the MacBook.
12. Reset PRAM
There is another solution of the MacBook Air keyboard and trackpad not working. NVRAM and PRAM have access to store some quick information. By resetting these, you may get the desired result. Both are able to reset in same way, here they are,
- Turn off the Mac
- Reboot the Mac, while doing this press and hold the keys “Command+Option+P+R” together
- Wait for the gray screen
- After seeing the Apple logo, release all keys.
- Wait until the Mac turns on automatically.
We hope this article will help you with every aspect you have. You can fix the issue about your MacBook keyboard not working on startup. If you have any other issues, you should ask the expert’s help.
Do you have the problem that the Macbook keyboard is not working on a startup? Effective solutions are here. Clean the keyboard. Check the connection of USB port, Bluetooth keyboard. Reset the PRAM and update the macOS.
How to Fix Keyboard Macbook Not Working | Repair All Problem Keys
FAQ
Ans: The first solution is cleaning the keyboard with compressed airflow. Then check all connections like USB cable or Bluetooth connection. IF all are okay then update your macOS.
Ans: Yes, same. If you know the setting steps of PRAM, you can do the NVRAM set also. Here are the following instructions,
1. Turn off the Mac
2. Reboot the Mac, while doing this press and hold the keys 3.“Command+Option+P+R” together
4. Wait for the gray screen
5. After seeing the Apple logo, release all keys.
6. Wait until the Mac turns on automatically.
I am a regular user of computer keyboards. For using keyboard face different kinds of problems and also solve it very easily. I love sharing knowledge about keyboards.
