10 Simple Ways to Fix an Unresponsive Keyboard on Mac

PDF download Download Article
Fix your Mac laptop keyboard
PDF download Download Article

Is your keyboard not working on your Mac device? Whether it's your laptop's built-in keyboard or external keyboard, there are plenty of fixes you can try. Here's what to do if your keyboard is not working on your Mac, MacBook, or MacBook Air.

1

Connect an external keyboard.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/ff\/Keyboard-Not-Working-Mac-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Keyboard-Not-Working-Mac-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/ff\/Keyboard-Not-Working-Mac-Step-1.jpg\/v4-728px-Keyboard-Not-Working-Mac-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This can help determine if it's a software or hardware issue. This will also help you perform other fixes, so borrow a keyboard if you don't have a spare to use.
    2. Advertisement
2

Let the Mac charge.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7d\/Keyboard-Not-Working-Mac-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Keyboard-Not-Working-Mac-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7d\/Keyboard-Not-Working-Mac-Step-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Keyboard-Not-Working-Mac-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Plug in your MacBook and let it sit for thirty minutes to charge. Then, try your keyboard again.
3

Check for updates.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d3\/Keyboard-Not-Working-Mac-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Keyboard-Not-Working-Mac-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d3\/Keyboard-Not-Working-Mac-Step-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Keyboard-Not-Working-Mac-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you have an outdated driver or operating system, this can affect your keyboard.
    2. Advertisement
4

Uninstall new apps.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/60\/Keyboard-Not-Working-Mac-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Keyboard-Not-Working-Mac-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/60\/Keyboard-Not-Working-Mac-Step-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Keyboard-Not-Working-Mac-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If your keyboard is suddenly not working, it could be due to the new app you downloaded. Uninstall it , restart your computer, and see if your keyboard works again.
5

Use Terminal to restart your Touch Bar.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/ff\/Keyboard-Not-Working-Mac-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Keyboard-Not-Working-Mac-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/ff\/Keyboard-Not-Working-Mac-Step-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Keyboard-Not-Working-Mac-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This may get the rest of the keyboard to work properly. Do the following:
    • Open the Terminal .
    • Type sudo pkill TouchBarServer; and press Enter .
    • Type sudo killall "ControlStrip"; and press Enter .
    • Enter your device's password and press Enter .
    2. Advertisement
6

Disable Slow Keys.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c8\/Keyboard-Not-Working-Mac-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Keyboard-Not-Working-Mac-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c8\/Keyboard-Not-Working-Mac-Step-6.jpg\/v4-728px-Keyboard-Not-Working-Mac-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This feature makes you press and hold a key for longer until it's registered. [1] To turn it off, do the following:
    • Select the Apple menu.
    • Click System Settings .
    • Click Accessibility .
    • Click Keyboard .
    • Toggle off Slow Keys .
7

Disable Mouse Keys.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f9\/Keyboard-Not-Working-Mac-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Keyboard-Not-Working-Mac-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f9\/Keyboard-Not-Working-Mac-Step-7.jpg\/v4-728px-Keyboard-Not-Working-Mac-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This feature lets you move the mouse using the keyboard. To turn it off, do the following:
    • Select the Apple menu.
    • Click System Settings .
    • Click Accessibility .
    • Click Pointer Control .
    • Toggle off Mouse Keys .
    2. Advertisement
8

Check the keyboard layout.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b2\/Keyboard-Not-Working-Mac-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Keyboard-Not-Working-Mac-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b2\/Keyboard-Not-Working-Mac-Step-8.jpg\/v4-728px-Keyboard-Not-Working-Mac-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This can be adjusted in your keyboard settings. Do the following:
    • Select the Apple menu.
    • Click System Settings .
    • Click Keyboard .
    • Click Edit next to Input Sources .
    • Toggle on Show Input menu in menu bar .
    • Click the input menu in the top toolbar.
    • Make sure the correct keyboard layout is selected (Ex: U.S.).
9

Clean the keyboard.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/19\/Keyboard-Not-Working-Mac-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Keyboard-Not-Working-Mac-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/19\/Keyboard-Not-Working-Mac-Step-9.jpg\/v4-728px-Keyboard-Not-Working-Mac-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you have any spills or excess debris stuck in your keyboard, this can prevent it from working properly. Just be sure to completely power off and unplug your device before you start cleaning your keyboard .
    2. Advertisement
10

Contact Apple.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/90\/Keyboard-Not-Working-Mac-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Keyboard-Not-Working-Mac-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/90\/Keyboard-Not-Working-Mac-Step-10.jpg\/v4-728px-Keyboard-Not-Working-Mac-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Contact Apple for help. If these fixes don't work, it's possible you have a hardware issue, and you may still be under warranty.

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Reformat a Laptop
      4 Easy Ways to Enter the BIOS on a Lenovo Laptop
      11 Simple Ways to Fix a Dell Laptop with a Black Screen
      How to
      Repair a Laptop Key
      How to
      Check the Temperature of Your Laptop
      10 Simple Ways Keep Your Laptop from Overheating
      How to
      Reset a Toshiba Laptop
      10 Simple Ways to Fix a Lenovo Laptop with a Black Screen
      What to Do If You’ve Spilled Water on Your Laptop
      How to
      Fix a Laptop Screen
      How to
      Take Good Care of Your Laptop Computer
      Simple Steps to Solve Screen Bleeding on Laptop
      How to
      Repair Dell Laptop Keyboard Keys
      How to
      Fix a Shadow on Your Laptop Screen
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/if-your-mac-doesnt-respond-to-key-presses-mchlp1240/mac

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 817 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement