Has your keyboard contain ferment ? Assuming that you have n’t spilled your drink over it ( it ’s happened to us all ) it may that all you need to do is make some changes to the computer software circumstance on your Mac to get things make for again . Also see : How to fix a Mac
The way to trouble-shoot a broken keyboard depends on whether it ’s a pumped up keyboard ( plug in via USB ) or wireless keyboard ( plug in via Bluetooth ) . Alternatively it may be that it is the keyboard of your Mac laptop that is n’t working – your MacBook , MacBook Air or MacBook Pro might be unusable because the computer keyboard has stopped working .
It might not be the whole keyboard that ’s stopped working . Perhaps it ’s just a key or two that no longer cross-file . We ’ll also discuss what you may do if that is the case .
Another possible scenario is that the keys on your keyboard have changed , so that for example , the £ key is now a $ key . It ’s even potential that all the cay have been mapped differently so you are type gobbledygook – if that ’s the grammatical case well done for finding this article .
For this tutorial we ’re go to wear that you’re able to still employ the mouse or touchpad with your Mac – if not , then take a facial expression at this clause as well : How to fix an Mac black eye .
How to fix a broken wired keyboard
Here ’s what to do if your wired keyboard is n’t working properly with your Mac .
1. Check there’s power
If all of the keys on your wired keyboard do n’t mould the first affair to condition is that it is correctly plugged into your Mac . Check the USB port wine at the back of your Mac and verify the keyboard ’s not been jerk out .
2. Change the connection
It ’s wise to try a dissimilar USB larboard if you have one available . If the other USB porthole works , great , although you may find you have an issue with the other USB port to treat with .
If commute the USB port does n’t form at least you have rule out the hypothesis that the defect is with the port .
3. Restart your Mac
Restart the computer – it may be that while bring up the Mac recognize the keyboard .
Another thing to try is logging out of your drug user account and logging into a unlike one , if you have more than one account on your Mac . tap the Apple logo in the top bequeath and opt leave . Log into a different explanation and see if this fix the problem
How to fix a broken wireless keyboard
1. Check the power
If it ’s one of Apple ’s wireless keyboard ( or any wireless keyboard ) you need to check that the batteries have charge , and also that the keyboard is in reality turned on . For example , on the correct - paw side of the Apple wireless keyboard is a Power push . press out it to turn on the keyboard . A green light should seem .
If you involve to change the batteries on an Apple radio receiver keyboard you ’ll need to practice a coin to rotate the expansion slot on the remaining - helping hand side of the keyboard so that you may remove and replace the batteries . Frustratingly it ’s our experience that the battery in wireless keyboards go vapid very regularly , so it ’s worth always having spare batteries to reach ( or an emergency pumped-up keyboard ) .
2. Check the Bluetooth connection
If you have a wireless keyboard you need to mark off its Bluetooth connective to your Mac .
Check that Bluetooth is spark off on your Mac , and that the Mac and keyboard are paired .
To check that Bluetooth is turn on go to : System Preferences > Bluetooth . ascertain it ’s turned on and if it is n’t sour it on .
If the keyboard is paired with your Mac you should see it listed under Devices .
If the keyboard is n’t paired choose Set Up Bluetooth Keyboard and survey the steps .
As above you could attempt logging out of your user account and logging into a dissimilar one , if you have more than one report on your Mac . press the Apple logo in the top left and choose leave . Log into a different story and see if this fixes the job .
4. Disconnect the keyboard
If you ’ve replaced the barrage fire and control the power , and the keys still do n’t work on , then you should disconnect and reconnect your keyboard to the Mac .
Open System Preferences > Bluetooth . If the keyboard is name in Devices , Control - penetrate it and choose Remove . Now pick out System Preferences > Keyboard > pose Up Bluetooth Keyboard .
How to fix a damaged keyboard
If you think there is a chance that your keyboard has been damaged how you fix it reckon on the case .
What to do with a water damaged keyboard
If you spill water on a wired or wireless keyboard you may be capable to dry out out the keyboard and get it working again .
The central thing here is to act promptly as the water can do damage if it touch the component of the keyboard – or bad your Mac if the keyboard is incorporated . Water talk on a MacBook keyboard can quickly get into the circuitry so be sure to act quickly .
If you shed something potent , or worst sticky , drying the keyboard may not be enough – especially if the residue is viscid .
What to do with a grubby, sticky keyboard
It might not be something wet that ’s stopped your keyboard working in good order . From metre to meter it ’s a good idea to clean your keyboard ( ostensibly they are more dirty than a toilet seat ) . Definitely do n’t submerge it in weewee though ! There isguide to cleaning your keyboard here .
If you need to get under the keys – perhaps because certain keys are cleave ( perhaps because you spill something viscous on the keyboard ) we have a guide tohow to remove the key on a Mac keyboard here .
What to do with a damaged MacBook keyboard
If the keyboard of your Mac laptop has stop working the prognosis is n’t so good . You may postulate to go to the Apple Store or your local Apple centre to enquire about the monetary value of replacing the keyboard .
Alternatively , you could render have a second paw keyboard and put back the one on your Mac , but we do n’t recommend this asMacBook keyboard are fully integrated with the MacBook caseand are therefore not well-off to alter ( Apple much goes out of its direction to make it unsufferable ) .
A better solution is to plug in a keyboard to your MacBook ’s USB port , or use a Bluetooth keyboard .
Really want to break open up your Mac ? ReadHow to get into a Mac : which screwdrivers do I involve to give up a Mac case ?
How to fix mixed up keys on a Mac keyboard
This pace lend oneself if your keyboard offspring are refer to specific characters . Perhaps the headstone are n’t registering as you expect them too .
Go to System Preferences > Keyboards and see Input Sources and make certain that the keyboard pick out is the one for your country . You ’d be surprised how mixed up the keys will be if you usually British keyboard was mapped for . For Example a French keyboard has azerty rather than qwerty across the top left .
Go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Input Sources and check that the correct language is listed . If you are from the UK and have a US keyboard coif up on your Mac you will find some keys are not in the proper place .
Speaking of keyboards , we have some article that help with various keyboard related questions such asWhere is the Option key on a Mac , as well ashow to in good order - snap on a MacandHow to regain remainder and home plate on a Mac keyboard . We also haveKeyboard shortcuts for Mac users : written matter & paste , Option , Command and Control .
What to do if the Number keys aren’t working
If you ’re let trouble with just the numeral distinguish on your keyboard , you ’ve probably turned on Mouse Keys by mistake . Mouse Keys is an accessibility lineament that enables the great unwashed to utilise the numerical key to control the pointer . You call for to check that you have n’t accidentally turned on Mouse Keys , and if you have , call on it off .
Here ’s how to turn off Mouse Keys :
