A Mac keyboard that is not working is usually caused by a connection problem, low battery, incorrect settings, temporary macOS software trouble, or physical damage. Start by checking the keyboard’s power and connection, then restart your Mac and review keyboard settings. If only certain keys fail, clean around them carefully and look for signs of liquid or impact damage.
Quick Answer
Try these steps in order:
- Check whether the keyboard is turned on and charged.
- Reconnect a Bluetooth or USB keyboard.
- Restart your Mac.
- Test the keyboard in another app and at the login screen.
- Check Accessibility and keyboard layout settings.
- Start the Mac in Safe Mode to test for software conflicts.
- Clean stuck keys carefully without spraying liquid onto the keyboard.
- Arrange service if the keyboard has liquid damage, repeated key failures, or visible physical damage.
If the built-in keyboard does not work, connect an external USB or Bluetooth keyboard to complete the troubleshooting steps.
Check the Keyboard’s Power and Connection
Before changing macOS settings, confirm that the keyboard is receiving power and communicating with your Mac.
Built-in MacBook keyboard
If your MacBook keys are not responding:
- Connect the MacBook to power.
- Wait several minutes if the battery is completely depleted.
- Press the Caps Lock key and check whether its indicator light turns on, if your model has one.
- Try typing in a simple app such as TextEdit.
- Check whether the trackpad works. If both the keyboard and trackpad are unresponsive, the problem may be more serious than a single stuck key.
A completely unresponsive MacBook may need to be forced to shut down as a last resort. Press and hold the power button or Touch ID button until the Mac turns off, then wait a few seconds and turn it on again.
Warning: A forced shutdown can cause unsaved work to be lost. Use it only when normal restart controls are unavailable.
Apple Magic Keyboard or another Bluetooth keyboard
For a wireless keyboard:
- Turn the keyboard off and on again.
- Connect it to your Mac with its charging cable, if it has a built-in rechargeable battery.
- Leave it connected for a few minutes to charge.
- Disconnect the cable and try typing again.
- Move the keyboard closer to the Mac and temporarily move other wireless devices away from it.
If the keyboard uses replaceable batteries, install a fresh set. Check that the batteries are inserted in the correct direction.
USB keyboard
For a USB keyboard:
- Disconnect the keyboard.
- Reconnect it directly to the Mac instead of through a hub or dock.
- Try another USB port, if available.
- If you use a USB-C adapter, test a different adapter or cable.
- Test the keyboard on another computer, if possible.
If the keyboard works when connected directly but not through a hub or dock, the accessory or its connection may be the cause.
Reconnect a Bluetooth Keyboard
If macOS no longer recognizes a Bluetooth keyboard, remove it from Bluetooth settings and pair it again.
- Open the Apple menu and choose System Settings.
- Select Bluetooth.
- Find the keyboard in the list of devices.
- If it appears as connected, turn it off and back on.
- If it still does not work, click the information button next to the keyboard and choose Forget This Device.
- Confirm the removal if macOS asks.
- Put the keyboard into pairing mode according to its instructions.
- Select it in the Bluetooth device list and choose Connect.
Warning: Forgetting the keyboard disconnects it from the Mac. Make sure you can use the built-in keyboard, a USB keyboard, or another input method before removing it.
If you cannot use the keyboard to enter a pairing code, use the Mac’s built-in keyboard or connect a USB keyboard temporarily.
Restart Your Mac
Restarting clears temporary software problems that can prevent keyboard input from being processed.
- Save your work.
- Close open apps if possible.
- Open the Apple menu.
- Choose Restart.
- Confirm the restart if prompted.
Warning: Save your documents first. Restarting can close apps and may cause unsaved changes to be lost.
If the keyboard does not work but the trackpad or mouse does, use the Apple menu. If neither input device responds, press and hold the power button until the Mac turns off, then turn it on again.
Determine Whether the Problem Affects Every App
A keyboard may appear broken when the issue is limited to one app or one text field.
- Open TextEdit from Applications.
- Create a new document.
- Type several letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Test the Return, Delete, Shift, and arrow keys.
- Try typing in another app, such as a web browser.
If the keyboard works in TextEdit but not in one particular app, update or restart that app. The problem may be related to the app rather than macOS or the keyboard.
Also test the keyboard at the login screen after restarting. If it works at login but stops working after you sign in, a login item, utility, or accessibility setting could be interfering.
Check Accessibility Settings
Accessibility features can change how macOS responds to key presses. This is especially important if keys work only when held down, seem delayed, or appear to do nothing.
- Open the Apple menu and choose System Settings.
- Select Accessibility.
- Choose Keyboard.
- Review Slow Keys and turn it off if enabled.
Slow Keys requires you to hold a key for a longer period before macOS recognizes it. This can make a working keyboard seem unresponsive.
Also check these settings:
- Sticky Keys: May change how modifier keys such as Shift, Control, Option, and Command behave.
- Mouse Keys: Can use the keyboard to control the pointer and may affect how certain keys behave.
- Full Keyboard Access: Changes how you move through controls and may make normal navigation feel different.
Turn off any setting you do not need, then test the keyboard again.
Check the Keyboard Layout and Input Source
If keys type the wrong characters rather than failing completely, the selected keyboard layout may be incorrect.
- Open the Apple menu and choose System Settings.
- Select Keyboard.
- Find the Text Input section.
- Click Edit next to Input Sources.
- Confirm that the selected layout matches your physical keyboard, such as U.S. or another appropriate layout.
- Remove an unwanted input source or select the correct one.
A changed input source can cause symbols and punctuation to appear differently. It does not usually explain a completely dead keyboard, but it can look like a keyboard problem when letters and numbers still work.
Check for Modifier Keys or an Active Shortcut
A stuck Command, Option, Control, or Shift key can make other keys behave unexpectedly.
Press each modifier key once and test again. If a physical key is stuck, gently press it several times without forcing it.
You can also open the on-screen keyboard to see whether macOS detects a key press:
- Open the Apple menu and choose System Settings.
- Select Keyboard.
- Find Text Input and click Edit next to Input Sources.
- Enable Show Input menu in menu bar, if necessary.
- Open the Input menu in the menu bar.
- Choose Show Keyboard Viewer.
Press keys on the physical keyboard and watch the Keyboard Viewer. If macOS does not show a key being pressed, the key, connection, or keyboard hardware may be at fault.
Clean the Keyboard Safely
Dust, crumbs, and other debris can prevent individual keys from moving or registering.
Before cleaning:
- Shut down the Mac if possible.
- Disconnect a USB keyboard.
- Turn off and disconnect a wireless keyboard.
- Keep liquids away from all openings.
- Do not remove keycaps from a MacBook unless you are following an appropriate repair procedure.
Use a soft, dry, lint-free cloth for the surface. For debris around a key, use short, gentle bursts of compressed air while holding the keyboard at an angle. Follow the air can’s instructions and keep the nozzle at a safe distance.
Warning: Never spray cleaner, water, or compressed air directly into the keyboard. Do not use a hair dryer, vacuum with strong suction, sharp tools, or excessive force. These can push debris farther inside or damage the switches.
If a key remains stuck after careful cleaning, stop applying pressure and look for signs of hardware damage.
Test the Mac in Safe Mode
Safe Mode starts macOS with a limited set of software and performs additional checks. It can help identify whether a login item, extension, or other software is interfering with keyboard input.
The steps differ depending on whether your Mac has an Apple silicon chip or an Intel processor.
Apple silicon Mac
- Open the Apple menu and choose Shut Down.
- Wait until the Mac is completely off.
- Press and hold the power button until startup options appear.
- Select a startup volume.
- Press and hold the Shift key, then choose Continue in Safe Mode.
Intel-based Mac
- Open the Apple menu and choose Shut Down.
- Turn on the Mac.
- Immediately press and hold the Shift key.
- Release the key when the login window appears.
- Sign in.
You may need to sign in more than once. Safe Mode may look different from a normal startup.
Test the keyboard after starting in Safe Mode. If it works there but not during a normal startup, review recently installed keyboard utilities, input tools, login items, or other system software.
Warning: Safe Mode can change startup behavior temporarily and may take longer than a normal startup. Restart the Mac normally when you finish testing.
Check for Hardware Damage
A Mac keyboard may need repair when the problem follows an accident or affects specific keys repeatedly.
Common warning signs include:
- The keyboard stopped working after a liquid spill.
- Several keys in one area do not respond.
- A key is loose, cracked, or physically displaced.
- Keys repeat by themselves.
- The keyboard works intermittently when the Mac is moved.
- The trackpad is swollen, raised, or difficult to click.
- The Mac shows signs of impact damage.
- An external keyboard fails on multiple computers.
If liquid was spilled
- Disconnect the charger and accessories.
- Turn off the Mac if it is still on.
- Do not continue typing or repeatedly press keys.
- Do not use heat to dry it.
- Arrange professional service as soon as possible.
Warning: Liquid can continue damaging internal components even after the keyboard appears to dry. Do not turn the Mac back on simply to check whether it works.
If only one or two keys fail and there was no spill, careful cleaning may help. If the same keys continue to fail, a keyboard repair or replacement may be necessary.
Use an External Keyboard as a Temporary Workaround
An external keyboard can help you access your Mac while diagnosing a built-in keyboard problem.
- A USB keyboard is usually the simplest option because it does not require Bluetooth pairing.
- A Bluetooth keyboard can work if Bluetooth is enabled and the keyboard is charged.
- You can use the external keyboard to sign in, change settings, back up files, and test whether the issue is limited to the built-in keyboard.
If an external keyboard works normally while the built-in keyboard does not, the built-in keyboard or its internal connection may be damaged. If both keyboards fail, focus on macOS settings, startup software, or a broader hardware problem.
Troubleshooting
The MacBook keys are not responding, but the trackpad works
Restart the Mac, check Accessibility > Keyboard, and test an external keyboard. If the external keyboard works, inspect the built-in keyboard for debris or damage.
Only certain keys do not work
Clean around the affected keys carefully and check for liquid or impact damage. Use Keyboard Viewer to confirm whether macOS detects the key presses.
The keyboard types the wrong symbols
Check System Settings > Keyboard > Text Input > Edit and select the correct input source. The keyboard layout may have changed.
The keyboard works at login but stops after signing in
Start in Safe Mode and review login items or recently installed input and keyboard utilities. A background program may be interfering with keyboard input.
A Bluetooth keyboard is not listed
Charge the keyboard, turn Bluetooth off and on in System Settings > Bluetooth, and put the keyboard back into pairing mode. If necessary, use a USB keyboard temporarily.
A USB keyboard is not recognized
Connect it directly to the Mac, try another port, and remove the hub or adapter from the connection. Test a different keyboard or cable to identify the failed component.
The keyboard stopped working after a spill
Turn off the Mac, disconnect power, and seek professional service. Avoid testing it repeatedly or drying it with heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my Mac keyboard not working?
The most common causes include a low battery, failed Bluetooth or USB connection, incorrect accessibility settings, a changed keyboard layout, software interference, debris, or hardware damage.
How do I unlock a Mac when the keyboard is not working?
Connect a USB keyboard if possible. You can also use a previously paired Bluetooth keyboard, provided Bluetooth is active and the keyboard has power.
How do I reset a Mac keyboard?
For a Bluetooth keyboard, forget it in System Settings > Bluetooth, then pair it again. For a built-in keyboard, restart the Mac and test it in Safe Mode. There is no general physical reset button for a MacBook’s built-in keyboard.
Why do some MacBook keys work while others do not?
Individual keys can fail because of debris, a damaged key mechanism, liquid exposure, or an internal keyboard fault. Clean carefully, test with Keyboard Viewer, and arrange service if the problem continues.
Can I use my Mac without its built-in keyboard?
Yes. Connect an external USB or Bluetooth keyboard. This can provide temporary access while you troubleshoot or arrange a repair.
Should I remove a MacBook keycap to clean underneath it?
Avoid removing keycaps unless you have the correct instructions and tools for your specific keyboard. Key mechanisms can be fragile and difficult to reinstall correctly.
When should I contact Apple or a repair provider?
Seek service if the keyboard has liquid or impact damage, multiple keys fail, the trackpad is swollen, the problem persists with an external keyboard test, or the keyboard remains unreliable after software troubleshooting.
Final Thoughts
When a Mac keyboard is not working, begin with power and connection checks, then restart the Mac and review Accessibility and keyboard layout settings. Test in another app and in Safe Mode to separate software problems from hardware faults. Clean keys only with dry, gentle methods, and treat any liquid spill or physical damage as a reason to stop testing and seek professional service.