Description Replace a torn or damaged cable that connects the trackpad to the logic board in your Mid 2013 to 2017 13' MacBook Air. This cable carries input from other upper case components as well, so a damaged trackpad cable may affect the functions of the keyboard and power button. Although it looks the same, the cable the Mac uses for its keyboard is not a standard telephone handset cable. In the phone cable, some of the wires cross between the plugs whereas in the Mac's cable they are straight plug-to-plug connections.
A Mac keyboard with mechanical switches Azio Mk-Mac Wired USB Backlit Keyboard with Brown K-Switch. Have you ever heard of a mechanical keyboard for the Apple Mac? If you haven’t, this Azio MK-Mac keyboard should put you on track. Mechanical key switches are popular among gamers and typists in the world of Windows computers.
This article explains how you can fix when your Apple USB keyboard isn’t working as expected. If you see an error message, your keyboard keys suddenly stop working, your Mac is no longer recognizing your USB keyboard and you can’t figure out why; this article will help you fix your problem.
This is a quick and easy how-to video on how to fix your MacBook Air broken trackpad and keyboard. In this video, we show you how to replace your trackpad Fl. The earliest Macs with their all-in-one design used a simple coiled keyboard cable similar to what telephones used to use – and the perfect length for use on the desktop. But in 1987, we got the Mac II, a powerhouse computer that could sit on your desk or be set vertically on the floor beneath it. Suddenly 6′ keyboard cables became popular!
This is an important problem because you will not be able to use your Mac without a keyboard. Your keyboard is the main mode of input.
See also: Keyboard double space problem.
USB Keyboard fixes:
After each step please test to see if your keyboard is working:
1. Restart your Mac. It is simple but effective. Restarting your Mac may fix your issue. To restart your Mac, click the Apple menu > Restart.
2. Check your keyboard batteries if applicable. Some USB keyboards have batteries. Open the battery part of the keyboard and check to see if the batteries are placed correctly. Also, try replacing the batteries.
3. Check the USB connections. It is possible that your Keyboard is not properly connected to your computer. Try the following tips:
- Switch the keyboard’s cable to another USB port on the same Mac, if possible.
- Unplug your keyboard and replug it into your Mac firmly and securely.
- Ensure that there is not anything (debris, dirt, etc) obstructing the connection in the USB port. If there is, try to remove it.
- Disconnect all connected devices from your Mac. These can be a mouse, keyboard, printer, etc. Now reconnect your keyboard and mouse back into your computer. If you can use your Keyboard now the problem may be with one of the other devices. What you can do is to try replugging them one by one until you find the device that is causing the problem.
4. Reset the SMC of your Mac. Your USB port may be having a power-related problem and resetting the system management controller (SMC) can fix your problem with your keyboard.
- It is highly likely that this is a desktop computer. If it is, resetting the SMC is very simple. Follow the steps below:
- Shut down your Mac by choosing Shut Down from the Apple menu.
- Unplug it from the power outlet.
- Wait about 15 seconds.
- Now replug it into the power outlet.
- Wait another 5 seconds.
- Now start up your Mac by pressing the power button.
- If this is a Mac Notebook, the steps are a little different. We previously wrote about this topic. Please see that article on how you can reset the SMC.
5. Reset NVRAM or PRAM on your Mac. This is really easy. Here is how:
- Turn off your Mac.
- Turn on your Mac and quickly press Option, Command, P, and R keys together.
- Keep holding the keys for about 20 seconds.
- Then release the keys. Your Mac will restart.
6. Update your Mac. Update the software on your Mac. Here is how:
- If your current macOS version is Mojave or later (e.g., Catalina): On your Mac, go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Software Update. This will check for updates. If there is an update available, click the Update Now button.
- Other macOS versions: Launch the App Store on your Mac and click Updates.
Cable Keyboard For Mac
7. Boot into Safe Mode. Restart your Mac in Safe Mode. Here is how:
- Turn off your Mac.
- Turn on your Mac and quickly press and hold the Shift key.
- Keep holding the Shift key until you see the login screen. Safe Mode can take up to 10 minutes so be patient.
- When your computer is in Safe Mode, test your keyboard, is it working now?
- In any case, restart your Mac normally. Do not press the Shift key.
- When your computer restarts, test your keyboard again. Did Safe Mode fix it?
8. Delete preference files. Your preference file may be corrupt and deleting it may resolve your issue. Here is how:
- Open the Library folder. You can open this folder by following the steps below:
- On your Mac, click the Finder icon in the Dock.
- In the Finder, click Go.
- Hold down the Option key and you will see the Library folder in the Go dropdown menu. Click it to open.
- Click Preferences.
- Find the “com.apple.HIToolbox.plist” file. This is the Human Interface Toolbox settings file. The file stores keyboard default settings.
- Delete this file.
- Restart your Mac.
- Does your keyboard work now?
If you are still unable to use your USB keyboard, you may want to contact its manufacturer for support.
Usb Extension Cable For Mac Keyboard
Apple Magic Mouse 2, Magic Keyboard, Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad, and Magic Trackpad 2 work wirelessly with your Mac via Bluetooth when they're paired and turned on.
If your devices came with a new iMac, they're already paired with the computer. Just turn them on when you first turn on your Mac. To make sure that your device is turned on, check its power switch. If green is visible, the device is on.
If you bought your devices separately — or if they've become unpaired from your Mac — follow the steps below to pair them.
How to set up current Apple wireless devices
Follow these steps to set up your Magic Mouse 2, Magic Keyboard, Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad, or Magic Trackpad 2:
- Connect a Lightning to USB Cable1 or a USB-C to Lightning Cable to the Lightning port on the device2 and connect the other end of the cable to your Mac.
- Make sure that the device's power switch is in the ON position. (Green is visible under the switch when the device is on.)
- Choose Apple () menu > System Preferences, then click Bluetooth to open the Bluetooth preferences window. When the device pairs with your Mac, it appears in the list of devices.
- Check the Bluetooth preferences window to see your device's charge level. When the device is charged, unplug it for wireless use.
1. If your Bluetooth device came with an iMac, a Lightning to USB cable was also included in the box.
2. Magic Mouse 2 can't be used while connected to the cable.
2. Magic Mouse 2 can't be used while connected to the cable.
How to set up earlier Apple wireless devices
If you're not sure which device you have, you can learn how to identify your Apple wireless mouse, keyboard, or trackpad.
Keyboard For Mac Desktop
Then use a wired mouse or trackpad — or the built-in trackpad if you're using a Mac notebook — and follow these steps to set up your earlier Apple wireless devices (such as the Apple Wireless Keyboard, Magic Mouse, and Magic Trackpad):
- Turn on your device.
- Wait until your device's LED starts blinking, which means that it's in Discoverable Mode. (If the LED is on but not blinking, your device is already paired with another host. To unpair it, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Bluetooth. Hover the pointer over the device you want to remove, then click the button that appears next to the device's name. Turn the device off, then start again at step 1.)
- Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Bluetooth.
- Wait while your Mac searches for your device. When your device appears in Bluetooth preferences, click Pair1.
1. Apple Wireless Keyboard requires the passcode that appears on your Mac. Enter the 8-digit passcode on the keyboard, then press Return. Earlier models of Apple Wireless Mouse or Apple Magic Trackpad will connect automatically or show a dialog. If you see a dialog, click Pair or press Return.