MacBook Keyboard Not Working? 10 Quick Fixes

Quick Fix

Try an SMC reset: Shut down your MacBook, then press and hold Shift + Control + Option (left side) and the power button for 10 seconds. Release all keys and turn on normally. This often resolves keyboard issues caused by system glitches.

Understanding MacBook Keyboard Problems

MacBook keyboard issues range from individual keys not working to the entire keyboard being unresponsive. The butterfly keyboards on 2015-2019 MacBooks were particularly prone to problems from dust and debris, while newer Magic Keyboards are more reliable.

Causes include dust under keys, software glitches, accessibility settings accidentally enabled, or hardware failure. Water damage, even small spills, can cause keyboard issues that appear days or weeks later.

Before assuming hardware failure, try these software fixes – many keyboard problems have simple solutions.

Method 1: Check for Debris Under Keys

1. Shut down your MacBook
2. Hold it at a 75-degree angle (almost vertical)
3. Use compressed air to spray between the keys
4. Spray in a left-to-right motion across the keyboard
5. Rotate the MacBook and repeat on all sides
6. Turn on and test the keyboard
7. Repeat if needed – debris can be stubborn

Method 2: Reset SMC

For MacBooks with T2 chip (2018-2020 Intel):

1. Shut down your MacBook
2. Press and hold Control + Option + Shift (left side) for 7 seconds
3. While holding, also press the power button
4. Hold all four keys for 7 more seconds
5. Release all keys, wait a few seconds
6. Press power button to turn on

For older MacBooks:

1. Shut down completely
2. Press Shift + Control + Option + power button for 10 seconds
3. Release all keys and power on

Method 3: Check Accessibility Settings

1. Click Apple menu > System Settings
2. Click Accessibility
3. Click Keyboard in the sidebar
4. Ensure Slow Keys is turned off
5. Check that Sticky Keys is configured correctly
6. Click Pointer Control and disable Mouse Keys if on
7. These settings can make the keyboard seem unresponsive

Method 4: Delete Keyboard Preferences

1. Open Finder
2. Press Command + Shift + G
3. Type ~/Library/Preferences and press Enter
4. Find com.apple.keyboardtype.plist
5. Move it to Trash
6. Restart your MacBook
7. macOS will recreate the file with defaults

Method 5: Boot in Safe Mode

1. Shut down your MacBook
2. Turn on and immediately hold the Shift key
3. Release when you see the login window
4. Test the keyboard in Safe Mode
5. If it works, a third-party app may be the cause
6. Restart normally and uninstall recent apps
7. Keyboard customization apps are common culprits

Method 6: Create a New User Account

1. Go to System Settings > Users & Groups
2. Click the + to add a new user
3. Create an admin account for testing
4. Log out and log into the new account
5. Test the keyboard
6. If it works, your main account has corrupted settings
7. Consider migrating to the new account

Method 7: Update macOS

1. Click Apple menu > System Settings
2. Click General > Software Update
3. If an update is available, click Update Now
4. Apple sometimes fixes keyboard bugs in updates
5. Restart after updating
6. Test the keyboard again

Method 8: Reset NVRAM

1. Shut down your MacBook
2. Turn on and immediately press Option + Command + P + R
3. Hold for about 20 seconds
4. Release and let Mac boot normally
5. NVRAM stores keyboard settings among other things
6. You may need to reconfigure keyboard preferences
7. Test the keyboard after boot

Preventing Future Keyboard Issues

• Keep food and drinks away from your MacBook
• Use compressed air monthly to prevent dust buildup
• Consider a keyboard cover for dusty environments
• Don’t press keys harder when they feel stuck
• If you have a butterfly keyboard MacBook, Apple may repair it free

FAQ

Why do only some keys not work?

Individual key failures often indicate debris under that specific key or a failing key mechanism. Try compressed air focused on that key. For butterfly keyboards, Apple has a free repair program for keyboards exhibiting this issue.

Can I use an external keyboard while fixing this?

Yes, any USB or Bluetooth keyboard will work with your MacBook. This is a good workaround while troubleshooting and confirms whether the issue is with the built-in keyboard specifically.

My keyboard works but types wrong characters. Why?

This usually means the wrong keyboard layout is selected. Check System Settings > Keyboard > Input Sources. Make sure your language/region keyboard layout is selected and set as default.

Is my butterfly keyboard covered by Apple’s repair program?

MacBooks from 2015-2019 with butterfly keyboards are covered under Apple’s Keyboard Service Program. Check Apple’s website with your serial number to confirm eligibility. The program covers keyboards for 4 years from purchase.

Can water damage cause delayed keyboard problems?

Yes, even small liquid spills can cause corrosion that affects the keyboard days or weeks later. If you spilled anything, even if it seemed fine initially, that could be the cause. Water damage typically requires professional repair.

Do Apple Silicon Macs have SMC to reset?

No, M1/M2/M3 Macs don’t have a traditional SMC. For these Macs, a regular restart or shutting down and leaving off for 30 seconds accomplishes similar results. Try that instead of SMC reset steps.