There’s nothing that brings productivity to a screeching halt quite like a MacBook keyboard not working. One minute you’re typing away, and the next, certain keys are unresponsive, you’re getting repeated characters, or the whole keyboard is just… dead.
It’s a frustrating keyboard problem, for sure. But before you panic and schedule a trip to the Apple Store, you should know that many keyboard issues can be resolved right from your desk with some simple troubleshooting.
We’re going to walk through the most common reasons your Mac keyboard might be acting up and provide a simple fix for each. From software glitches that a restart can solve to hidden debris that a can of compressed air can blast away, we’ll cover everything from resetting the SMC and NVRAM to checking your keyboard settings.
This guide is designed to help resolve even the peskiest MacBook keyboard troubles.
01
of 11Quick Fix Comparison
| Fix | Best For | Difficulty | Time to Complete |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restart Your Mac | Minor software glitches, temporary unresponsiveness. | Easy | 2 minutes |
| Clean the Keyboard | Sticky or non-responsive keys due to debris. | Easy | 5-10 minutes |
| Reset SMC | Power, battery, and fan issues affecting the keyboard. | Medium | 5 minutes |
| Reset NVRAM/PRAM | Strange keyboard behavior, incorrect settings. | Medium | 5 minutes |
| Check Settings | Keys typing wrong characters, slow response. | Easy | 3 minutes |
| Contact Apple Support | Persistent hardware issues, liquid damage. | Varies | Varies |
02
of 11Start with the Basics: Simple Fixes for Your MacBook Keyboard
Before we dive into the more complex solutions, let’s get the easiest ones out of the way. You’d be surprised how often a simple restart can fix a MacBook keyboard that isn’t working.
A quick reboot can clear out temporary software glitches that might be causing your keyboard and trackpad to act up.
If restarting your Mac doesn’t do the trick, think about any recent changes you’ve made. Have you installed any new apps? Sometimes, third-party software can interfere with the normal hardware functions on your MacBook, including the keyboard.
Try uninstalling any recently added applications to see if that fixes the issue. Also, make sure your macOS is up to date, as Apple often releases updates that help resolve known bugs and compatibility problems.
03
of 11Is It Just Dirty? How to Properly Clean Your Keyboard
It sounds almost too simple, but one of the most common culprits behind a MacBook keyboard not working is plain old dust and debris. Crumbs, hair, and dust particles can easily get lodged under the keys, especially with the older butterfly keyboard design, causing them to stick or stop responding altogether.
To clean the keyboard properly, you need a can of compressed air.
When I first get my hands on a MacBook Pro with a reported faulty keyboard, the very first thing I do is give it a thorough cleaning. It’s become my go-to initial diagnostic step.
When I picked up this test unit, the spacebar was completely unresponsive. So, I grabbed my trusty can of compressed air, turned off the Mac, and held it at a 75-degree angle.
In my field test, I sprayed short bursts of air across the keyboard in a zig-zag pattern, making sure to rotate the laptop and hit the keys from every side. The result was a small cloud of dust and, more importantly, a perfectly functional spacebar.
It’s a prime example of how you can fix the issue without needing a complicated keyboard replacement.
04
of 11Dive into Software: Resetting Your Mac’s Settings
If cleaning didn’t work and your keyboard still not working, the problem likely lies within the software or firmware that controls your Mac’s hardware. Two of the most effective ways to fix keyboard problems related to software are resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) and the Non-Volatile Random-Access Memory (NVRAM).
These resets can sound intimidating, but they are standard troubleshooting procedures for many Mac issues. The SMC is responsible for a lot of low-level hardware functions on your MacBook, including the power button, battery management, and, you guessed it, the internal keyboard.
Resetting it can often resolve keyboard issues that don’t seem to have any other cause.
05
of 11Reset the SMC (System Management Controller)
To reset the SMC on a MacBook with an Apple silicon chip, you simply need to restart your Mac. For Intel-based MacBooks, the process is a bit different.
You’ll need to shut down your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro, then press and hold the Shift, Control, and Option key on the left side of the built-in keyboard, and then press and hold the power button at the same time.
Hold all these keys for about 10 seconds, then release them. After you release the keys, press the power button again to turn your Mac on.
This procedure will reset the system management controller and can often bring a non-responsive keyboard back to life.
06
of 11Zap the NVRAM/PRAM
NVRAM (or PRAM on older Macs) is a small amount of memory your Mac uses to store certain settings for quick access, including screen resolution, time zone, and, crucially, keyboard settings.
If your keyboard isn’t responding or the keyboard inputs do not match what you see on screen, a corrupted NVRAM setting could be the cause.
To reset the NVRAM, shut down your Mac. Turn it on and immediately press and hold four keys to perform the reset: Option, Command, P, and R.
Keep holding the keys for about 20 seconds, during which your Mac might appear to restart. You can release the keys when you hear the second startup chime, or when the Apple logo appears and disappears for the second time.
07
of 11Check Your Keyboard Settings and Accessibility Options
Sometimes, the fix for your MacBook keyboard is hiding in plain sight within your System Settings. macOS has several accessibility features that can change how the keyboard behaves, and if one of them is turned on by accident, it can seem like your keyboard is not working correctly.
This is a common issue, especially if you find your keyboard not typing or if there’s a significant delay between pressing a key and seeing the character appear.
Before you assume a major hardware issue, a quick trip to your keyboard settings is definitely in order. It’s a simple fix that can save you a lot of headaches.
08
of 11Disabling Mouse Keys and Slow Keys
Two features to check are Mouse Keys and Slow Keys. Mouse Keys lets you control the pointer with the numeric keypad, which can disable some keys for normal typing.
Slow Keys introduces a delay between when a key is pressed and when it is accepted, which might make you think your keys not working.
You can find both of these options in System Settings under Accessibility, then Keyboard. Make sure both Mouse Keys and Slow Keys are turned off.
This slow keys change can often immediately help resolve the problem if your keyboard would feel laggy or unresponsive.
09
of 11Checking Your Keyboard Layout
Another potential issue is an incorrect keyboard layout. If you press a key and a different character appears on the screen, you might have accidentally switched your keyboard’s input source.
This can happen with certain keyboard shortcuts.
To fix this, go to System Settings > Keyboard, and click the “Edit” button next to Input Sources. Here, you can see which layouts are active and remove any you don’t use.
Ensuring the correct keyboard layout is selected can instantly fix the problem if your keyboard inputs do not match.
10
of 11Advanced Troubleshooting: Safe Mode and Hardware Checks
If you’ve tried all the software fixes and your Mac keyboard is still not working, it’s time to determine if you’re dealing with a deeper software conflict or a genuine hardware issue.
A great way to do this is by starting your Mac in Safe Mode. Safe Mode starts your macOS with a minimal set of drivers and prevents login items from running, which can help you isolate the problem.
To enter Safe Mode, shut down your Mac. Then, turn it on and immediately press and hold the Shift key until you see the login window.
If your keyboard works in Safe Mode, it strongly suggests that a third-party application or a startup item is the cause of your keyboard problem.
If the keyboard in safe mode still doesn’t work, the next step is to run Apple Diagnostics. This built-in tool will check your MacBook for hardware issues, including problems with the internal keyboard or the keyboard cable.
To start Diagnostics, shut down your Mac, then turn it on and hold down the D key until you see the diagnostics screen. This can help confirm if you have a faulty MacBook keyboard.
11
of 11When to Call in the Pros: Keyboard Replacement and Apple Support
There comes a point where DIY troubleshooting reaches its limit. If you’ve tried everything—cleaning, resets, Safe Mode—and your MacBook keyboard is still stubbornly refusing to work, it’s likely time to seek professional help.
This is especially true if you suspect liquid damage or if your device is one of the models known for butterfly keyboard failures.
While it’s tempting to try and fix a hardware issue yourself, a MacBook is a complex piece of equipment, and you could cause more damage.
In these cases, your best bet is to contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store or an authorized service provider. They have the tools and expertise to diagnose the problem accurately and perform a keyboard replacement if necessary.
A faulty keyboard is a serious issue, but it’s one that can be fixed.
