ernesto18

Q: Apple USB keyboard does not work

I have the same problem as described by Sweboss on November 15th, 2012. The Apple USB keyboard is working perfectly, but if I shut down the computer, when I switch it on again, the USB keyboard does not respond, and the computer is looking for a Bluetooth keyboard (which I had before). I have tried switching off, unplugging all peripherals, then unplugging the computer, waiting 15 seconds, then plug it in, wait 5 seconds (this is a remedy proposed in other mails). Switch on and the USB keyboard does not respond. It is not that particular USB port, as it works perfectly well with other peripherals like my scanner, or printer, and changing ports does not help. And when I tried it last time, I had no other USB peripherals connected. Can anyone help?

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.5)

Posted on Mar 20, 2013 3:31 AM

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Q: Apple USB keyboard does not work

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  • by Aarpratt,

    Aarpratt Aarpratt Mar 21, 2013 12:13 PM in response to ernesto18
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    Mar 21, 2013 12:13 PM in response to ernesto18

    Oddly enough I had a similar result.  I took a break from trying to fix the problem for about 4 hours.  When I returned to my iMac after that time I plugged the keyboard back in and it worked.  I didn't restart or anything.  Very strange!

  • by JoeScafone,

    JoeScafone JoeScafone Jun 18, 2013 6:19 AM in response to Aarpratt
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 18, 2013 6:19 AM in response to Aarpratt

    I am having the same issues with the Apple USB keyboard.  Having to use Bluetooth now.     USB Key has been working intermittently over the last few days.     Goes to sleep within a minute (vs the setting I have set up after 15).     Sometimes the keyboard will work, sometimes it won't

     

    I've connected the Apple USB Key to another computer, it works fine.   I've connected the USB mouse and a non-Apple keyboard to iMac and it works okay.

     

    Something is up with Apple's keyboard and software??? 

     

    Any help here would be greatly appreciated if someone has figured out a fix. 

     

    Thanks

  • by Anoukvh,

    Anoukvh Anoukvh Oct 24, 2013 11:52 AM in response to ernesto18
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 24, 2013 11:52 AM in response to ernesto18

    Hello Ernesto,

    I have the exact same problem as you posted here last March. The problem keeps occuring, nothing helps (switching off, unplugging, reboothing etc). he keyboard itself works fine and the usb ports are ok as well. Sometimes it all of a sudden starts working again after a few hours (what a mystery), but i cannot rely on this to happen.

    Have you had the same problem since then? And if so, what was the solution to the problem?

  • by caribooderek,

    caribooderek caribooderek Nov 3, 2013 5:05 AM in response to ernesto18
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 3, 2013 5:05 AM in response to ernesto18

    I have this problem too. 

     

    We experience fairly frequent power outages where I live (one every month or so).  I've learned to dread them, because my USB keyboard stops being seen by the iMac when it starts up again. 

     

    I have tried all sorts of remedies:  use different usb port, power down for anything from a few seconds to many minutes, remove all other usb connected devices.  I've kept trying and trying, until, sometimes after dozens of attempts, the keyboard connects.  The successful combination is entirely random, and I may have tried it before but without success. 

     

    I sure wish I knew what was going on so I could eliminate the frustration.  No one seems to have identified the actual cause let alone a surefire remedy.

  • by baltwo,

    baltwo baltwo Nov 3, 2013 3:05 PM in response to caribooderek
    Level 9 (62,256 points)
    Nov 3, 2013 3:05 PM in response to caribooderek

    Get an APC power protector and eliminate those outages. Alternatively, when the keybaord fails, Reset the NVRAM/PRAM and Reset the SMC, then try again.

  • by ernesto18,

    ernesto18 ernesto18 Nov 5, 2013 7:41 AM in response to Anoukvh
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 5, 2013 7:41 AM in response to Anoukvh

    To caribooderek

    The problem keeps occurring everytime I switch the computer off, as before: when I switch it on again, the keyboard is not working. I now unplug the USB cable fron the computer, and leave for a while (it could be hours). Then I plug it again, and it works (I may have to repeat this waste of time several times, until it decides to work). Maybe the capacitances mentioned in a previous answer to my original question may be to blame, but I have no way of sorting the problem quickly. While the USB keyboard does not work, I use the Bluetooth one that came originally with the Mac.

    You wrote: "I sure wish I knew what was going on so I could eliminate the frustration.  No one seems to have identified the actual cause let alone a surefire remedy". I agree with those sentiments!

  • by caribooderek,

    caribooderek caribooderek Nov 5, 2013 11:30 AM in response to ernesto18
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 5, 2013 11:30 AM in response to ernesto18

    Oddly enough we tried another suggestion, to put use a usb extender cable.  Extensive testing and some more power outages (caused by snow laden trees falling on power lines) has so far shown that solution to work.  Give it a try and see if it works for you.

  • by sh00ky,

    sh00ky sh00ky Dec 4, 2013 1:01 AM in response to Ralph Landry1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 4, 2013 1:01 AM in response to Ralph Landry1

    Ralph Landry1,

     

    I too have been encountering the same exact problems as listed throughout this thread. The only thing I never tried was the disconnecting and pressing keys. I threw up a prayer, disconnected my keyboard, and started pressing all of the buttons for a minute or two (think of a kid running his fingers up and down the piano!). I plugged it in and, lo and behold, it worked was recopgnized immediately! This occured while still being logged in on my desktop. This did not involve a restart or putting the computer to sleep. I have yet to give it a second go as my keyboard is still functioning, but this solution has me pretty optomistic!

     

    Thanks!

  • by Ralph Landry1,

    Ralph Landry1 Dec 4, 2013 6:19 AM in response to sh00ky
    Level 8 (41,782 points)
    Dec 4, 2013 6:19 AM in response to sh00ky

    You are welcome, glad it helped you.

  • by lisafromdenmark,

    lisafromdenmark lisafromdenmark Dec 12, 2013 6:37 AM in response to ernesto18
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 12, 2013 6:37 AM in response to ernesto18

    I Have the same problem. I'm working on a iMac with a USB keyboard. Several times a week my keyboard suddenly stops working. I then have to switch to another keyboard just like it. It then works for some time, until the same thing happens again..

    If I try to switch back to the first keyboard it doesn't work right away. Sometimes it works again after 1 hour and other times I have to wait till the next day. It is really strange. And it has to be unplugged or it won't start working again.

    Just now I experienced that only some of the keys stopped working. Then I switched to the other keyboard and everything worked again.

    It is really annoying!

    Are Apple trying to solve this problem. My company had to buy me a new keyboard because of this, because we thought it was broken!

  • by seventy one,

    seventy one seventy one Dec 12, 2013 6:49 AM in response to lisafromdenmark
    Level 6 (15,185 points)
    Peripherals
    Dec 12, 2013 6:49 AM in response to lisafromdenmark

    Hello lisa,

     

    Two things that may help us and you.   Please fill in details of your computer, its OS version and its version number.  Then enter it into your profile.

     

    Then I would be inclined to transfer this to the Peripherals column where it will be seen as a new ask.   Me too posts don't always get the attention they merit.

     

    Bet someone proves me wrong now.

  • by fabesdou,

    fabesdou fabesdou Dec 21, 2013 10:20 AM in response to seventy one
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 21, 2013 10:20 AM in response to seventy one

    folks i have the same issue...any solution found ?

  • by seventy one,

    seventy one seventy one Dec 21, 2013 11:01 AM in response to fabesdou
    Level 6 (15,185 points)
    Peripherals
    Dec 21, 2013 11:01 AM in response to fabesdou

    If you have read the thread and not found an answer, you should start a new thread and set out your problem precisely.

  • by fabesdou,

    fabesdou fabesdou Dec 21, 2013 12:41 PM in response to seventy one
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 21, 2013 12:41 PM in response to seventy one

    i think the problem is clear to everyone: USB keyboard disconnects randomly and reconnects randomly as well, with apparently no known fix yet ? will Apple do something on their hardware non compatibilities ? a shame that apple usb keyboard does not work with iMac ....

  • by baltwo,

    baltwo baltwo Dec 21, 2013 12:55 PM in response to fabesdou
    Level 9 (62,256 points)
    Dec 21, 2013 12:55 PM in response to fabesdou

    a shame that apple usb keyboard does not work with iMac ....

    The USB keyboards work here with late '09 and mid '11 iMacs. You have an unique issue, so hie thee to an Apple repair station and let them deal wtih it.

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