Q: Keys stopped working on iMac Apple Wireless Keyboard
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May 13, 2014 11:39 AMby sudo make username,I have the same issue, iMac 2009, wireless keyboard, bckspace - Capslock - spacebar - dwn arrow, all stopped.
I'm sure however that it is not Mavericks related because i'm fortunate enough to be on snow leopard still.
I am also not to supprised that the issues are similar for lots of people. Think about it; what are frequently used keys? How are circuits layed out in all those keyboards? All simular hence the simularity in disfunctionality.
My guess is that a defective keyboard is the problem in all cases (mine included) It has been functional for 5 years and now it starts to deteriorate. An expectable and exeptable life span in nowadays consumption society i think. I don't agree, **** no! but i'm afraid its just how it is.
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May 17, 2014 11:22 AMby Cruciarius,Went to bed last night with my keyboard functioning just fine. Got up to the left-side command key, z, d, c, v, & b keys all not working. Ran software update, which updated iTunes & the OS (Mavericks). Didn't fix the keys. Ran disk utility & still not working.
I see nobody mentioning a fix for this issue. Do I need to buy a new keyboard?
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May 17, 2014 2:02 PMby LocoDJ,Unless you are willing to get a new Mac, the newest wired keyboard from Apple (flat and sleek, but with numeric keypad) is the best way to go for this odd keyboard malfunction. You can also get any other keyboard that is wired and USB, but if you liked the wireless keyboard, just get the wired one and be happy.
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May 17, 2014 3:14 PMby Cruciarius,The wired one takes up too much of a footprint with wasted keys. My old full-sized keyboard literally had dust on everything right of the return key.
I have a small room, with a small desk. A full-sized keyboard isn't really an option. As is, I have my mouse cord going over the top of my old full-sized keyboard. Makes moving the mouse around annoying.
Anyone have any experience with the Logitech easy-switch keyboard? It's wireless with a wired recharge. Plus it's the size of the wireless Apple keyboard. Only wondering if it has any reported problems or if only Apple brand Bluetooth keyboards have the issue.
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May 21, 2014 1:03 PMby Cruciarius,I did end up ordering a new Apple BT keyboard. Cheaper than the Logitech one I was looking at before. Actually arrived today (2 days before it said it'd arrive). I'm just wondering for those who replaced an Apple BT keyboard with another, how long do you expect the new one to last? This new one is the same model as the old one.
Swear this new one has a delay in the typing. The one that died on me, although same model number, had no delay in typing. This is gonna be a problem with games...
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Jun 13, 2014 6:51 AMby thamesweb,My problem is identical but not with a Bluetooth keyboard, just a standard MacBook Pro.
Problems with 'g' were very intermittent so wasted my time cleaning key innards. Then later, a s f g keys played up, and still are. Rebooting as 'guest' proves keyboard is working fine and adjusting 'key repeat' has an effect of sorts. Right now letters available by jus t holding key down for 4-5 second s. I would love to reinstall Keyboard System Preferences but apparently not an option...
Keyboard must be listening! Some letter now readily availble such as 'a', but 'd' is AWOL.
REAL PAIN APPLE!!! Where is your response to this problem??????
Ah, now pointer is jumping up two lines... Hells bells!!!
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Jun 13, 2014 7:34 AMby LocoDJ,I see you are running OSX 10.7.4. Is there anyway you can go back to 10.6.8? I only had trouble after I updated my iMac past 10.6.8. My old MacBook 13 inch is still on 10.6.8 and works like a charm. I won't update it until Apple addresses this issue properly. As far as overcoming the missing letter problem, a wired keyboard seems to be the only answer at this time. The wired Apple keyboard also seems to be the best choice.
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Jun 13, 2014 12:08 PMby thamesweb,Thanks for suggestion. The quick answer is that reverting to a previous system is not really on the cards, not least 'cos I haven't the faintest idea where the DVDs are! The other reason is that I just *know* that I will break other things if I do! Installing Maverick has broken a couple of things already.
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Jul 7, 2014 5:01 AMby quitecavalier,Today at the office, we have been having similar problems. One of our designer's bluetooth keyboard simply decided it wasn't going to work anymore, with the spacebar, arrow keys and several of the top row letters ceasing to work.
Luckily we have a plethora of macs around to test it, so after inserting fresh batteries it was tested on:
Mac Pro running 10.8
Macbook Pro running 10.9
iMac 2014 running 10.7
iMac 2007 running 10.6
iPad 2
All with the same results. This would suggest it is a hardware error, due to our being able to replicate the exact same problem over various editions of OSX as well as iOS. The keyboard has never been moved or throw into a backpack, and is relatively new (came with an iMac purchased last year).
VERY strange indeed, I'm going to hazard a guess that there was a problem batch somewhere down the production line...
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Jul 23, 2014 7:50 AMby j_dewanjee,I wonder if any of you have put physical pressure on your keyboard by accident. Some of the buttons stopped working the same way. I happened to note that the keyboard was not lying on the desk properly, so I tried bending the keyboard. Surprisingly, the non responsive buttons started working, until it went bad again in a few months.
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Mar 30, 2015 7:06 AMby Abylkassym,I had the same problem backspace - Capslock - spacebar - down arrow, randomly stopped working.
As one of the comments suggested: long press FN key helped to restore the functionality. (long ~= 20 seconds);
This helped for awhile, but problem reappeared. FN key trick now worked 3 times so far. I am going to change the keyboards eventually, but for now it is a good remedy.
