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Q: external mac keyboard not working with maverick on macbook air

I installed Mavericks 10.9 on a mid-2013 macbook air. The Apple external keyboard is no longer working from either usb port (external usb mouse does work, however, as does external firewire display). Reset PRAM and SMC to no effect.  External keyboard and external monitor (firewire) were connected at time of installing 10.9 (no idea if this interferred with the setup). Any suggestions on how to resolve appreciated.

MacBook Air, OS X Mavericks (10.9)

Posted on Oct 23, 2013 6:44 AM

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Q: external mac keyboard not working with maverick on macbook air

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  • by John Vargo,

    John Vargo John Vargo Nov 22, 2014 4:45 PM in response to nrorg
    Level 2 (235 points)
    Nov 22, 2014 4:45 PM in response to nrorg

    Same problem here. Extension cable trick also works for me.

     

    Mid 2010 iMac 21.5"

     

    Hope Apple is paying attention to this issue, its obviously widespread.

  • by KlixDK,

    KlixDK KlixDK Nov 23, 2014 1:08 AM in response to d18ge
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 23, 2014 1:08 AM in response to d18ge

    Hi

     

    Solve the problem – Your power cord must be connected to a socket with Earth (Protection Earth typical marked PE).  

     

    I read a lead where a guy said that static electricity build-up (in you) can trigger the macbook's internal USB controller, because it can sense the transient voltage spike as an over-current condition and will therefore shut down (suspended) the offending devices on the associated port.

     

    I have had this problem for a long time without solving it, besides unplugging a million times. But reading the thing about static electricity... rang a bell for me "EARTH Connection" I was only connected with 2 pin connector (Phase and Zero) I was running without protection Earth. I replaced my power cord with a 3-pin cable (Phase, Zero and PE) and connected that to a 3-pin socket. It worked right away. Why because PE eliminates static electricity besides being a protection against hazard electrical chock.

  • by John Vargo,

    John Vargo John Vargo Nov 23, 2014 5:59 AM in response to KlixDK
    Level 2 (235 points)
    Nov 23, 2014 5:59 AM in response to KlixDK

    Well I'm on an iMac and it only has a 3-prong power cable, and I'm connected to a properly grounded outlet, so that's not the problem.

  • by TheBrightSkys,

    TheBrightSkys TheBrightSkys Nov 29, 2014 3:08 PM in response to nrorg
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    Nov 29, 2014 3:08 PM in response to nrorg

    I am having this same problem. With my 2009 Mac Air and the last OS update. The only thing that seems to work is the power button. USB, Keyboard and trackpad all dead. Help!

  • by RufTheD,

    RufTheD RufTheD Dec 1, 2014 2:36 AM in response to nrorg
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 1, 2014 2:36 AM in response to nrorg

    Can also add myself to the list. It works with the extension cord, but not directly... Don't know why, but I seriously need an answer! Getting pretty frustrated!

  • by swhansen,

    swhansen swhansen Dec 5, 2014 10:21 AM in response to Krosfyah
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 5, 2014 10:21 AM in response to Krosfyah

    Folks,

     

    Just to pile on. New maxed out Air. Came w/ Mav. and uped to Yosemite. Wired keyboard will not work consistently with USB3 powered hub over the long haul. It will work fine going through an old "dumb" splitter I got as swag at a conf. years back. I think I have tried all the tricks here. Plugging it into another mac, extension cable, PRAM and SMC reset, etc. but it will only work consistently when connected directly to the laptop and not through the powered USB3. Been on the phone and the genius bar twice. Last time they swapped out the keyboard for a new one. Problem returned.

     

    It has worked for a day or two on the powered hub then dies. I have been through multiple hubs including the house brand from BestBuy and currently a well reviewed Anker powered 7 port. Everything else works on the hub. Passport drive, usb for Android phone, Ipod., USB powered small speaker, etc.

     

    One interesting side note. When it does work, System Information shows the keyboard on the Hi speed Bus NOT coming through the HUB hub where it is plugged in.

     

    Wish this was all reproducable but it is completely random.

  • by Hoover411,

    Hoover411 Hoover411 Dec 7, 2014 1:55 PM in response to nrorg
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 7, 2014 1:55 PM in response to nrorg

    More of the same. I figure it can only help get Apple's attention if this thread gets longer.

     

    mid-2010 21.5" iMac, Yosemite 10.10.1.  Using a 11 month-old Apple USB extended keyboard.

     

    About 2 weeks ago, after restart, the Apple USB extended keyboard couldn't be recognized. Didn't work in any USB port on my iMac, but did work in my wife's MBP.  Other USB peripherals recognized fine in my iMac. Tried PRAM and SMC resets. Eventually, I got it to recognize in my iMac, but I think it was just random after a few resets. Continued to work fine as long as I didn't restart my Mac. Today, after an unavoidable restart, no luck regardless of the resets. Came here and found this thread. I'd buy a drink for the person who figured out the USB extension cord trick!

     

    1 year warrantee on Apple keyboards, so I'my going to see what they'll do for me.

  • by Dryadd,

    Dryadd Dryadd Dec 17, 2014 8:03 AM in response to Hoover411
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 17, 2014 8:03 AM in response to Hoover411

    My wife is another 'where did the cabled keyboard go to' victim.  As others have said, quite random...can be working away, no problem, then, no keyboard. When the problem arises, changing usb port can sometimes cure it.  Also allowing 20mins sleep, then try again and it may work.  Very dodgy.  Early 2014 macbook air 13".  I also briefly had the same problem with my Mac book pro 13" retina early 2014, but that has not recurred.  All running Mavericks.

  • by swhansen,

    swhansen swhansen Dec 22, 2014 9:46 AM in response to swhansen
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 22, 2014 9:46 AM in response to swhansen

    To follow up with a little more info. After a couple of sleep cycles, all devices on the powered USB3 hub(Anker 7 port) fail to be recognized including the wired external keyboard. The several sleep cycles appear to be random, greater than one and less than 5.

     

    The fix is to disconnect the USB hub from the Air unplug the power from the hub, count to some large number and plug everything back in. All is up and fine however the drives connected to the hub yell at me to say they were not ejected properly and their feelings were hurt.

  • by Mr Bassman22,

    Mr Bassman22 Mr Bassman22 Dec 23, 2014 5:13 AM in response to swhansen
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 23, 2014 5:13 AM in response to swhansen

    I had the same issue. Extension cable worked fine, but i hated the mess. After putting a USB device (iPhone 6) in the USB port on the keyboard, the keyboard started working again. Still works after removing USB device.

     

    (MacBook Air (13-inch, Mid 2013), Yosemite 10.10.1)

  • by jvgreg,

    jvgreg jvgreg Jan 1, 2015 12:26 AM in response to Mr Bassman22
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 1, 2015 12:26 AM in response to Mr Bassman22

    I just wrote my first post here with same wireless mouse and keyboard disconnecting...

     

    Has been dropping on and off this evening, I disconnected my 27" display and both mouse keyboard connected like right now, going to keep the 27" display disconnected and contact Apple support on Friday.

     

     

    Joe

  • by Luttikhouse,

    Luttikhouse Luttikhouse Jan 5, 2015 9:28 AM in response to nrorg
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 5, 2015 9:28 AM in response to nrorg

    I have the same issue. It started out as a one-time occurence. Just switched to another port and the keyboard worked again. Over the course of 2 months it happened more often. Since today it does not work at all anymore. Rebooting, switching ports nothing works except adding the extension cable. After that the keyboard works without any problems.

  • by Hoover411,

    Hoover411 Hoover411 Jan 5, 2015 10:01 AM in response to Hoover411
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 5, 2015 10:01 AM in response to Hoover411

    Updare: Since my keyboard was still under warrantee, I took it to an authorized repair center. They replaced it with a new one without testing the old. I have been using the new keyboard without an extension for a few weeks with no problems.

  • by tommycarstensen,

    tommycarstensen tommycarstensen Jan 8, 2015 1:19 PM in response to nrorg
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 8, 2015 1:19 PM in response to nrorg

    I have the same problem on my MacBook Pro. I wonder if it's possible for me to get my money back and go and buy a Dell instead? I never had any problems with the 6 Dell machines I owned. Switching to Mac has been a terrible experience both in terms of hardware and software.

  • by daddykooled,

    daddykooled daddykooled Jan 26, 2015 2:13 PM in response to nrorg
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 26, 2015 2:13 PM in response to nrorg

    Same problem: keyboard plugged in, won't work 90% of the time, then suddenly, it decides to start working until it doesn't again.  Will Apple ever respond or send out an update to solve?  I regret upgrading to 10.10 Yosemite.  Should've never done it.

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