Wireless keyboard won't turn on after changing battery

Of course you all know you have to press the button on the right side of the keyboard after you replace batteries? I have had multiple battery life problems with my Magic Mouse and my Bluetooth keypad since upgrading to El Capitan 10.11.4. It's a software issue. New batteries don't always fix the lack of connection. Although my device appears on the Bluetooth page, it says not connected. I have spent too much money using non-rechargeable Duracell batteries in my wireless devices manufactured by Apple since upgrading to El Capitan. Get some rechargeable batteries at Best Buy (I don't work for them.) and keep replacing batteries until Apple figures out why El Capitan is draining our Bluetooth devices battery life. Duracell says it's a storage issue, but these were brand new from the store and the package, yet they sometimes only last 24 hours. It's El Capitan. I'm convinced.

Had the same problem today as many others of keyboard not turning on after replacing batteries. Took to my Apple Store. It appears that older batteries had leaked a little, could see bits of white stuff in battery compartment. Wiped compartment clean and used metal rod/screwdriver to scrape off a little of the residue on contacts. Works fine now.

13 August Same problem, installed new batteries and no keyboard light.

Followed suggestions to scrape the contacts at both ends of battery compartment

and lightly on battery terminals. May take a couple of tries but it works.

Like so many others, same issue. My solution is slightly different.

I cleaned contacts. No change.

Tried aluminum foil ball, which I've seen elsewhere. No fix.

Finally, tried loose ball of Steel Wool. Voila! Solved.

Just wanted to say that I also had the same problem as everyone else. Even tried to clean the positive contact as discussed in other threads. No luck with that option however the aluminum foil trick worked immediately! Brilliant!! Thanks very much!

Of course you all know you have to press the button on the right side of the keyboard after you replace batteries? I have had multiple battery life problems with my Magic Mouse and my Bluetooth keypad since upgrading to El Capitan 10.11.4. It's a software issue. New batteries don't always fix the lack of connection. Although my device appears on the Bluetooth page, it says not connected. I have spent too much money using non-rechargeable Duracell batteries in my wireless devices manufactured by Apple since upgrading to El Capitan. Get some rechargeable batteries at Best Buy (I don't work for them.) and keep replacing batteries until Apple figures out why El Capitan is draining our Bluetooth devices battery life. Duracell says it's a storage issue, but these were brand new from the store and the package, yet they sometimes only last 24 hours. It's El Capitan. I'm convin

Is is a possibility that because we're using rechargeable batteries, that the constant inserting of the batteries into the charger is wearing away the metal contacts? This would explain to my mind why the insertion of something metal into the area alleviates the problem.

I had this same issue and the foil worked. When I compared the batteries that I was replacing, which I believe to be the original ones, they are about 1 mm longer than a normal AA battery (Duracell) that I used.

Glad it worked! Thanks for your answer!

Hi,

I have seen this rarely on both bluetooth keyboard and mouse. Usually charging or what else has no bad effects.

For mouse, just plug and unplug lightning wire likely revives it.

For keyboard it seems at first it only works when lightning wire is plugged in, not when removed. Rebooting doesn't help.

ANSWER: there's a little power switch on each having green and red to indicate position. Just turn the device off for a few seconds, turn it back on, keyboard automatically detects

Why? Devices are detected when powered on. If for some reason the bluetooth gets (out of range, say blocked by a book or hand) it will not re-detect until a "powering on" is happening.

Same problem. computer told me I was low on batteries. Changed the batteries and it the bluetooth could not find the keyboard, the keyboard wouldn't turn on (no green light).

I tried the pea sized tin foil ball...It worked!! thanks!

Also had same issue. Tried several sets of batteries, none worked. Then I told a long narrow flat screwdriver and inserted it into the battery compartment. I lightly scraped the bottom of the compartment to remove and corrosion buildup. (Perhaps a long pencil with the erasure end would work better). Then I replaced the batteries and it worked fine.

Look down in the battery compartment - there is a gray circle plastic piece around the metal contact for the positive battery end. I had the same issue recently. Get something small and long enough to get the plastic piece out and the insert it correctly with the crowned in away from the positive end of the battery. The keyboard also works with this removed.

I had the same problem. This solved it:

http://davemeehan.com/technology/how-to-reset-an-apple-wireless-bluetooth-keyboa rd-mouse-or-trackpad