Level 1

21 points

Wireless keyboard won't turn on after changing battery

This is what happened:

I got a message yesterday telling me that the battery for my wireless keyboard was low and I should replace them. This morning, before I switched on my Mac, I put in new battery for the wireless keyboard. Then I switched on my Mac. And I got a message on the screen saying that There's no keyboard connected and couldn't find any keyboards. I thought that maybe I need to turn on the keyboard to make it work. So I pressed the power button and noticed that the green light doesn't even come up..

What's going on? Is my wireless keyboard already dead??

Any advice would be appreciate it. Thanks.

G5, Mac OS X (10.5.2)

Posted on Jun 26, 2008 12:48 PM

Top-ranking reply

Dino1956

Level 1

57 points

Posted on Apr 22, 2009 4:40 PM

Take all Batteries Out.
Roll up a small piece of Tin Foil about the size of a Pea.
Drop the Tin Foil Ball down the Battery Compartment.
Put your Batteries Back In.
You should have a Working Keyboard.
This worked for several people on here including me.
I'm still running 2 months later with my rolled up piece of Tin Foil in my Battery Compartment.
I know it sounds Crazy. That's what I first thought.
Apparently Apple did not make the + Terminal Inside the Keyboard correctly.
Try it. What have you got to lose?

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337 replies

Jul 7, 2017 3:16 PM in response to ctblubird

All this talk about adding the tin foil ball has made me more careful about the way I insert my batteries into the battery compartment. I think the dropping of the heavy battery into the compartment is causing wear on the metal contacts making them wear away, thus the need for more metal to get the contacts to connect. If you think this is ridiculous, please no silly comments. I'm very careful about the way I insert my batteries into my wireless keyboard. No one ever complains about the mouse batteries needing a tin foil ball. It's always the keyboard. Something to think about. I've never needed to add tin foil to my battery compartment. I think it's because I understand that metal can be stressed.

Nov 8, 2008 4:18 PM in response to JasonBChen

Hello: I just bought the aluminum Apple Wireless Keyboard MB167LLA. I found problems with the instruction manual (who writes this stuff?)

1. It apparently assumes i'm installing this with a brand new computer. It doesn't address the most common (and logical) condition of having a working machine up and running. You do not get a setup assistant when you start up a machine that has already been set up.

2. I did the update and also the firmware update (blue tooth or keyboard was murky) which the detailed instructions in this support site that i looked up later indicate aren't necessary.

3. The light came on and flashed in a couple of instances but once i got the "Congratulations" message it went out and would not turn on again

4. Only way i could get back to a semblance of hope was to remove the batteries and reinsert. I noticed that the "setup assistant" (actually in the keyboard preferences) under device select shows my keyboard name and a green batteries bar so i must be paired. But the keyboard will not turn on.

5. I have come to the conclusion that the keyboard must be defective out of the box and plan to ask for another or a refund.

Any other suggestions???? Like how do i undo any stuff that i did wrong?

Feb 12, 2017 9:48 PM in response to JasonBChen

Hey,

JasonBChen,

Have you had any luck yet....??

If not just remove batteries and reinsert them again, then press the button on the other side of the keyboard to repair to iMac......viola it works ......

Hope this help....

Sincerely,

Will

May 20, 2017 4:12 AM in response to Dino1956

Thank you Dino. It worked for me too. I note that you posted this 8 years ago! Unbelievable that Apple haven't fixed whatever the problem is and we are having to adopt makeshift solutions with tinfoil!

Oct 8, 2017 10:06 PM in response to steffaniefromtoronto

Dino, I know this post is over eight years old.... but you nailed it brah... It worked perfectly... I love my wireless keyboard, and for the last 2 years, it stopped working, i about gave up on it, until this evening, I placed that pea size foil... badda bing badda boom,

rapt00r

Level 1

9 points

Jun 29, 2008 5:46 PM in response to JeffWh

I too am having this exact problem. My keyboard is only about three months old and I received a message about replacing my batteries yesterday. I replaced them this morning and the power button on the keyboard isn't working at all.

Anybody find a solution to this problem yet or is the keyboard already dead?

catalan

Level 1

6 points

Aug 27, 2008 1:09 AM in response to catalan

Called Apple Care. After hearing the problem, they immediately offer to send replacement keyboard. Arrives in 28 hours. Wrong model, they sent the white, plastic extended wireless keyboard. Called Apple Care again. They will send the right one. Arrives in 16 hours (!!: From The Netherlands to Spain). It is the right one. Works perfectly. Problem solved.

Feb 11, 2012 12:55 PM in response to JasonBChen

Upgrade to the latest bluetooth firmware: http://support.apple.com/downloads/Bluetooth_Firmware_Update_2_0_1http:// I did it and now my BT Magic Mouse (very sluggish before update) and keyboard are working fine.

Sep 10, 2017 7:54 AM in response to Dino1956

Foil worked for me. Have the first version of the bluetooth keyboard and was frustrated that the $70 keyboard was busted. Thank you for submitting this fix!!!

Quillnib

Level 1

21 points

Dec 2, 2017 7:58 AM in response to Dino1956

Brilliant. Your solution works! Thanks for the tip.

EbonyB

Level 1

62 points

Dec 29, 2017 4:57 PM in response to Dino1956

Absolutely thank you!! It worked!!

Dino1956

Level 1

57 points

Apr 18, 2009 7:27 AM in response to Don Rex

I'm pretty sure we all know where the Power Button is! After having used the Keyboard, & it just stopped working when changing the Battery or for no apparent reason at all. 🙂

tapH2O

Level 1

18 points

Dec 17, 2011 7:09 PM in response to tapH2O

Oh, and what is the "aluminum ball trick"?

JeffWh

Level 1

4 points

Jun 29, 2008 12:30 PM in response to JasonBChen

I have this exact same problem with my aluminum wireless keyboard. I, too, have tried multiple sets of brand new batteries and have confirmed that they're in and seated OK. The keyboard is just stone dead.

Jul 17, 2008 7:29 AM in response to JasonBChen

Possible fix to non pairing blue tooth devices.....

I have a BTMMouse- quite new. The original lithium batteries died and I replaced them with alkaline. It would connect but refused to pair. Went on the MM discussion board which had over 300 similar problems with both MM and BT keyboards, with absolutely no solutions from Apple or anyone!

I have an Apple Care plan, so I called and was told to shut down. Then remove the power cord from the back of my iMac, wait one minute, plug it back in. Fire up, and then attempt to set up a new device in BT. It worked on the first try. Then to double check, I shut down and restarted and the mouse stayed connect and paired!

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Wireless keyboard won't turn on after changing battery