Wireless keyboard won't turn on after changing battery

So I just got a new aluminum wireless keyboard and it doesn't seem to connect. I tried to unplug my iMac for a minute or two and restart all to no avail.

I notice too, when I turn the keyboard on the green light in the upper right hand corner only stays on for a few moments (yet the caps lock light can stay on for several minutes). Is this normal?

Sometimes if I time it "just right" my iMac can "see" the keyboard, but can't connect.

The other thing, I was able to connect to my iPad and it worked great. Could that have anything to do with the issue?

I've put brand new batteries in made sure they are in correct, etc. Still no success.

Help!

Thanks.

I had the same problem - this morning woke up and the keyboard was dead. Presumed that it needed its batteries changing, since a message had come up about it a few days ago, but despite changing them several times, the keyboard refused to turn on. Following advice on here, I coiled a paperclip around a lollipop stick to get the spiral shape, snipped off the ends (cutting my thumb on the sharp end of the paperclip in the process - be careful!) and then dropped it into the battery hole. Dropped in the batteries after it and voila! Working keyboard! 😀

Had the same problem and was able to solve it. Just make a small ball of alumnium foil and throw it down the tube before the first battery. Turned on immediatelly. Think the spring must be somehow worned out...

Hope it works ok for you.

I've been having problems with my keyboard on and off for over a year now,...

after changing the batteries my keyboard would not work.

I've discovered.... that my apple keyboard does not like DURACELL batteries

and the keyboard will only work if the first battery in has a proud tip.

Try another brand of battery and your keyboard should work.

I experienced the same problem this morning with my 4 year old wireless aluminum keyboard not turning on after two new sets of batteries. Talk about frustrated!

Luckily, I have always found answers on this forum and this was not an exception! After borrowing my daughter's iPad to research the problem, I learned about the aluminum ball... worked like a charm...a very happy Mac owner tonight who doesn't have to buy a new keyboard! Thanks to the person who posted the solution!

Thanks the Freddy BoyI actually bought new keyboard and mouse, figuring that after 4 years, it was time especially as I'd upgraded to Lion. However, I'd like to know how I can update the Bluetooth firmware (the link you gave did not work for me)...so I can use my old keyboard on my iPad...it was working with the desktop with a bit of aluminium foil so I am hoping it will still connect to the iPad long enough for me to upgrade the firmware.

Hi, I noticed the link didn't work once I sent it. It wasn't a typical copy and paste. The link does work otherwise. Try just typing it in verbatim. If that doesn't work, send me an e-mail and I will forward you the link> dhanrahanjr@aol.com

Arthurc your suggestion worked perfectly!!!!!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

Ingenious. If you're having this issue with no solution, TRY THIS ONE!

Re: Wireless keyboard won't turn on after changing battery

Feb 2, 2009 5:50 AM (in response to JasonBChen)

Same thing today. Low battery warning on the wireless keyboard (model A1255). Replacing them resulted in a keyboard that would not power on (no green light on power button press). One of the posts indicated it was a bad battery contact on the + terminal (thanks for the clue!). Looking down the tube, there is indeed a plastic ring that the battery rests on. I took a paper clip and created a small spiral of metal and snipped off the remainder. I dropped it down the tube and rattled it around to fall into the hole. Dropped in the fresh batteries and voila... it works. YMMV.

In general Apple stuff is pretty well built. I'm surprised that something so trivial is happening.

MBP, Mac OS X (10.5.5)

Hi. I was having the same problem and called Apple Support.

I was certain I'd put the batteries in correctly - I had not. They go in POSITIVE end first.

Then turn on the keyboard. Nothing happened at first. Then the tiny green light in the upper right hand corner started flashing (a way to also test if the keyboard is on is to press CAPS LOCK).

Still, the keyboard did not work. I'd type and nothing appeared on my screen.

Then the support person suggested I click on the Bluetooth icon at the top of my computer screen - the one that looks sort of like a "B". Then click on "Set up wireless devices"

My wireless keyboard was in the list and when I clicked on it, I got a message that said, this device already paired.

So I tried the keyboard again. Just a bunch of letters - that didn't appear on the screen - at first.

Then they did.

Tried again.

Still stodgy.

Finally, it started working ok - and the support person said probably it would help after 1. inserting the batteries 2. turning on the keyboard 3. clicking on the Bluetooth icon on the computer 4. clicking on the name in the list - to just RESTART the computer to get things moving again.

Hope this helps someone - it may not be the only way, but it did solve my problem. (And my caps lock button, when I press it, comes on solid green).

Good luck!

Yes I had this problem today. After looking all over the Internet via my iPhone I found this forum. The tinfoil works. Don't know yet for how long but yay it works & I don't have to buy a new keyboard.

My apple keyboard starting acting up with low battery signals and other weird behaviour. I changed the batteries and then it would not turn on. I fixed the problem by scrapping the positive contact with a metal rod. It worked fine after that. There was some build up on the contact that prevented the battery from making a firm connection.

Took the rechargeable batteries out of the keyboard and put them on to charge before I went to bed last night. Everything fine. Got up this morning, put charged batteries (it's an old 3 battery version and drinks them like there is no tomorrow!) in. NOTHING.

Read about the aluminium foil trick. I just folded a little piece small enough to go down the 'tube' rather than rolling into a ball. Everything fine. Thank you.

(Someone mentioned that it could be slight differences in battery size - obviously not the problem here as the batteries are always the same.)

Been having problem with aluminium wireless keyboard for a couple of days following battery replacement (low battery warnings given for preceeding couple of days). Keyboard would not turn on again. Tried several sets of new batteries from local shop and even tried batteries from TV remotes (which I knew were working), without success. Thought I'd check the forum for the first time and, MAGIC, aluminium foil suggestion did the trick !!

I've never registered on these forums before and just wanted to say, THANK YOU.

The aluminium foil trick works perfectly, after frustrating months of changing batteries etc, and sometimes working, sometimes not. Mac should offer an exchange for any bluetooth keyboard and fix the problem as soon as possible.