Apple USB keyboard stopped working

Question

Apple USB keyboard stopped working

My Apple Extended wired keyboard has stopped working with my iMac Late 2012 High Sierra 10.13.6, I think since the latest Safari update 12.0.2 but this may be a coincidence. Sometimes the wired mouse connected to the keyboard's side port does work even if the keyboard does not, but not always. It makes no difference whether I connect the keyboard directly to any of the Mac's integral USB sockets or my powered USB 3.0 hub. Other peripherals work in all the USB ports so they are not faulty. I have also tried using an Apple keyboard extension lead and a general USB extension, as suggested in various online posts. I have reset the PRAM with no benefit.

The keyboard is not apparently faulty as it works completely normally with my wife's Mac Mini (2009) on El Capitan. She doesn't want it because she likes her Bluetooth small keyboard. I have a second apparently identical keyboard that does work with my computer too. But I would like to keep using the old one as long as possible and since it works on another computer I don't see why I can't.

Any suggestions, please?

iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on Dec 10, 2018 1:44 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

MoonJ.

Community Specialist

Dec 12, 2018 9:15 AM in response to Antony Warren

Hello Antony Warren,

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities. I see you're having an issue with a USB keyboard.

You've done some great testing so far. There's one step I recommend, if you haven't already, from the "Steps for a USB keyboard" section of this link: If your Apple keyboard doesn't work. Try disconnecting all other devices from the Mac, including the hub you mentioned, and see if this makes a difference.

You might also try a reset of your System Management Controller, particularly since the issue seems to occur with all ports on your Mac but the keyboard works as expected on another computer. Check out this link to learn How to reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac.

If you try the above and the issue persists, I recommend that you Contact Apple Support next. I hope these steps help.

Kind regards.

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Answer 2

Dec 12, 2018 10:39 AM in response to MoonJ.

Thanks for this helpful advice. I forgot that I have already reset the SMC. But since I installed the latest Security Update 2018-003, my old keyboard has started working again! This may be a coincidence as I have the impression that disconnecting it for several hours may also have helped.

If the problem recurs I shall try unplugging all the USB devices and re-connect as you suggest, thanks

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Answer 3

Joseph_S.

Community Specialist

Dec 12, 2018 1:13 PM in response to Antony Warren

Hi Antony Warren,

Thanks for the follow-up. Glad to hear it's working for you now.

Have a great day.

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Apple USB keyboard stopped working

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