Function keys don't work via older usb keyboard on MacBook Pro.

Question

Level 1

14 points

Function keys don't work via older usb keyboard on MacBook Pro.

The keyboard is a pretty ancient USB Apple Keyboard (A1048 or similar, see image). The MacBook is reading the inputs from the function keys correctly as they light up on the input monitor when I press them (I'm pressing F8 and the play/pause key lights up), but they just don't do anything. When I press the desired key on the built-in MacBook keyboard or when physically click on the key (play/stop for eg) on the keyboard diagram within the Keyboard input monitor, it works. Just not when pressed on the usb keyboard. If it's reading the input just like the built-in keyboard, why is it being treated differently? Any ideas would be very helpful. Thanks!

Posted on Mar 2, 2020 3:27 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

cp from OH

Community Specialist

Mar 3, 2020 6:28 PM in response to bzotter

Hello, bzotter.

I understand that the function keys of an Apple USB keyboard aren’t working as expected when plugged into your MacBook. I’m glad to have a chance to look at this with you.

The chapter in the macOS User Guide, Use keyboard function keys on Mac, has a lot of great information that may help to explain why these keys aren’t working as expected. A great callout is to make sure that “Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys” is selected at System Preferences > Keyboard.

There are also some significant troubleshooting steps specific for a USB keyboard in the article, If your Apple keyboard doesn't work.

It's also always a great idea to make sure your Mac is backed up and up-to-date.

How to update the software on your Mac

I hope this helps!

Best Regards.

Reply

Answer 2

sterling r

Community Specialist

Mar 4, 2020 1:44 PM in response to bzotter

bzotter,

I happen to use an external mechanical keyboard on my iMac and I need to press the FN button (Control on your keyboard) in order to use the secondary functions of my F keys. There is a little more information in the article I’ve linked below.

How to use the function keys on your Mac

Good luck!

Reply

Answer 3

rose_10

Community Specialist

Mar 4, 2020 2:31 PM in response to bzotter

bzotter,

Do you have another computer with which you could test the keyboard? Or vice-versa, another keyboard to test with your MacBook? I would also be interested to see if the keyboard works as expected in a test user.

How to test an issue in another user account on your Mac

I would also advise navigating to System Preferences > Keyboard > Keyboard Tab > Change Keyboard Type. Then, follow the prompts to add this keyboard. You also have the option of assigning functions to different keys here. It's a workaround but could be beneficial.

Use global keyboard shortcuts on Mac

Cheers.

Reply

Answer 4

chris_g1

Community Specialist

Mar 10, 2020 6:55 AM in response to bzotter

bzotter,

You may be in to something with the age of the keyboard but at this point, I would suggest that you contact Apple Support and gather their buy-in. They may have particular insight into this specific keyboard.

I wish you all the best.

Bests.

Reply

Answer 5

bzotter Author

Level 1

14 points

Mar 4, 2020 12:01 PM in response to cp from OH

Thanks. Sorry if my questions was unclear. What I want is the function-specific buttons (volume, play/pause, etc), not the generic F functions. The issue is that the buttons are working and the signal is being read by macOS, but the functions are not activating. My computer is up to date and backed up.

Thanks

Brendan

Reply

Answer 6

bzotter Author

Level 1

14 points

Mar 6, 2020 1:11 PM in response to rose_10

When I go to prefs>keyboard I don't have an option to "change keyboard type". I am using Mac OS Catalina 10.15.3. I used another windows keyboard from another machine and if you hold down the function modifier, the F keys on that keyboard behave as they should (control volume, play/pause, etc), even though on the keyboard viewer window, it is behaving exactly the same. i.e. the same function keys light up using either keyboard, but only the other keyboard actually activates those functions. It may be that this keyboard is just too old and the OS doesn't know how to parse the data from it.

Reply

Answer 7

bzotter Author

Level 1

14 points

Mar 4, 2020 2:14 PM in response to sterling r

Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately, no combination of control, alt/option, or apple key + F key changes the behavior at all.

Reply