How to reset Mac Bluetooth Keyboard
So, my original Apple wireless keyboard...
...stopped connecting to my Mac (or anything else, iPhone, iPad, other Macs) and following the various directions provided in this forum did not work. This thread didn't help, and repairing by shutting off by holding the power button (top right) for 3-4 seconds and then holding the power button again for 5-6 seconds to turn it on and force re-pairing didn't work. It could be seen but would not connect, saying so but not saying what to do differently. But the web is wonderful; I found this link and the problem solved (thank you Dave). In case that link goes away, here are the directions from that page:
Any USB keyboard or mouse can be used if you need to workaround any part of these instructions that requires a functional keyboard or mouse. They are dirt cheap from retailers, or borrow one from a friend (they work on all PC and Mac systems). [Note: I did not need a 2nd keyboard.]
- Switch off the keyboard by holding down the power button for at least 3 seconds
- Click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar
- Click on “Set Up Bluetooth Device” or “Open Bluetooth Preferences”
- Turn on the keyboard by holding down the power button, BUT DO NOT LET GO OF THE POWER BUTTON. It must be kept held down through the entire process [At least until step 6].
- The Setup Assistant will find the keyboard, so click the name of the keyboard, and then click on “Continue”. Make sure you are still holding the power button down.
- You will be prompted for the Pairing Code. You can now release the power button, type the pairing code on the keyboard and then press return. There will be a slight delay whilst the pairing completes (a few seconds)
The keyboard will now be Paired, and should work as expected (if it produces wrong characters for keypresses you may have the wrong language setting on your Mac, see the article).
MacBook Air