MacMini M1 2020 doesn't work with wired Apple A1243 keyboard

I can confirm this.

Something about the USB ports on the new Mac does not provide power to the keyboard, neither the USB-A or USB-C ports work with this keyboard.

I was able to get it to work by connecting it to a powered USB hub (AKA a hub that has an AC adapter that you plug into a wall). An unpowered hub did not work.

The downsides to this approach are:

1. Extra stuff to buy
2. Extra space to take up and wires/clutter
3. Extra power use
4. Keyboard will not wake up Mac from sleep, only mouse/trackpad will

The new Mac mini M1 has two main issues currently, bluetooth and the USB port is not providing enough power.

Hopefully Apple will address these growing pains in the next update.

You should be able to get around the USB issue with an Apple USB-C to USB adapter (MJ1M2AM/A) or by using a high quality active USB hub (cheap simply hubs will not work).

My A1243 keyboard became very intermittent after 11.2 update when plugged into standard USB on Mac Mini M1, and acts the same when plugged in via powered USB hubs. Surprisingly, it works fine when plugged into LG monitor that is connected to mini via Thunderbolt 3.0/display port. This very frustrating, I had been successfully using this keyboard for about a month before it started flaking out.

C to the Dub wrote:

A1243 keyboard doesn't work at all unless passed through a hub.

From your description this is most likely a voltage issue at the USB port. Try using a quality powered hub to get around this.

Purchased a Mac mini with Big Sur. First time I restarted from a shutdown it would not recognize either my Apple A1243 wired keyboard or my Apple bluetooth A1314 keyboard. I tried stopping and starting a couple times with no success. I removed power cable from the MacMini for a couple minutes and then plugged it back in. Started computer with the wired A1243 keyboard plugged into the Mac mini USB port and it worked as designed. Have received two system updates (currently 11.2.2) since purchasing the mini and each time I have to unplug the computer before a restart for the keyboard to be recognized. Not the most technical fix but "keeping it simple" worked this time. Apple needs to sort this.

It should work.... When your mini is off then plug the keyboard and mouse to usb ports without hub and then power on your mini... if the keyboard did not get recognized just instantly just tap a few keys and it should be recognized. After you do initial setup and all is working then connect your bluetooth peripherials but not to manny because you cann experience lagging. If you plug in some usb hubs on usb A connector just wait a little, it did not work just from the start, I think some drivers must be installed and mac is doing it in background. I have also a usb A 3.0 hub and it is working ok but my keyboard is connected strait to minis port the one that is at nearest to corner and it works.

I am using the same keyboard with my M1 Mini. I have it plugged into a very old powered USB 2.0 hub. In my case, the keyboard does wake the computer from sleep. The hub's internal is manufactured by Via Labs according to System Report.

I realize that this may not help you, but it is possible.

Plugging the keyboard directly into the USB port on the mini had the same effect. I move it to the USB 3 port on my Tiwanc hub (not powered) and everything started working. Keyboard is white cable.

I've had luck using a powered USB hub with the keyboard. Every once in a while it will have issues, unplugging/plugging USB connection to Mini sometimes corrects it.

I am on 11.2.1 and the issue remains for me, A1243 keyboard doesn't work at all unless passed through a hub.

same here ... really unbelievable ... via the USB connection of my monitor I got it working again .... words fail me

concerning an extra hub ... the keyboard requires 20mA of current ... should be an non issue even for a bog standard usb port

Apple Keyboard:

  Product ID: 0x0250

  Vendor ID: 0x05ac (Apple Inc.)

  Version: 0.74

  Speed: Up to 1.5 Mb/s

  Manufacturer: Apple Inc.

  Location ID: 0x02212000 / 29

  Current Available (mA): 500

  Current Required (mA): 20

  Extra Operating Current (mA): 0

Updated today and keyboard is working like before. I had a strange situation yesterday when I resteted the bluetooth module, after restart the keyboard does not respond on password screen but after connecting the mouse to usb hub on keyboard mouse moved but then suddenly disconnect and reconnect but I cannot type because the keyboard does not respond. After I disconnect the mouse the keyboard is recognized and then it worked like before.

I do not recommend doing the bluetooth reset because when you dont have mouse laging with bluetooth you will have it after the reset! My mouse then laging when i click on audio button on menu bar and in music app for about 6 sec and then works like normal. But it starts laging again when I click again on audio button in menu bar or open music app after quiting it.

I manage this problem disconnecting my usb 3.0 hub and shuttdow mac and pluged it out for 15sec then plug it back in and wait another 10 sec and then power it on. After all that procedure it now works like before without any laging or keyboard issues.

I've been having the same problems - A1243 keyboard was working with my M1 Mac Mini when plugged directly into the USB A socket.

Then today it completely stopped working through the USB A socket, but does work when plugged in to an adapter on the USB C one. Have upgraded to Big Sur 11.2.2. Made no difference and keyboard still didn't work when plugged into the USB A socket.

I've just run a 3rd party piece of software 'CleanMyMac' on the computer, and the keyboard is now working fine. Didn't read the report of what it did in detail but whatever it did seemed to make a difference.

At this moment buy a cheap chinese keyboard.

If you cann return this unit and get new one, maybe you have got faulty unit.