SOLUTION! Apple wired keyboard not connecting using USB-A port on mac mini (m1 or m2) in Ventura

Question

SOLUTION! Apple wired keyboard not connecting using USB-A port on mac mini (m1 or m2) in Ventura

This is a reply and solution for this question on this forum from 2022 which is still a problem as it just happened to me with a brand new m2 Pro mac mini in April 2023:

Problem: Apple USB-A wired keyboard is not recognized after plugging into either USB-A ports on mac mini. Ports are working fine with other peripherals (wired mouse, etc) plugged into them.

Apple support tech and I looked at system report (apple > about this mac > more info > general (scroll to bottom of page) > system report > hardware > USB) and the plugged in Apple keyboard was not showing in any USB Bus when everything else plugged in to mac mini (studio display, magic trackpad, etc) was clearly there.

I then went and purchased a new Magic Keyboard and plugged the lightning (from keyboard) to USB-A into the mac mini to pair, which it immediately did. Then, while it was still plugged in, I checked system report under hardware > USB and after closing the window and going back in, there it was as 'Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad'. Ok, great. I then unplugged it and re-plugged in my old wired Apple keyboard to see if it would now show up and...THERE IT WAS! I figured out that what happened was that the NEW keyboard activated the needed FIRMWARE UPDATE that the old keyboard couldn't trigger (activate). Unplugged old keyboard and replugged several times and still works fine! The firmware update (from the new keyboard) is what did the trick that the old Apple keyboard just couldn't do it on its own. Voila, problem solved!

(funny how purchasing a new Apple product was the solution, haha. Kept it anyway as it's a very beautiful keyboard)

Hope this helps!

Posted on Apr 27, 2023 2:00 PM

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Answer 1

Apr 27, 2023 4:03 PM in response to dialabrain

And mine worked perfectly in my old iMac running High Sierra (too old to update beyond that). I think it's just a fluke that happens occasionally with a several-years-old Apple wired keyboard (no bluetooth) plugged directly into one of the USB-A ports on mac minis running Ventura. So much that I saw many Apple Support Community posts about the same thing without resolution. For some reason in those cases (and mine) just plugging it in directly didn't trigger the firmware update that was needed. I have a feeling if I had needed an adapter to go from USB-A (keyboard) to USB-C (mac mini) and plugged it in that way it would have updated normally, maybe just being a USB-A port quirk on the mini's. Glad you're good, cheers.

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Answer 2

dialabrain

Level 10

124,265 points

Apr 27, 2023 2:30 PM in response to elvisconfidential

Interesting. I just plugged a wired Apple keyboard into my M1 MacBook Air and it was recognized and worked immediately. I had to use an adapter because it only has USB-C ports.

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Answer 3

SharadKA

Level 1

12 points

Dec 14, 2023 12:09 PM in response to elvisconfidential

I have same issues with my Apple wired keyboard and M1 mini and M1 Pro 16" MacBook. Today, after upgrade to 14.2, it just refused to connect. I am using Apple's USBC to USBA adapter. Nothing worked today. I tried all sorts of left Control+Option and Right Shift+Power (which worked on a last few occasions).

But I tried something strange, I would never do - I connected the Apple Wired keyboard via 3 adapters... MacBook > USBC to USBA + USBA > USBC + USBC to USBA (Apple Adapter) + Keyboard and it recognised just 5 minutes ago.

God knows what Apple is doing. Some say, it is due to power requirements of these keyboards as they are old kit.

Good for now...

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SOLUTION! Apple wired keyboard not connecting using USB-A port on mac mini (m1 or m2) in Ventura

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