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Apple USB keyboard won't connect to iMac

Hi everyone,


I'd like to use my Apple USB keyboard from 2013 with my iMac (3,6 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i3 from 2019, Ventura 13.3.1), but it doesn't work. I tried plugging the keyboard in different ports. I tried rebooting the iMac and unplugging the iMac's power cord for a while.


The USB ports work fine with other devices such as external HDs and USB mouses.

The keyboard works fine on my Windows laptop, but the weird thing is that it doesn't work on my MacBook Pro from 2013 (Catalina 10.15.7) anymore either. It used to work fine on that.


I've used the keyboard on my Windows laptop for years. Could that have something to do with it?

Hope you guys can help me. I need the numeric keyboard.

iMac (2017 – 2020)

Posted on May 15, 2023 7:49 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on May 15, 2023 11:45 AM

You’re welcome.


I can”t remember exactly which year model or version of keyboard it was, but some of those old keyboards came with a USB extension cable that was required with some Mac’s. Do you remember if that old keyboard came with a USB extension cable? If it did try using that cable with the keyboard.

16 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

May 15, 2023 11:45 AM in response to Applesnob

You’re welcome.


I can”t remember exactly which year model or version of keyboard it was, but some of those old keyboards came with a USB extension cable that was required with some Mac’s. Do you remember if that old keyboard came with a USB extension cable? If it did try using that cable with the keyboard.

May 17, 2023 8:04 AM in response to den.thed

I have a couple of these cables around here, and I've seen that notch many times. I always just took it as Apple being proprietary. I mean, the connectors appear to be the typical USB but for that notch which just seemed to be a fitment thing.


I never would have put 2 & 2 together for this issue as I've never experienced the OPs problem.


Wow! Great call, my friend. 🙂

Apple USB keyboard won't connect to iMac

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