Apple USB Magic Keyboard not working on brand new MacBook Pro 14, but it works like usual on old 2012 MacBook Pro

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Apple USB Magic Keyboard not working on brand new MacBook Pro 14, but it works like usual on old 2012 MacBook Pro

Hi everybody,

I'm getting frustrated by the problem in the title.

I bought a 2023 MacBook Pro 14 at the end of April, to substitute my 2012 combo Mac mini and MacBook Pro 13. At the beginning, everything was working with no issue, and I was happy for the big jump in the future (actually, future for me).

Last month, after coming back home from a week away due to work, I reconnected my computer to my studio desktop environment:

Monitor via HDMI port,
ethernet cable through a TpLink ETH->USB-C adapter,
magsafe charger,
cheap usb-c hub with multiple USB ports to which:
- usb-cable to the Monitor USB HUB, to which:
  - USB Keyboard,
  - usb-lightening cable for iPhone/iPad

Before the work trip, everything was working regularly. One thing I can think about is that I did a system upgrade, but can it be the real issue?

I can 100% exclude that the problem is the keyboard. It is 10+ years old, I know, but if I connect it to any other computer at home (my two old Macs with Catalina, my girlfriend's MSI Windows, my rasbperry pi) it works like a charm.

I've seen a lot of posts around the web, in various forums, from people complaining for the same problem, but no working solutions.

Anybody have/had this problem and can suggest a fix?

MacBook Pro (M2 Pro, 2023)

Posted on Jul 19, 2023 4:43 AM

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Answer 1

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Owl-53

Level 10

103,033 points

Jul 19, 2023 4:55 AM in response to Andreasonica

A possible combination of a " cheap usb-c hub with multiple USB ports " and a recent " system upgrade " could be a reason.

Somewhere in the lifespan of macOS 12 Monterey, USB Hubs became a hot topic.

The Chip Set contained in the Self Powered or USB Powered Hub was a bit of a " Roll of the Dice " if it would work or not work

What happens when the " Apple USB Magic Keyboard " is directly attached ?

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Answer 2

Owl-53

Level 10

103,033 points

Jul 19, 2023 5:14 AM in response to Andreasonica

Some Apple Adapters for this Direct Connection for this USB-A to USB-C requirement

Personally use the Second of the two images

The third image sometimes when Travelling abroad

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Answer 3

Andreasonica Author

Level 1

14 points

Jul 19, 2023 5:03 AM in response to Owl-53

Hi P. Philips, thank you for your reply!

I know that the weak link in my setup is exactly the cheap usb-c hub adapter, but it works regularly for any other device: usb thumb drives, usb hard drives, an older Windows keyboard, and the Monitor hub, chained to the cheap usb-C hub, also works as expected.

What do you mean with the chip set? Is there a compatibility list around I can check?

The keyboard cannot connect directly to the MacBook Pro, as it only has usb-c/thunderbolt ports. If with "directly" you mean to the usb-c hub instead of to the monitor hub and then the usb-c hub, it changes nothing.

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Answer 4

Andreasonica Author

Level 1

14 points

Jul 19, 2023 5:24 AM in response to Owl-53

Thank you for the suggestions.

Eventually, I will go to an Apple Store with the two MacBooks and the keyboard, and I will test if the solution is to by an original Apple adapter.

I hope that it will work even if I put the Monitor usb-hub in the middle for convenience, because there I have 2 USB2 ports (to which I connect keyboard and iPhone charger) and 2 USB3 ports (for drives and other stuff).

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Answer 5

Owl-53

Level 10

103,033 points

Jul 19, 2023 6:55 AM in response to Andreasonica

Welcome.

Time permitting, do keep us updated with whatever outcome it may be

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Apple USB Magic Keyboard not working on brand new MacBook Pro 14, but it works like usual on old 2012 MacBook Pro

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