Wired Apple keyboard not working with my iMac 27 2020

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Level 1

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Wired Apple keyboard not working with my iMac 27 2020

I have a 2020 iMac 27", with a wired Apple keyboard and wireless mouse. Just recently, when I boot up the Mac, it does not recognise the wired keyboaard, with the result that when I try to type in my login password, the keyboard does not work. I have rebooted the Mac several times, to try and resolve the issue, and resetting the PRAM, etc. But nothing seems to resolve it. At the moment, I have a Dell keyboard connected via USB to allow me to type in my password on my iMac, and the Mac then boots up accordingly. What do I need to do, to get my Apple keyboard and iMac to recgongised each other again?? Hope someone here may be able to help. Thanks in advance.

iMac 27″, macOS 13.5

Posted on Sep 6, 2023 4:00 AM

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Answer 1

den.thed

Level 10

90,970 points

Sep 6, 2023 4:34 AM in response to Newshound

Test the wired Apple keyboard in a different USB port.

Test the wired Apple keyboard with/without a USB Hub.

Test the wired Apple keyboard with a different Mac or PC.

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Answer 2

Sep 6, 2023 8:45 AM in response to Newshound

People seem to be throwing everything at the wall here:

https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/167291/suddenly-apple-wired-keyboard-not-working

The things that various people claimed to work included:

Resetting the SMC
Resetting PRAM
Adding a USB extension cable between the Mac and the keyboard. Nobody could account for how this could work ("Had I not just experienced this myself, I wouldn't have believe this was a real fix. Utterly bizarre!").
Unplugging the keyboard from the Mac, plugging a USB flash drive into one of the keyboard's USB hub ports, and then plugging the keyboard back into the Mac. This supposedly was to make things so that the keyboard would be drawing enough power to wake the port.

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Answer 3

den.thed

Level 10

90,970 points

Sep 6, 2023 5:06 AM in response to Newshound

Hmm.... revisit the Accessibility and Source settings that pertain to keyboards.

Change Keyboard settings for accessibility on Mac - Apple Support

Change Input Sources settings on Mac - Apple Support

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Answer 4

Newshound Author

Level 1

5 points

Sep 6, 2023 4:52 AM in response to den.thed

Thanks Den, I've tried switching USB ports on the Mac and the keyboard still doesnt want to play. I have a 2022 Macbook pro (with newer ports than the USB ports on my iMac. I will see if the keyboard works on another machine. Interestingly, a wired mouse works when plugged into the wired apple keyboard. **7t I cant type with the wired apple keyboard...

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Answer 5

Newshound Author

Level 1

5 points

Sep 6, 2023 6:28 AM in response to den.thed

Thanks again for these suggestions Den. I've tried both, and the Apple keybooard is refusing to do anything. Perhaps it really is no longer functioning properly? It's just odd, because it has be3en working just fine for year on year, then suddenly (after a recent Apple IOS update, it just stopping working. I may just have to bite the bullet and get a new keyboard..

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Answer 6

den.thed

Level 10

90,970 points

Sep 6, 2023 6:57 AM in response to Newshound

You're welcome.

Yea' there are plenty of third party wireless and USB options, if you are not into the new Apple Magic Keyboards.

Personally I prefer using the inexpensive Logitech MK120 USB combo's with all of our Mac's.

(no batteries, no charging, no fuss, never a disconnect)

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Answer 7

den.thed

Level 10

90,970 points

Sep 6, 2023 9:30 AM in response to dialabrain

So the Command and Alt (option) keys are reversed which is easily fixed. Personally I've never suffered from any lack of keyboard function or startup command compared to the old Apple USB keyboard that the OP is currently using.

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Answer 8

Sep 6, 2023 9:47 AM in response to den.thed

I don't remember having any major problems with the wired Apple Extended Keyboard – other than the usual one of the labels of many keycaps wearing off. That seems to happen sooner or later to every desktop keyboard I use.

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