Keyboard not working but does in Linux?

2015 MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2015) I was gifted this MacBook Pro. I looked it up and it seemed to be common for a component on the board to go bad. I then thought to boot linux with a windows external keyboard, and it worked! The keyboard on the laptop worked too while in Linux! I Reinstalled Monterey and the keyboard still don't work. I don't think it would work while in Linux if it was a connector/ribbon problem, so what could be wrong.


I tried Safe Mode


I tried resetting NVRAM etc.


Nothing has worked so far?

Earlier Mac models

Posted on Sep 22, 2023 2:37 PM

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8 replies

Sep 24, 2023 8:08 AM in response to OldFart_22

OldFart_22 wrote:

Why would you suggest the keyboard failed when it works in Linux? After more web searches I believe that it is the keyboard ribbon and will be replaced this weekend, fingers crossed!

If it was the "keyboard ribbon" the keyboard would not work regardless of operating system. Replacing parts on an old computer willy-nilly may get expensive and quickly exceed the value of the computer.

Sep 24, 2023 12:23 PM in response to OldFart_22

Linux is probably accessing the built-in Keyboard as a USB device whereas macOS is accessing the built-in Keyboard using a different method (SPI). You may even discover that the keyboard will work when you try to use a special startup key sequence such as Option Boot, Recovery Mode, Apple Diagnostics, etc. since I believe the laptop's firmware is also accessing the built-in Keyboard as a USB device at that time. I have seen this same issue.


I have also seen where the built-in keyboard may not work early on, but will work perfectly fine once logged into macOS.


I believe this laptop may have been the first model where Apple changed how the Keyboard communicates with the OS so it still has two modes of communication. The Keyboard is now considered an SPI device where traditionally the built-in keyboard was always just an internal USB device.


This laptop proved to me that I could no longer use Linux to confirm a hardware failure with an Apple laptop due to how macOS can be very particular about the hardware. macOS may refuse to even boot if the wrong Apple OEM SSD is installed internally, whereas Linux will work perfectly fine.


You can try an SMC Reset and a PRAM Reset (hold the PRAM Reset for at least three chimes). You can use an external USB wired keyboard for the PRAM Reset, but the SMC Reset requires a working built-in keyboard.


Does the built-in Trackpad work Ok? If both the built-in Keyboard & Trackpad fail at the same time, then most likely the Trackpad IPD Flex Cable is defective which is very common on the 2015 model (both 13" & 15"). The Trackpad cable failure can be intermittent.


If only the built-in Keyboard is not working, then it is hard to say for sure which part is actually bad. Usually it will be the Keyboard itself which for this laptop requires having the entire Top Case Assembly replaced (good news is you get a new battery as well), or it may be a bad Logic Board. I guess there is a slim chance the internal Trackpad or cable is bad since they do seem to be tied together in some manner.


I would say it is not worth repairing such an old laptop especially since the laptop is now considered "Vintage" and repairs are only possible as long as the necessary part(s) are still available. This also means if the replacement part fails within the 90 day part warranty period....that Apple may not be able to replace it under warranty if the part is no longer available. I would suggest using an external keyboard if you need to use macOS on it, or just switch to only using Linux on this laptop. If you need macOS, then the money you would spend on repairs would be better put towards the purchase a new laptop.

Sep 25, 2023 10:49 AM in response to BobTheFisherman

BobTheFisherman wrote:


OldFart_22 wrote:

Why would you suggest the keyboard failed when it works in Linux? After more web searches I believe that it is the keyboard ribbon and will be replaced this weekend, fingers crossed!
If it was the "keyboard ribbon" the keyboard would not work regardless of operating system. Replacing parts on an old computer willy-nilly may get expensive and quickly exceed the value of the computer.

You were wrong as I pointed out it works in Linux perfectly, over and over I tested it. HWTech has a very productive reply on the subject. Thanks for all your time Bob, all opinions are welcome. I too was skeptical about it being the ribbon but after lots of searches my suspicions were verified that MacOS uses a different signal and that part of the ribbon went bad. It now works, hopefully till it is no longer needed. The key is that the Trackpad and the Keyboard were not working in macos.

Keyboard not working but does in Linux?

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