7 8 9 u i o j k l m Keys not working - NOT MOUSE KEYS

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Level 1

6 points

7 8 9 u i o j k l m Keys not working - NOT MOUSE KEYS

I have a strange issue with multiple magic keyboards or imac

When logging in and entering a password the '7 8 9 u i o j k l m' keys do not working using a magic keyboard.

We initially thought it was a failure of the keyboard so bought a brand new one. Exactly the same problem with the new keyboard.

If i plugged in a wired 'generic PC keyboard' the keys work perfectly fine and i can log in. Once logged in i can use the magic keyboard and they work perfectly fine. All keys work as normal, just not at the initial login page.

I have checked to see if 'mouse keys' is enabled or some other sort of accessibility setting but cannot work out why they would behave differently outside of the user profile environment.

I have also found some info online about toggling the option key 5 times or pressing F6 or FN+F6 but these have made no difference either. Wondering if anyone has ever come across this issue and has a resolution.....other than changing the password to something that does not contain those letters.

Thanks!

iMac (M1, 2021)

Posted on Dec 19, 2023 3:51 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

WomComSupp Author

Level 1

6 points

Dec 20, 2023 2:02 AM in response to Tom Gewecke

Thanks for your replies. Yes i was running 13.6.3.

However, I have finally solved the problem last night.

You were correct with the initial thoughts that it was a settings issue my end and it was a a mouse keys problem.

So there seems to be seperate accessibility options in Ventura for the login screen.

I had been originally looking under system settings>>accessibility>>pointer control and thats where mouse keys was turned off and not active, making me think it wasn't enabled.

There is a second mouse keys option under, system settings>>Lock Screen>>accessibility options that affects solely the login screen.

This was turned on, turned it off, and problem solved!

I cannot explain the behaviour, however, that when it was enabled, if i locked the screen i could use the disabled letters but i couldn't if i was logged off....or if i removed and re-added the keyboard it worked fine until after the restart.

Finally, i can't explain how it got turned on in the first place. I know that i didn't turn it on. Also, the press option button 5 times to toggle mouse keys on/off only seems to work when logged into the user profile. It doesn't affect the turning on/off of mouse keys at the login screen. I have tested this before and after resolving the problem.

I don't know whether that is a feature/anomaly of MacOS (ventura or others) or just my installation.

Just putting this out there, hopefully it helps some else in the future!

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Answer 2

Old Toad

Level 10

215,280 points

Dec 19, 2023 9:58 AM in response to WomComSupp

Give this a try: boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.

NOTE 1: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following;

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files

NOTE 2: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will insure a successful boot into Safe Mode.

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Answer 3

Jan 8, 2024 1:00 PM in response to El_Gato_Luchador

Fixed it by adding a second keyboard to my MacBook Pro and then finding the accessibility Lock Screen mouse key button as mentioned above. It was turned on for some reason. Turned it off and now I’m back to being able to type my password with the missing keys. Glad i found this help page!

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Answer 4

Tom Gewecke

Level 10

122,058 points

Jan 8, 2024 12:28 PM in response to El_Gato_Luchador

El_Gato_Luchador wrote:

my 789uiojklm keys do not work.

Have you already tried this fix?

Fix for 789uiojkl keys or numeric keypad … - Apple Community

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Answer 5

Tom Gewecke

Level 10

122,058 points

Dec 19, 2023 4:51 AM in response to WomComSupp

WomComSupp wrote: If i plugged in a wired 'generic PC keyboard' the keys work perfectly fine

Does that keyboard have a number pad? If so, that is normal behavior, Mouse Keys will then not affect the regular keyboard, only the numpad.

789uiojklm not working has been dealt with here countless times, and as far as I know, Mouse Keys being on is the only possible cause. Please check your settings again..

Fix for 789uiojkl keys or numeric keypad … - Apple Community

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Answer 6

WomComSupp Author

Level 1

6 points

Dec 19, 2023 5:42 AM in response to WomComSupp

UPDATE:

If I toggle mouse keys on then off, then apple Icon >> lock screen. The 789UIOJKLM keys then work.

If i 'log out' of the user profile the problem then returns.

Also, if i tell the imac to 'forget the device' (Magic Keyboard)>>restart>>login with generic wired keyboard and then re-add the magic keyboard it will function as normal (ALL KEYS WORK) can login and log out UNTIL i restart the imac and then the problem returns.

Starting to think i have an OS issue.

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Answer 7

Tom Gewecke

Level 10

122,058 points

Dec 19, 2023 6:43 AM in response to WomComSupp

Thanks for all the additional info! It certainly is strange behavior. Are you running the latest Ventura, 13.6.3?

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Answer 8

Jan 8, 2024 1:01 PM in response to Tom Gewecke

Yes. I couldn’t edit my previous post but I added another post to clarify the fix. A second keyboard hooked to my MacBook allowed me to get in and turn off the lock screen mouse button.

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Answer 9

WomComSupp Author

Level 1

6 points

Dec 19, 2023 5:22 AM in response to Tom Gewecke

Thanks for your reply.

The magic keyboard(s) do not have a number pad. The generic keyboard does.

I have attached a picture to show 'mouse keys' is not on.

I have also toggled it on then off to see if that made any difference.

As stated the magics keyboards work perfectly fine once logged in, the issue only occurs at the password login screen.

I am aware of previous posts regarding similar issues, i spent plenty of time reading through those in an attempt to resolve this issue.

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Answer 10

Jan 8, 2024 12:23 PM in response to WomComSupp

I’m having the exact same problem. Though i must have caused it after i read your comments. I was trying to get my mouse to do something else in Blender and changed some settings. Restarted my computer and now my 789uiojklm keys do not work. How do i get the keypad to show up on screen so i can enter my password? I don’t quite understand your directions

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7 8 9 u i o j k l m Keys not working - NOT MOUSE KEYS

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