The keyboard language type is wrong on the login screen (Chip Intel)

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Level 1

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The keyboard language type is wrong on the login screen (Chip Intel)

I updated the newest macOS version (Sequoia v15.0.1) on my Mac mini (Chip Intel). Everything is normal with the keyboard until I restart the OS. On the login screen, I could not input my password because some keys on the keyboard were not working. I also checked the keyboard it was not broken. Then I opened the sign with the Apple ID feature and on the Apple ID login screen I could input the password access to the OS without the keyboard problem. I tried to restart many times to check the problem and tried to change the keyboard language on the first login screen it still did not work. I must change the password to some character that can be used on the login screen.

One more information, after you login successfully the keyboard problem will be gone and it will also gone when you logout of your account (Switch account). The keyboard error happens when you restart or shut down and start the OS again.

Mac mini, macOS 15.0

Posted on Oct 15, 2024 7:49 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

BDAqua

Level 10

251,171 points

Oct 15, 2024 9:57 AM in response to nvhau

Change the language used at the login screen on your Mac

The login screen is displayed in the language you selected the first time you set up your Mac. You can change it using these steps.

If there’s only one user account on your Mac

If there's only one user account on your Mac, use these steps to change the primary language you use with that account. This also changes the language used at the login screen:

Choose System Preferences from the Apple menu.

Click Language & Region.

Drag the desired language to the top of the Preferred languages list. If the language you want isn't listed, click the Add (+) button to add the language you want.

Restart your Mac.

After your Mac restarts, the login screen uses the language you set.

If there’s more than one user account on your Mac

If there's more than one user account on your Mac, or you want to change only the language at the login screen, use these steps:

Log in as an admin user.

Open Terminal from the Utilities folder.

Type or paste this command in Terminal:

sudo languagesetup

Press Return.

When prompted for a password, enter an administrator account password and press Return.

A list of available languages is displayed. Type the number that appears next to the language you want to use, then press Return.

Quit Terminal.

The next time you log out or restart your Mac, the login screen uses the language you set.

Change your keyboard layout

To select a different input method or keyboard at the login screen, click the Input menu in the upper-right corner of the menu bar and choose an option.

If you don't see the Input menu, use these steps to add it to the login screen:

Log in.

From the Apple menu, choose System Preferences.

Click the Users & Groups icon.

Click the lock lock icon icon. Enter an admin user name and password.

Click Login Options.

Select the option to Show Input menu in login window.

Change the language your Mac uses - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Oct 15, 2024 8:16 AM in response to nvhau

Try re-installing macOS Sequoia over the top of your existing installation of Sequoia.

Hold Shift key while powering on to boot into Safe Mode. Let go of Shift key when you reach the login screen
You will see two very similar logon prompts, this is normal enter the password a second time
When you reach the Desktop, open Terminal (CMD + Spacebar and type Term then press Return)
In the Terminal window input the following: softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 15.0.1
That will download Sequoia and it will appear in /Applications/Install macOS Sequoia
Obtain a 16GB USB flash disk (Sandisk has some with Type A & USB-C connectors)
Follow this guide to burn the Sequoia installer onto the flash disk
Attach USB flash drive, hold Option key while powering on. Boot from the flash drive not Macintosh HD
Re-install macOS over the top of your existing system

If this does not work. Backup your data (you should have already before you upgraded). Then boot from the flash drive but this time open Disk Utility and erase and reformat the internal disk. Re-install Sequoia, install apps and restore data from backup.

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Answer 3

BDAqua

Level 10

251,171 points

Oct 16, 2024 12:12 PM in response to nvhau

And yet the KB works fine if logged in? Or are you still locked out?

Do you have another KB to test? Even a cheap PC KB?

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Answer 4

nvhau Author

Level 1

5 points

Oct 16, 2024 8:45 AM in response to BDAqua

Thank you so much @BDAqua. I tried all the options that you suggested. But unfortunately, it is still not working. For the last option: I'm not fully clear about the last option ("lock lock icon icon"). I posted some images here that may give more detailed information.

You see I tried to change many keyboard layouts on the login screen but I could not input the "a, h, z, ..."

[Edited by Moderator]

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Answer 5

nvhau Author

Level 1

5 points

Oct 16, 2024 9:01 AM in response to nvhau

Sorry @BDAqua, the keys were not working above is wrong. This is a behavior of the keyboard on the login screen. I tried to change many keyboard layouts on the login screen but the keyboard is not working correctly. I don't know if the keys can input but it inputs the correct character or not. Some keys I could not input are "i p [ ] \ a d k l c m -" and pressing key "h" it will delete 1 character of the input.

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Answer 6

nvhau Author

Level 1

5 points

Oct 20, 2024 6:41 AM in response to BDAqua

@BDAqua

I have only one keyboard, and the issue only occurs on the reboot login screen. After you log in to the desktop, the keyboard works normally. I write the question on that keyboard after logging in.

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