USB Keyboard Plugged into Monitor Often Doesn't Work

So getting a longer monitor cable will fix this? Seriously?

No a monitor cable, a USB cable to the keyboard. I was one of the original poster's on this thread experiencing this problem for well over a year. Two weeks ago I finally tried what I thought was the world's stupidest solution: using the USB extension cable with the keyboard. I had refused to believe that was a possible answer. But I can say after two weeks of use (I connect and disconnect my closed Air at least twice a day to a TB monitor with USB keyboard) the keyboard has worked EVERY TIME when plugged into the TB monitor's USB hub with the extension cable.

While its a weird and inexplicable solution (seriously, an extra two feet of cable adding signalling latency???) I can confirm it has worked for me. I guess I should stop trying to believe I'm smart and just listen to other people's solutions more often 😉

Cheers,

--Kaz

I share a workstation with my partner, he has no issues with the keyboard, but I was going to buy a new bluetooth one just for me, because it was really frustrating.

My fix: while everything is plugged in, in place and on, unplug the cinema display from the power outlet, & plug back in.

so far this is the only consistent fix for me

I see the same problem on the MacBook Pro 2016 (USB C) with the LG 24" USB C display and Apple USB keyboard and wired mouse. I'm using a USB-A to USB-C adapter cable with the keyboard which is not sufficient to resolve the problem. Unplugging the cable on the back of the monitor and plugging it back in always works to get the keyboard/mouse recognized.

I'm having this issue with a brand-new mid-2017 MacBook Pro 13" USB-C to Thunderbolt Display 27". I never had this issue ever with my 2013 MacBook Pro 15" Retina. AHHH driving me nuts! What's worse is that unplugging the keyboard and plugging it back into the same port doesn't work, I have to alternate which port it's plugged into on the monitor, then it works fine. Power cycling the display doesn't help.

APPLE PLEASE, THIS IS EXPENSIVE STUFF FIX IT.

You mention issues with a USB keyboard connected to your Thunderbolt display, do you also have anything plugged into the keyboard? If so unplug all devices from the keyboard and see if it helps.

In my case I was inadvertently trying to draw too much power from the USB port on my keyboard (and indirectly the display). The USB ports on your MacBook Pro can provide upto 2000 mA each, the USB ports on the Thunderbolt display can provide upto 500 mA each and the ports on the Apple USB keyboard can provide only 100 mA. Moving my Wacom tablet from one of the USB ports on the keyboard to a separate port on the Thunderbolt display has resolved the problems I was experiencing.

For fuller details see:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3524526?answerId=17541133022#17541133022

Andrew

I have exactly the same problem with my Macbook Air and the Thunderbolt display. Not only is the USB keyboard unrecognized when I first plug my Air into the display, but neither is the ethernet cable. The ethernet used to work, but no more. Unplugging and replugging the keyboard fixes its problem, but the ethernet seems to be gone for good!

This is sounding like a serious problem. The question is, is it a hardware problem or a software problem?

If it's hardware, I want my money back. This is the same sort of nonsense I had to put up with in my age-old Lenovo and Windows. I don't expect to have to deal with it from Apple.

I have this issue as well. The only thing I have found to resolve the problem is to plugin the monitor and let it turn on, then unplug it and wait for everything to transfer back to single display and plug it back in a second time.

It's somewhat annoying but it beats rebooting my macbook pro.

I really hope they resolve this issue soon!

MBP 15" late 2011 2.2GHz 8GB ram Lion 10.7.3 with 27" TBD having same issues with loosing Apple Extended Keyboard connected to display USB but will get it back by simply unplugging and replugging. This is an intermittent problem. Also occurred with a mouse which I started using USB on the MPB direct in closed clam shell mood. Mouse has been working fine now. I also have two hard drives connected to the display one USB and one Firewire. Have also used USB on display to sync and charge iPhone all seem to work and so does keyboard for great lengths of time. Then it will occur loss of keyboard for no apparent reason either in the middle of surfing or coming out of sleep. Apple Care advised plugging keyboard to MBP direct to isolate that it is not a bad keyboard as well as trying update and resets. They also advised that they are working on it. I have updated software for display so that isn't it. So far keyboard is doing fine connect directly to MBP and not the display as it was design for as a dock unit. We will see and report results, just did this earlier today.

Hopefully they will resolve issue so we can use our Thunderbolt Displays as docks as they were design to do!

If anyone has similar experiences do share.

Dave,

I have had the USB keyboard not working problem with both the current and last revision of the MacBook Air. I have changed the keyboards, tried connecting direct to the MBA or through the external display. It doesn't matter how I do it, 50% of the time (probably more) the Keyboard is not available. The only resolution I have come to is to unplug it and plug it in again. This issue has existed for at least 12 months (since my first MBA) and all devices are up to date on firmware.

If anyone has an update please let me know.

All though I have a MBP 15" and Thunderbolt Display, I believe my problem is related to this string. After connecting my keyboard and mouse directly to the MBP in clam shell mood I have had no problems with those items. The HDs and iPhone I have used with the USB port on the display seem ok although it is tougher to tell if they have issues. So my keyboard or mouse must not be the problem it must be the USB on the display.

In my current set up I have no USBs available other that what is on the display. So, problem is not solved.

Last I talked to Apple Care they were investigating the issue. Bought system Dec 2011.

Wish I believe Apple would let me know of a firmware update on my display.

Dave,

I too have the same problem -- MBP and Thunderbolt display. When re-docking, USB keyboard won't come up. I haven't found a reliable way to resolve the problem, although eventually I can get the keyboard to come up. It sounds from this thread that this is a widespread problem? Any updates from Apple?

Brett

Same problem. Keyboard + mouse plugged into display, takes a lot of unplugging + replugging to get them to recognize when 27" thunderbolt display is plugged into MBP. I assume it's being worked on, as it's a fairly common use case.

Same problem. (Thunderbolt Display + USB keyboard + late 2011 MacBook Air)

Same problem here, very annoying. Macbook air + 27" Thunderbolt and a single USB keyboard connected to the display. Not the way $5K of electronics is supposed to work.