external mac keyboard not working with maverick on macbook air

My external USB keyboard was fine, for a week after upgrading to Mavericks, then stopped working on one MBA 2012 port.

It still works on the other port and, after some experimentation, I've found it works on the other port if I plug it in via an extension cable or hub.

Really frustrating!

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Hi all,

My solution to this problem was the following:

https://www.zigpress.com/2014/12/30/has-your-apple-mac-external-usb-keyboard-sto pped-working/

Basically, I use a powered USB hub and with that my external keyboard works consistently. Previously, I had to repeatedly plug it in and out although sometimes even that continuous fiddling wouldn't be enough.

HTH.

Cheers,

Giovanni

Same issue, today after upgraded, keyboarder stopped working, and due to this I could not restart the system because I could not input my password...login to guest account, then use the soft keyboarder to restart.

Okay, several times inserting/releasing the usb plug and restart the system, still not works....

Finally I use one very cheap usb hub, then works...

What is it means... I could not understand...

Same problem here. No solution so far

I have the same problem and I am not aware of any solution so far.

same problem. logitech usb mouse works. CM storm mechanical USB keyboard doesnt. LEDs light up when I plug in but nothing happens 😟

Same, only mine was working, fine and then just disconnected itself. I happen to have two apple external corded keyboards so I swapped, and still nothing. It's rejecting their own keyboard. maddening.

I recently purchased the latest Macbook Pro with Retina display. I am unable to use my external Apple keyboard with this machine, but it works on my homebuilt tower.

Me three. The text entry keys work on the USB keyboard, but none of the control/ command/ function/ option keys do. (Which is useless if you want to use ANY keyboard shortcuts.)

Does this have something to do with keyboard preferences and security stuff (about what is allowed to control the computer functions?) In my keyboard prefs only the text keys are lit up; all the other keys are grayed out.

Same thing here with Apple wired USB keyboard. It worked great under Snow Leopard, then Lion, then Mountain Lion but with Mavericks... I get it working from time to time but after many disconnect/connect operations. Really frustrating!

I have a new MacBook Pro with retina, 1TB SD, external 27" monitor (3 years old but works just fine). I plug my apple wired keyboard into the usb of the monitor and the monitor into the Thunderbolt socket of the MacBook. Most of the time I can not detect the external keyboard. The only way around it is to disconect the keyboard, wait about 2 minutes, plug it back in again and I can use it. It does not help if I just disconnect the whole display complete with keyboard by unplugging the Thunderbolt connector and putting it back in again.

It's not the end of the world but 'something' must fix this **** neusance! Any ideas anyone??

Facing the same issue. I recently installed Mavericks on a mid 2013 mba. My external Apple keyboard worked for a while until it decided otherwise.

I observe the same results than Sean Mantey, when using the keyboard via a powered hub (e.i. it works).