external mac keyboard not working with maverick on macbook air

I don't understand why just adding a short USB extension cable works, but it does. In my case id found a short (9") USB extension cable, plugged my keyboard into it and the extension into the Thunderbolt monitor. No more problems with the Mac not seeing the external keyboard. Wht this works makes no sense to me. Maybe someone smarter than me can 'splain it.

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!

Thanks, pal!

I was facing the same issue — Apple USB keyboard attached to MBA Mid2013 with Mavericks (latest updates installed so far) was iether working or not. It`s a real puzzle to figure out the logics it starts working. Have just tried extension cord and it`s working fine now.

Experiencing similar problem on Macbook Pro 13" Retina late 2013.

Had a chat today with Apple Support and they recommended doing SMC reset (not the PRAM reset). I have a feeling this solved the issue, but really need to use it for couple days to test if this really solved it.

SMC reset on my Macbook Pro with non-removabale battery:

Macbook has to be off, mag-safe adapter plugged in.

Press and release at once Left Shift + Control + Option + Power Keys.

If you doing it correctly you'll see the magsafe indicator on the cord changes color.

More info on SMC reset here:

Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac - Apple Support

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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.

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).

I'm having a similar issue. Macbook Pro, running 10.9. If I completely shut down the system, I can plug in a wired/usb apple keyboard after boot and it is recognized.

If I unplug the keyboard, that's the end. I try plugging the keyboard into the port on the left or right side of the laptop, it will not get recognized.

If I plug in my coworkers PC keyboard, it is recognized and it works.

Add me to the list of folks haing issues with an extermal USB keyboard on Marvericks. In my case I have the Apple keyboard connected to a Thunderbolt Display. I never had an issue with the keyboard not being recognized until upgrading to Mavericks. Now, more often than not, when I connect my MBP Late 2011 to the display, I can't get the keyboard to work unless I unplug it for 20-30 seconds then reconnect it. Sometimes I have to repeat this 2 or 3 times for it to finally start working. USB attached harddrive works fine. As someone said, not the end of the world but extremely frustrating. BTW, in my case, rebooting does not cure the problem. The only thing that seems to work is unplugging the keyboard a bit then reconnecting.

I've just tried it with an extension cable too and what do you know! It now works. I've had some minor communications with Apple about this and they have said if I take the keyboard back to the shop I bought it from they will exchange it.

So next time I'm in, I will...

I had the same problem with a brand new mac book air. One day the external keyboard worked and the next it didn't. Follwing the advice above I connected a short USB extension cable and it works! Thanks to whoever first identfied this fix, although I do wonder about how they ever thought to try this.

I can confirm that connecting the Mac USB (new) keyboard via a USB hub makes the keyboard work, whereas a direct connection does not work. (new MacBook Pro Retina 15", Mavericks)

Does anybody know if this USB issue could be related the laptop freezing when trying to wake it up after the screen locks or it sleeps?