external mac keyboard not working with maverick on macbook air

The keyboards are garbage.

They changed the design.

Basically if you strip one down you will see at the top edge right in the middle they have a membrane connector that turns & folded 90 degree back on its self.

This is hard against the aluminum, which bends top to bottom, no support other than plastic back., the connector then micro cracks the silver conductors, which make & break conenction randomly.

Now it works for a few months , now it does not.. Simply moving of flexing the KB or an impact can cause it to go.

Also they will not replace, one apple shop told me the "serial number" was the model number.

I pointed out that 2 different KB had different serial numbers, they said it was old model & new model, the serial numbers are also NOT in the apple database.... oh what a surprise.....

I have a late 2013 imac running the latest El Capitan. My brand new extended USB keyboard stopped working with the computer. Genius Bar had no idea what was happening so they replaced the new keyboard with another new keyboard. I had been doing PRAM restarts with no positive effect. I took the computer in and we could not reproduce the problem by restarting and shutting down and restarting.... so they did a reformat on the computer reinstalling the OS and the computer was wiped clean. Took it home and after 3-4 weeks the keyboard issue was back not responding. So I found this thread... THANK YOU. The new USB keyboards you buy now have a short extension cord. I tossed that aside not knowing why it was there... I had it the whole time. The Genius Bar did not tell me I needed it. I thought it was for plugging in OTHER THINGS and not for the keyboard... so I feel dumb. Why does the extension fix it? Why did the Apple people not know of it to tell me? Why did Apple Care on the phone not ask me about the extension? Also why is the communication within the company to the customer so bad on this issue? This computer was very expensive like 3000 dollars and I would expect better communication and knowledge of this issue that is seemingly becoming rampant.

I have a late 2013 imac running the latest El Capitan. My brand new extended USB keyboard stopped working with the computer. Genius Bar had no idea what was happening so they replaced the new keyboard with another new keyboard. I had been doing PRAM restarts with no positive effect. I took the computer in and we could not reproduce the problem by restarting and shutting down and restarting.... so they did a reformat on the computer reinstalling the OS and the computer was wiped clean. Took it home and after 3-4 weeks the keyboard issue was back not responding. So I found this thread... THANK YOU. The new USB keyboards you buy now have a short extension cord. I tossed that aside not knowing why it was there... I had it the whole time. The Genius Bar did not tell me I needed it. I thought it was for plugging in OTHER THINGS and not for the keyboard... so I feel dumb. Why does the extension fix it? Why did the Apple people not know of it to tell me? Why did Apple Care on the phone not ask me about the extension? Also why is the communication within the company to the customer so bad on this issue? This computer was very expensive like 3000 dollars and I would expect better communication and knowledge of this issue that is seemingly becoming rampant.

Hi! I have done all the resets that in this post the people suggest and nothing works. However, after I use the extention of the USB my keyboard works fine. So, I talked with my IT guy in my office and he suggest the next thing:

After we plug any USB device (USB Memories or Keyboards) the machine install drivers in our computers to control our devices. Therefore, if we erase this driver (the one that creates for our wired keyboard) and plug again the keyboard, that should works because the mac will create a new driver so our keyboard will work again.

Therefore, is there any User that can show me were are this drivers (USB, Keyboards, screens) so I can erase them and try this solution?

My IT do not have a mac that why he is no able to help me with this (He is a Linux and windows user). Please let me know.

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 here. Mid 2013 Macbook Air running Mavericks will not recognize Apple USB keyboard. Billing my client for repeatedly unplugging, waiting 30 seconds, and plugging back in!

No idea about the Bluetooth keyboard... But try to connect your keyboard using an usb-extension... Worked fine for me. But I have no clue why....

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 😟

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.

Same problem here. Mid 2013 MBA, up-to-date Mavericks and external Apple USB keyboard. Very frustrating.