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nrorg Author

Level 1

6 points

external mac keyboard not working with maverick on macbook air

I installed Mavericks 10.9 on a mid-2013 macbook air. The Apple external keyboard is no longer working from either usb port (external usb mouse does work, however, as does external firewire display). Reset PRAM and SMC to no effect. External keyboard and external monitor (firewire) were connected at time of installing 10.9 (no idea if this interferred with the setup). Any suggestions on how to resolve appreciated.

MacBook Air, OS X Mavericks (10.9)

Posted on Oct 23, 2013 6:44 AM

Top-ranking reply

Sean Mantey

Level 1

8 points

Posted on Nov 11, 2013 2:05 AM

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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129 replies

Nov 4, 2014 10:47 AM in response to nrorg

Had the same problem. I ended up using the extension usb cord that came with the keyboard and it worked.

Nov 22, 2014 4:45 PM in response to nrorg

Same problem here. Extension cable trick also works for me.

Mid 2010 iMac 21.5"

Hope Apple is paying attention to this issue, its obviously widespread.

Nov 23, 2014 5:59 AM in response to KlixDK

Well I'm on an iMac and it only has a 3-prong power cable, and I'm connected to a properly grounded outlet, so that's not the problem.

Nov 29, 2014 3:08 PM in response to nrorg

I am having this same problem. With my 2009 Mac Air and the last OS update. The only thing that seems to work is the power button. USB, Keyboard and trackpad all dead. Help!

RufTheD

Level 1

0 points

Dec 1, 2014 2:36 AM in response to nrorg

Can also add myself to the list. It works with the extension cord, but not directly... Don't know why, but I seriously need an answer! Getting pretty frustrated!

Jan 26, 2015 2:31 PM in response to daddykooled

@daddykooled mine started working again after a few days. Try upgrading and rebooting.

Jan 26, 2015 2:52 PM in response to tommycarstensen

Upgrading to what? I am running the latest version of OS X. And have tried rebooting countless times - both running on batter and plugged in to power. Still no luck.

Feb 2, 2015 4:43 AM in response to Mr Bassman22

Same thing. External usb Apple keyboard worked after I connected a camera on a USB port of the Book Air !

Now I use a hub !

Feb 2, 2015 4:48 AM in response to croquelapomme

By the way, I had also a problem with my clock which mentioned 15 mn ahead of time ; each time I started my Book Air.

Now, this bug seems to have disappeared !

Feb 3, 2015 10:59 AM in response to nrorg

Had the same problem with my MacBook Pro that suddenly the Apple USB Keyboard stopped working.

The use of the extension cable solved the problem.

TeeJen

Level 1

0 points

Mar 2, 2015 2:31 PM in response to nrorg

Add me to the list. Makes no sense but external keyboard stopped working and then tried the USB extender and keyboard now works. As mentioned previously not sure why Apple has not chimed in here.

May 15, 2015 4:12 AM in response to nrorg

Did anybody find an explanation why using an extension cord solves this problem most of the times?

I am dying to find out.

May 26, 2015 9:00 PM in response to nrorg

Same issue for the first time here this morning on a Mac Pro 4, 1 running 10.6.8, for what it's worth. Extension USB cable did the trick.

AFrehley

Level 1

0 points

Jun 23, 2015 5:44 PM in response to sennen_tr19

This happened with my personal Macbook at work, so I tried someone else's USB keyboard. It worked! Then I tried mine in their computer. It worked! ***? Oh well, we've swapped for now.

Jul 2, 2015 9:24 PM in response to nrorg

Wow what a bug.. Just attach any USB extension cord to your apple keyboard and it works again.

external mac keyboard not working with maverick on macbook air