AJClark123

Q: Apple USB keyboard not working after installing El Capitan

I have upgraded to El Capitan on a 27" iMac late 2009, and it now does not recognise the Apple USB extended Keyboard. I have seen some comments online about  this, but was hoping someone on this forum might have a simple answer to fix this..

Thanks

iMac (27-inch Late 2009), OS X El Capitan (10.11)

Posted on Oct 21, 2015 4:31 AM

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Q: Apple USB keyboard not working after installing El Capitan

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  • by alex_h1,

    alex_h1 alex_h1 Oct 22, 2015 2:33 PM in response to AJClark123
    Community Specialists
    Oct 22, 2015 2:33 PM in response to AJClark123

    Hello AJClark123,

    Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.

     

    If your Apple USB keyboard is not working with your iMac, then I suggest that you follow through the directions below.

     

    Steps for a USB keyboard

    First, check your device’s USB connection. If the tips on that page don't fix it, try these steps:

    1. Unplug all devices from your computer, including any connected mouse, keyboard, printer, scanner, camera, iPod, external hard drive, and hub. (Note that some devices, like iPod, may require you to perform steps before it's safe to unplug them.)
    2. Plug your keyboard and mouse back into your computer firmly and securely. Make sure that the connector is completely in the port. (USB plugs fit into ports one way only, and won't plug in if you try to insert them upside-down.)
      Note: If you have a Magic Keyboard, also make sure your Lightning to USB cable is securely connected to the Lightning port on the back edge of the keyboard.
    3. If your keys still don't work, try plugging your keyboard in to the other USB ports. Be sure to try them all. Check to see if the keyboard's Caps Lock light turns on when you press it, and try typing in an app like Notes or TextEdit.
      Note: Magic Keyboard uses a Lightning to USB cable. Make sure the cable you're using is the one that came with the keyboard, or is a Lightning to USB cable you know is in working order. Try a different Lightning to USB cable to test whether the cable is causing the issue.

    If your keyboard works in one of your USB ports but not all, your computer might need service.

    If your keyboard doesn't work in any of your computer's USB ports, your keyboard might need to be replaced.

    If your wireless or USB keyboard doesn't work - Apple Support

     

    Take care.

  • by AJClark123,

    AJClark123 AJClark123 Oct 23, 2015 4:03 AM in response to AJClark123
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 23, 2015 4:03 AM in response to AJClark123

    Hi Alex_h1

     

    Thanks for replying, I had tried all of the points you mention before my post - should have mentioned that. I have since seen a lot of comments online (not on this forum) where there appears to be USB issues with El Capitan. I'm just surprised that a genuine Apple USB extended keyboard is an Item that does not work. The Key board is working fine on an un-upgraded MacBook Pro, and all USB ports work OK with other items, just that the apple keyboard is totally un-recognosed, it does even come up in the list of items plugged into the USB ports.

     

    Hopefully there is another fix that will make my Mac see sense and recognise it's own keyboard - The wireless origin l works OK, but I use numbers a lot hence using the extended keyboard.

  • by bdizajn.sk,

    bdizajn.sk bdizajn.sk Oct 23, 2015 4:54 AM in response to AJClark123
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Oct 23, 2015 4:54 AM in response to AJClark123

    Hello. I have updated my MacBook Pro retina middle 2014 and my external apple USB genuine keyboard not working too. I have tried USB ports and they work fine with other devices but macbook cant recognize USB keyboard. Im using my macbook most of the time with external monitor with macbook closed so external keyboard is my only way to input and my keyboard is not even one year old.....

  • by bdizajn.sk,Helpful

    bdizajn.sk bdizajn.sk Oct 23, 2015 8:06 AM in response to AJClark123
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Oct 23, 2015 8:06 AM in response to AJClark123

    OK i find the solution for now. Apple keyboard have aditional usb cable so if you connect the keyboard to extension cable and connect it to notebook keybord work fine but without extension cable dont. Hope you will figure out the problem soon so I can use my keyboard without extension cable.

  • by AJClark123,Solvedanswer

    AJClark123 AJClark123 Oct 23, 2015 8:08 AM in response to bdizajn.sk
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 23, 2015 8:08 AM in response to bdizajn.sk

    Hi

    Thanks for the update - I was looking through all my cables for a double ended USB (most of mine have mini USB at one end) but saw update 10.11.1 come in, updated and the USB keyboard is back in action...

     

    So if you install this El Capitan update it would save you having to use the extension cable.

  • by bdizajn.sk,

    bdizajn.sk bdizajn.sk Oct 23, 2015 9:30 AM in response to AJClark123
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Oct 23, 2015 9:30 AM in response to AJClark123

    Unfortunately my keyboard stopped working after latest update that i make today. So I must wait to another one. But still I can work with extension cable till update.

  • by resnyc,

    resnyc resnyc Oct 23, 2015 10:22 AM in response to AJClark123
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 23, 2015 10:22 AM in response to AJClark123

    I had the opposite experience.  USB keyboard worked fine on 10.11, now is dead after update to 10.11.1.   This same thing happened randomly a few times with 10.10, and then I tried all kinds of things and then it suddenly worked again - until now.  Yes, it's an Apple keyboard, and it's a late-2013 iMac.  Totally inexcusable, Apple.

  • by biancarockr,

    biancarockr biancarockr Oct 31, 2015 3:37 PM in response to resnyc
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 31, 2015 3:37 PM in response to resnyc

    I don't think its a keyboard problem, its an USB problem, very big one! I cant backup anything using my external HD because the file transfer simply freezes. It was working good with 10.11, now 10.11.1 is giving me this huge headache! Apple, fix this asap, please!

  • by bushwick2002,

    bushwick2002 bushwick2002 Nov 13, 2015 12:21 PM in response to biancarockr
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Nov 13, 2015 12:21 PM in response to biancarockr

    I'm having this issue as well. I have the latest version of El Captain installed on my MBA. Once the computer goes to sleep and wake up, the official Apple USB Keyboard does not work. I tried the left and right side USB ports. I thought the keyboard is defective and purchase a new Apple USB Keyboard but same issue. Any ideas? It seems to work after doing a full shutdown and then power it back on but any heavy sleep will cause it to stop working.

  • by AJClark123,

    AJClark123 AJClark123 Nov 17, 2015 12:36 AM in response to AJClark123
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 17, 2015 12:36 AM in response to AJClark123

    Having thought this issue was resolved by one of the updates - I have now found that the keyboard just stops working on random occasions and rebooting, re-connecting the USB etc does not make it come back on line.

     

    I cannot understand how apple have not fixed this issue which concerns a genuine apple keyboard - cheap independent ones work, but my expensive Apple extended keyboard is becoming more of a hinderance as when it stops I have to get out other keyboards and connect them to finish my work - If Apple look at these post - come on guys get this sorted.

  • by Dana_171,

    Dana_171 Dana_171 Jan 28, 2016 7:37 AM in response to AJClark123
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 28, 2016 7:37 AM in response to AJClark123

    I've had this same problem, and I'm not finding a solution. Wired Apple USB keyboard stops working on startup. I've tried several Apple keyboards and this issue persists. If I leave the computer shut down for 8 hours or so, on restart it works fine without changing anything. VERY frustrating as it's obviously an El Capitan OS problem. I've run DiskUtility, reset PRAM, tried all ports, powered USB hub etc.

     

    Has anyone seen a fix since the last post here in November?

     

    Thanks

    -Dana