Squillace
Level 1 (8 points)
Mac OS X

Q: Keyboard issue typing password on lock screen

Hi,

 

Since 3 or 4 days ago, I'm having issues entering my account password on the lock screen. Certain keys need to be pressed two or three times to validate the character. Not all of them and it seams to be random. I don't remember changing anything special in the OS options. It suddenly started messing that way.

 

I use a Magic Keyboard 2 on a 5K iMac 27" with Sierra up to date. Battery is currently 97% full.

 

Using the keyboard anywhere else in the OS don't present any problems, as well as coming back from a closed session and entering the password again.

 

I already tried to disconnect and un pair the keyboard, no success.

I also tried to turn off Handoff, wondering if any Bluetooth conflit could be the cause. No success either.

 

Does anyone experienced this?

 

 

Thanks a lot.

iMac with Retina 5K display, macOS Sierra (10.12), null

Posted on Oct 4, 2016 8:38 AM

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Squillace

Q: Keyboard issue typing password on lock screen

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  • Helpful answers

  • by jameson.h,

    jameson.h jameson.h Oct 5, 2016 11:06 AM in response to Squillace
    Community Specialists
    Oct 5, 2016 11:06 AM in response to Squillace
    Hi Squillace,

    I see that you're seeing some delayed input when typing in your user account password. I'd like to assist with getting this working normally again.

    As a first step, I recommend that you try starting up in safe mode:
     
    Try starting your Mac in Safe Mode. Restart your computer. Hold the Shift key when you hear the startup sound. Release the Shift key when you see the Apple logo appear. This starts your Mac in Safe Mode. Safe mode performs a directory check of your startup disk, and removes some cache data. After your Mac finishes starting up, restart your Mac normally (without holding the Shift key) and see if the issue is resolved.

     


    Once you're done, follow the steps in the section titled "How to test with another user account". This will help to isolate the issue further.

    How to test an issue in another user account on your Mac - Apple Support


    All the best!

  • by Squillace,

    Squillace Squillace Oct 5, 2016 1:32 PM in response to jameson.h
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 5, 2016 1:32 PM in response to jameson.h

    Hi Jameson,

     

    Thank you for your help. Unfortunately the problem persist.

     

    - I tried to boot in Safe Mode. Keyboard works fine here, I can type my password without struggle.

    - After regular boot the keyboard presents the same issue as before...

    - I then tried to create a test account and log on it. Same problem happening.

    - Logging off and back on my main account also produce the problem.

    - After this I boot on Apple Diagnostic mode. It found zero problems.

     

    So... here I am.

    Even if it's not a handycaping problem, it's a little annoying, so the only solution I found to avoid this is temporarily use auto login.

     

    Again, thank you for your help.

  • by Allen A,

    Allen A Allen A Oct 5, 2016 1:45 PM in response to Squillace
    Community Specialists
    Oct 5, 2016 1:45 PM in response to Squillace
    Thank you for giving those steps a try! Since the issue seems to be resolved while using safe mode but comes back after you restart, please follow the instructions here as a next step:
     
    If you restart your Mac normally and an issue comes back when you reach your desktop, try disabling any login items that automatically open when you log in.

     

    Try safe mode if your Mac doesn't finish starting up - Apple Support

  • by Squillace,

    Squillace Squillace Oct 5, 2016 1:49 PM in response to Allen A
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 5, 2016 1:49 PM in response to Allen A

    Thank you Allen.

     

    The thing is... my problem occurs BEFORE reaching the desktop. On the lock screen. And I guess there aren't any login items at this stage... After getting the desktop the keyboard works fine everywhere and all the time.

  • by jeremy_v,

    jeremy_v jeremy_v Oct 5, 2016 2:02 PM in response to Squillace
    Community Specialists
    Oct 5, 2016 2:02 PM in response to Squillace
    Due to the nature of your issue you may find more information by using another one of Apple's support resources or contacting Apple Support directly at the link below:

    Contact Apple Support

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Oct 5, 2016 4:36 PM in response to Squillace
    Level 9 (50,379 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 5, 2016 4:36 PM in response to Squillace

    Back up your Mac if you have not done so already. To learn how to do that read https://www.apple.com/support/backup/. To learn how to use Time Machine read Use Time Machine to back up or restore your Mac.

     

    You already did everything reasonable to solve the problem, but before you give up, I suggest reinstalling macOS according to the following: How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support. Scroll down to "If you're reinstalling for other reasons" and skip Step 2 (because you don't want to erase your disk).

     

    After the installation is complete, you will be asked to choose your language (English, probably). Corruption in that operating system area could cause the problem you're experiencing, in which case reinstalling OS X should fix it.

     

    If not, go ahead and contact Apple to have your Mac evaluated for a possible hardware problem: Contact Support