MacBook keyboard typing symbols instead of letters

Question

Level 1

47 points

MacBook keyboard typing symbols instead of letters

My MacBook is currently running the Mac OS Sierra software. I started facing a few problems like loss of iTunes music, recovery disk showing as an option on startup, and the keyboard not functioning correctly. So I completely erased everything and re-installed Sierra. My keyboard is still typing symbols instead of letters. Space and caps lock won’t work. Onscreen keyboard turns caps lock on but not space bar. Keyboard settings is set to English aswell so I’m lost

Posted on Dec 5, 2017 4:36 PM

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Answer 1

Tom Gewecke

Level 10

122,118 points

Dec 5, 2017 8:14 PM in response to LizSharma

Try an external keyboard. If it works ok, the internal one probably needs repair.

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Answer 2

munkymajik

Level 4

1,505 points

Dec 6, 2017 2:45 AM in response to LizSharma

Have you spilled any liquids on the keyboard?

It looks like the option key is stuck on your laptop keyboard. Try to lift both the option keys up a bit and see if you can type whilst doing that.

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Answer 3

munkymajik

Level 4

1,505 points

Dec 5, 2017 6:48 PM in response to LizSharma

Go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Input Sources

Select the Layout you want.

Go to System Preferences > Language & Region > Keyboard Preferences... > Input Sources

Select the Layout you want.

If you don't see the one you want, press '+', bottom left corner.

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Answer 4

Tom Gewecke

Level 10

122,118 points

Dec 5, 2017 9:07 PM in response to LizSharma

What gets displayed when you type asdf?

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Answer 5

LizSharma Author

Level 1

47 points

Dec 5, 2017 9:50 PM in response to Tom Gewecke

The letters are working at the moment. My option key on the right, space bar and caps lock are not working. It’s different everytime my Mac is restarted. Usually my letters turn into these symbols like in the photo and there will be no way to change it

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Answer 6

LizSharma Author

Level 1

47 points

Dec 5, 2017 8:59 PM in response to Tom Gewecke

I have tried the above also which has not fixed this problem and I have also inserted a USB keyboard which works but still types the wrong symbols and letters. If I press caps lock on the external keyboard, my internal caps lock light comes on.

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