Unable to Reset MacBook Air

How To Do A Factory Reset

Selection A should be used on computers that came with Lion or later when factory new. These models had no disks included when new. Selection B is for Macs that came originally with Snow Leopard or earlier. These models shipped with Software Restore disks when new.

A. Factory reset of your Mac - Apple Support

B. Factory Reset Your Pre-Lion Mac

Follow these instructions until you get to Step 5 of Factory reset of your Mac - Apple Support. At Step 5 you will need a Snow Leopard DVD or the installer disc that came with the computer.

1. Boot the computer using the Snow Leopard Installer Disc or the Disc 1 that came with your computer. Insert the disc into the optical drive and restart the computer. After the chime press and hold down the "C" key. Release the key when you see a small spinning gear appear below the dark gray Apple logo.
2. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities' menu. After Disk Utility loads select the hard drive entry from the left side list (out-dented entry - mfgr.'s ID and drive size.) Click on the Partition tab in the Disk Utility main window. Set the number of partitions to one (1) from the Partitions drop down menu, click on Options button and select GUID, click on OK, then set the format type to MacOS Extended (Journaled), then click on the Apply button.
3. When the formatting has finished quit Disk Utility. Proceed with the OS X installation and follow the directions included with the installer.
4. If you are planning to sell or give your computer away, then do the following: After you reformat your hard drive and reinstall OS X, the computer restarts to a Welcome screen and asks you to choose a country or region. If you want to leave the Mac in an out-of-box state, don't continue with the setup of the system. Instead, press Command-Q to shut down the Mac. When the new owner turns on the Mac, the Setup Assistant will guide them through the setup process.

Make an appointment at the Apple Genius Bar for service. If you need to find an Apple Store - Find a Store - Apple. If you did not purchase it from Apple then you will need to look to the vendor for service or How to find your nearest Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) or Distributor (AAD).

Without any working keyboard, you are stuck where you are.

@dialabrain: Yes, I know but that might have been temporary. I've had that happen to me many times. Was just a matter of turning the keyboard on and off to get it syncing again. If the OP cannot do that then he will need to take it to Apple for repair, don't you think?

This is an Erase and Install. Is this what you need?

Internet/Network Recovery of El Capitan or Later on a Clean Disk

1. Restart the computer. Immediately after the chime hold down the (Command-Option-Shift-R) keys until a globe appears.
2. The Utility Menu will appear in from 5-20 minutes. Be patient.
3. Select Disk Utility and click on the Continue button.
4. When Disk Utility loads select the drive (usually, the out-dented entry) from the side list.
5. Click on the Erase tab in Disk Utility's main window. A panel will drop down.
6. Set the partition scheme to GUID.
7. Set the Format type to APFS (SSDs only) or Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)
8. Click on the Apply button, then click on the Done button when it activates.
9. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.
10. Select Reinstall OS X and click on the Continue button.

Note:

1. To install the version of OS X that was currently installed use Command-Option-R.

2. To install the original factory version when the computer was new use Command-Option-Shift-R.

I hesitate to bring this up but I have a similar problem with my iMac Pro. The timing of when to press the keys is so critical they rarely work. You could keep trying to "catch it" at the right time or go and get a $10+ wired keyboard. Best Buy, Staples, Amazon etc. have them for less than $20.

Doesn't work with my iMac Pro. I've already spoken with 4 senior advisors about the issue and they have posted an engineering ticket. FWIW, plugging the charging cable into the keyboard does work as well as using a wired keyboard. Thank you though.

Do you have a wired keyboard you can plug in? Any cheap USB keyboard will do. You can also try resetting the SMC: How to reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac - Apple Support

Kappy? His keys aren't working on startup.

I see. I don't know how to turn the keyboard on and off with a MacBook Air. Apparently restarting it isn't working.

Apple is now recommending you hold down the keys when turning on the power, and not waiting until the chime. This does work and requires less guessing.

I will never have an iMac Pro. Too much money and power for my needs. Of course, if it could cure my diabetes I'd buy two of them. 😁😁

Ouch. I just found out I have diabetes on my birthday last month. I can sympathize.

Eating too much, are you? That's what got me.