Macbook Pro Keyboard Issue

Dogman

Yukon Cornelius
Moderator
SoSH Member
Mar 19, 2004
15,177
Missoula, MT
Keyboard is not working. Trackpad works fine. Power button, shift, control, option, command keys work. I just can't type in a password.

Didn't spill anything on it. Tried cleaning it.

Bought in fall 2017. MacBook Pro Retina 11 inch.

Any ideas?
 

Seven Costanza

Fred Astaire of SoSH
SoSH Member
Apr 11, 2007
3,016
Assuming you have either a 12 inch MacBook or a 13 inch MacBook Pro (both 2017 models have the same keyboards): https://support.apple.com/keyboard-service-program-for-mac-notebooks

The butterfly keyboards Apple used in these computers is hot garbage and caused tons of issues for folks. Over the last year Apple has gone back to old scissor switch keyboards across their laptop line to much rejoicing.

Although based on your description- it may be something else. The keyboard issues I'm referring to would affect one (or a couple) of individual keys- not the entire keyboard itself I would think.

You have a bluetooth or USB keyboard around (w/ dongle)? Any chance you can see if that works?
 

Couperin47

Member
SoSH Member

Rudi Fingers

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 18, 2005
1,845
Adianoeta
The fact that *none* of your keys (the letter keys, other than shift, command, etc.) work makes it unlikely that it's one of those "single key stuck because of the bad design of the Mac butterfly keyboard" issues.

I'm thinking it may be configuration based, and a reset of the NVRAM and PRAM could do the trick. One of the settings that MacOS uses, and stores in those "non-volatile" areas of memory during shutdown, could potentially be causing the issue. It's a go-to step, beyond a full power-down and power-up (you've done that by pushing and holding down the power key, right?)

Instructions from Apple themselves are at https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204063

(and yes, the instructions involve holding down keys upon boot, when you are telling us that the keyboard does not work. I get that, but if it's config, option-command-P-R should work upon boot-up)
 

johnmd20

mad dog
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 30, 2003
61,996
New York City
Keyboard is not working. Trackpad works fine. Power button, shift, control, option, command keys work. I just can't type in a password.

Didn't spill anything on it. Tried cleaning it.

Bought in fall 2017. MacBook Pro Retina 11 inch.

Any ideas?
This used to occasionally happen on a Mac I got in 2016. Just out of nowhere, the keyboard didn't work.

Rebooting the computer fixed it 100% of the time. I hope you have similar success.
 

mattrobot

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 16, 2005
117
New Hampshire
This happened to me once on my 2013 MBP, where shift, caps lock, etc. worked but not the letter and number keys, and somehow I had enabled slow keys (system preferences > accessibility > keyboard). Once I shut that option off, everything was back to normal. Hope your problem has a similar simple solution.
 

Dogman

Yukon Cornelius
Moderator
SoSH Member
Mar 19, 2004
15,177
Missoula, MT
Thanks for the responses.

I couldn't get past the password screen so I couldn't access system preferences.

I brought it to a local guy to look at and this is what he said:

I confirmed your machine was functioning correctly with an external keyboard and then booted into an external drive. This means it's not a software issue. Next, I opened up the back, cleaned and re-seated all cables that connect the keyboard. No luck.

3 potential problems:
1. cable which connects the keyboard to main logic board is fried.
2. Keyboard itself is fried
3. logic board is fried

If cable $150 to fix. If Keyboard $350. If logic board, not worth it.

He thinks there is a slim possibility it is covered and he knows how to approach for a refund if he can fix it. He said he would take care of approaching Apple about it and deals with them all the time. This is a guy I know who owns a Mac repair shop in town. I trust him.

At any rate, this blows.