MacBook :: How To Login If Keyboard Not Working Oct 19, 2010. How do I resolve this chicken-and-egg situation? Use the Info window to ignore ownership on the connected drive. It could be a problem caused by the wireless keyboard... try turning that off or removing the batteries and then see if you can log in. Apple has admitted that there’s a flaw with their design and as long as your MacBook is recognized as one of the afflicted models (if your keyboard isn’t working, it probably is) then all you have to do is take your laptop to an Apple Authorized Service Provider, Apple Retail Store, or Apple Repair Center, and they’ll handle your MacBook or MacBook Pro keyboard replacement. Follow the on-screen instructions and you should be able to change your password and then log into your account. As a last resort, you can always purchase a replacement USB or Bluetooth keyboard – something that simply isn’t an option with a keyboard that’s physically built into your Mac. To further complicate the matter, the Apple Wired Keyboard does not … While you should be able to browse all files on the drive in Target Disk mode, there may be some times when you can’t do this, either because of permissions restrictions or because files are hidden. The first thing to check in this scenario is whether your keyboard is indeed working and is in a working condition. Looks like no one’s replied in a while. What to do if your Mac’s built-in keyboard stops working. Apple disclaims any and all liability for the acts, omissions and conduct of any third parties in connection with or related to your use of the site. In response to Staffdaman. Jan 3, 2014 4:06 AM in response to thomas_r. But I am … That way is Target Disk mode. Jan 3, 2014 3:15 AM in response to Staffdaman, Jan 3, 2014 6:10 AM in response to Staffdaman, Feb 2, 2015 5:46 PM in response to Staffdaman, User profile for user: When you’re finished accessing these files, hide your files again by using this Terminal command: defaults delete com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles; killall Finder. I can watch it happen on the keyboard viewer. Everything worked good until I logged out. Keyboard not working at Windows login screen Hi, Since yesterday I can't login on Windows because my laptop's keyboard wont work when password is required. You'd have a hard time using the Mac meaningfully after login without the letter 'e'. Q: Feb 4, 2015 7:32 AM in response to Neil_B Once rebooted, close the lid to put your MacBook to sleep and leave it for 2-3 minutes. Read further to get a resolution to this issue. More Launch System Preferences by clicking on the Apple logo in the Menu Bar. Is your MacBook not working? Check the USB port at the back of your Mac and make sure the keyboard's not been yanked out. I am afraid the it too will not work on the login screen. A final option for resetting your password is to use Apple’s recovery tools. To overcome this, you can select the drive mounted via Target Disk mode, press Command-I to produce the drive’s Info window, and enable the option to ignore ownership on the volume (at the bottom of the information window). Turn off Bluetooth or disconnect any connected keyboard. This discussion is a year old - did you ever find a solution? Viewed 13 times 0. The options I’ve mentioned will help you reset your password and log into your account. To use Target Disk mode, restart the Mac you wish to access and hold the “T” key when you hear the boot chimes. Add a comment . Select your boot drive in the utility that appears. Rep: 34.5k. If you still can't type the letter 'e', you probably need to contact Apple for evaluation and service. The login screen does not accept input from my keyboard when entering the password for my user. Note: When you purchase something after clicking links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. Copyright © 2021 IDG Communications, Inc. Turn the device off and on. Capital E works just fine. Ask Question Asked today. This seems to eliminate the issue most of the time. I'm having the same problem. Feb 3, 2015 6:50 AM in response to Neil_B Or you may simply forget what your password is, which can happen if you use a standard user account for daily tasks and haven’t touched the administrators account in awhile. While this account is generally hidden and inaccessible, you can quickly get to it for its administrative capabilities by booting your Mac into single-user mode. I am trying to pair the keyboard but when the screen asks me to enter the numerical confirmation code, the number keys on the keyboard do not work. I don't yet have a wireless keyboard but it is on order. Even though you can set up your Mac to automatically log into your user account without a password, your computer is going to be more secure if you use one. 49 . Stranger still, I can't enter the letter e using the keyboard viewer. Active today. The approaches I outline below depend on how much access to your Mac you currently have. In response to thomas_r. Fortunately, if you have lost your password, there are several approaches you can take for either regaining complete access to your Mac or, at least, getting to the specific data you need. To do this, click the lock icon in the Users & Groups system preferences to authenticate, and then click the account you can’t log into. If you have connected a faulty keyboard, of course, you will not be able to use it. The mouse works, however. To proceed you’ll need to know the short name of the account for which you would like to reset the password, and then perform the following steps: Restart your Mac and hold down Command-S at the boot chimes. It's with the wireless and normal keyboard... Jan 3, 2014 3:15 AM in response to Staffdaman OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5). Some users may experience issues with their keyboards not working as expected--possibly due to the Mouse Keys function being enabled on their Mac. There is no shortcut set to the letter e, and there are no accessibility settings grabbing that key, either. I'm guessing the Command-C I saw was the system grabbing the selected text in order to speak it. From here you can manually copy data from the drive or use Apple’s Migration Assistant or Setup Assistant tools to transfer your data. Change the connection. Reboot your MacBook from the Apple menu. Jan 2, 2014 10:54 PM in response to thomas_r. However, if you still can’t get into your Mac because of a lost or forgotten password there’s a way to get some of the data off of it. Choose your user account from the pop-up menu. How to Fix a Keyboard Not Working on Mac. In response to Staffdaman. It's not a hardware problem - it only happens on some accounts on the same machine (an old Core Duo mini running 10.6.8). Of course, there’s a slight danger that a day will come when that password doesn’t work—you’ve modified your Mac in some way that’s password-unfriendly or you’ve been negligent. Ideally you’ll never need to turn to these techniques. Posted: 11/19/2016. To manage hidden files, you can temporarily show all files in your current Mac’s Finder by running the following command in the OS X Terminal app: defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles -bool TRUE; killall Finder. All postings and use of the content on this site are subject to the. Now check if the keyboard is working. 2. Any ideas? Click the Input Sources tab. If you configure your Mac this way you can then log into the admin account and use the Users & Groups system preferences to change your main account’s password. Reece @reecee. Make sure the keyboard language you use is listed on the left-hand side. (If you instead see a Change button next to the Apple ID entry, your ID is already associated.). Do you see the same problem there? Options. I have a brand new Bluetooth keyboard (replacing an old one I spilt coffee on) and I would like to pair it with my iMac. This site contains user submitted content, comments and opinions and is for informational purposes only. Target Disk mode lets you access your Mac’s hard drive as an external drive, provided that you don’t have FileVault enabled or a firmware password set on your Mac. It's wise to try a different USB port if you have one available. Apple includes several options for resetting account passwords in OS X. In response to thomas_r. 2) Press the Shift, Control and Option keys on the left side on your keyboard and the Power buttons at the same time. Jan 3, 2014 4:06 AM in response to thomas_r. My numeric keyboard stopped, I complained to Apple and they refunded my money and said to dispose of it as I wanted, so then I reset up my Bluetooth keyboard which worked, then later on I plugged in the USB numeric keyboard and it worked,,switched off the Bluetooth wireless one so Mac did not keep searching for it, and tucked the wireless one in under the iMac. Log into your administrator account to change another account's password. You'd have a hard time using the Mac meaningfully after login without the letter 'e'. Cancel Post comment. I setup a user account during the installation. The approaches I outline below depend on how much access to your keyboard is not the login screen in... The content on this site are subject to the to this issue and log! 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