MacBook Pro Keyboard and Trackpad still not working after PRAM reset

[George Smith]

My MacBook Pro’s keyboard and tracking has stopped working properly again. Last time I was able to reset the PRAM and SMC, this time however, none of those methods have worked. The keyboard and trackpad still work on a hardware level as I can still press the power button on and what not. I’m also able to plug in external keyboards and mice into it

 

[jaslion]

My MacBook Pro’s keyboard and tracking has stopped working properly again. Last time I was able to reset the PRAM and SMC, this time however, none of those methods have worked. The keyboard and trackpad still work on a hardware level as I can still press the power button on and what not. I’m also able to plug in external keyboards and mice into it

What macbook is this? If it's one from the past 3 years then you have a hardware failiure on hand as this problem is quite common in them.

 

[George Smith]

It’s the 2015 MBP, I’ve heard there is a known defect with it

 

[jaslion]

It’s the 2015 MBP, I’ve heard there is a known defect with it

Yeah you are outta luck on that one. That ones keyboard and trackpad can easily be broken by a bit of dust that got inside it. You can try blowing some compressed air on the keyboard and see if it helps. That sometimes works but most often it doesn't and the keyboard/trackpad are dead.

 

[w4rchld]

From what I've read elsewhere, it's a small cable that runs from the trackpad to the motherboard that easily breaks on this model. It's happened to mine just now, hence my searching for a solution. A new cable is a tenner and you only have to unscrew a few screws to replace it, which I will be doing tomorrow. The cable wraps back over itself to go over the battery and it is a known issue that it fails. Apple are turning into MS more and more every year!

 

[birdieputt79]

After many unsuccessful attempts at PRAM reset, I got my keyboard and trackpad working again (perhaps only temporarily) by doing a PRAM reset with windows style external keyboard. I used my very old Microsoft Natural Wireless keyboard that connects to mac USB with a dongle.

Specifically:
> With my left hand, I held down Windows Key + Alt + R (couldn't reach P)
> tapped (not pressed) MacBook power button with right index finger
> then quickly held down P key in addition to the three others, keeping them held down while it booted

Don't want to get anyone's hopes up, just putting this out in case it helps someone.