Macbook Pro keyboard and trackpad stopped working

[thingamajig102]

It's a MacBook Pro 13 (Early 2015). They don't even work inside the restore menu. However, the computer works perfectly using an external keyboard and mouse. It started working on its own one day and stopped again. Apple says the logic board is damaged due to dust and would set me back $500. What should I do?

 

[KeelinTy]

Have you tried clearing the PRAM? Damage due to dust? HAH. My ass. The only damage dust could do is clog the fan and if it's metallic dust like in a workshop, then it can cause actual damage from shorting something out but that's very unlikely.


To clear your PRAM,

1. Shut down your machine. Yes, all the way down, not sleep or logging out.

2. Press the power button and then press command-option-p-r. You have to make sure you get those keys pressed before the gray screen comes up or it won’t work.

3. Hold those keys down until your Mac reboots again and you hear the startup chime.

4. Let go of the keys and let your Mac reboot normally.

 

[Bob_164]

How can you reset the PRAM when the keys are not working. You need to hit the keys to reset the pram, and the keys don't work.

 

[tempaccount123]

How can you reset the PRAM when the keys are not working. You need to hit the keys to reset the pram, and the keys don't work.

trust me, if the power buttons work then the keys work also. its just out of whack. i just did this after buying this make yesterday morning and using another keyboard all day. i did what he said and now I'm typing for the 1st time with the mac keyboard. trust me just do it

 

[Nazanin_2]

The KeelinTy solution to reset the PRAM works great...for a good 5 minutes. After that, my keyboard and trackback become again unresponsive. Any other suggestions?

Connected external keyboard and trackback work perfectly.

 

[gregory.mackin]

I had a similar issue, I went to the Apple Store, the attendant told me he had reset the SMC with the keyboard (not sure he did or could) and I'd have to replace the topcase because it was likely water damage. I asked them kindly if they could check for something inside, to do so they unplugged the battery - (SMC reset) and now I am typing on the keyboard!

 

[csullens]

I had the exact same problem. Apparently the cable that connects the track-pad and keyboard needed replaced. The apple genius said it happens frequently enough that he knew right away what was wrong. They replaced the cable and now everything seems to be working. Set me back about $90. FYI - the power button goes through a different connection, which is why it still works.

 

[lgpang.1984]

I had the exact same problem. Apparently the cable that connects the track-pad and keyboard needed replaced. The apple genius said it happens frequently enough that he knew right away what was wrong. They replaced the cable and now everything seems to be working. Set me back about $90. FYI - the power button goes through a different connection, which is why it still works.

I have exactly the same issue. Have not went to fix it yet. Hope it is 90$ instead of $500. But I sm eondering whether this is a designing flaw

 

[freddysampayo]

Had the same problem, tried the following who doesn't work:

• 
  Disabling Filevault
  Resetting SMC
  Resseting PVRAM

What did work was deleting (or moving) some .plist files located under Library/preferences. Don't know exactly wich file, I just made a search for files containing "login". I get 7 files, move it outside that folder and it works. Writing this post from my original keyboard. I don't know if the problem will reapear but definetly the issue is located there.

 

[klintstrom]

Had the same problem, tried the following who doesn't work:

• 
  Disabling Filevault
  Resetting SMC
  Resseting PVRAM

What did work was deleting (or moving) some .plist files located under Library/preferences. Don't know exactly wich file, I just made a search for files containing "login". I get 7 files, move it outside that folder and it works. Writing this post from my original keyboard. I don't know if the problem will reapear but definetly the issue is located there.

Tried it and found 4 files. Removed them to my desktop and rebooted but it still freeze. If i’m lucky it ‘unfreezes’ after a few minutes.

 

[freddysampayo]

Sorry, the problem came back again after deleting login files.
Another thing I tried was restoring the Macbook Pro to a Time Machine point (I have one backup 45 days old). After doing a complete restore things go back to normal but that only last 2 days. The Autoupdate feature was on and it automatically updated from version 10.12.6 (16G29) to 10.13 (17A405). I suspect that update could cause the problem, so I used Time Machine again and go back to the same restore point (v.10.12.6), turn off auto-update (just in case) but the problem reappears as soon as the system was restored.

One weird thing that I noticed is that the problem seems that it gets worse with time, before the restore, the trackpad and keypad doesn't work at all, but after the restore, both work intermittently until both reach a point where it doesn't respond at all.

I'm 99% sure it has to be software related as when you enter system recovery for example, trackpad and keyboard work just perfect.

I'm still looking for the solution. Any recommendations?

 

[klintstrom]

Sorry, the problem came back again after deleting login files.
Another thing I tried was restoring the Macbook Pro to a Time Machine point (I have one backup 45 days old). After doing a complete restore things go back to normal but that only last 2 days. The Autoupdate feature was on and it automatically updated from version 10.12.6 (16G29) to 10.13 (17A405). I suspect that update could cause the problem, so I used Time Machine again and go back to the same restore point (v.10.12.6), turn off auto-update (just in case) but the problem reappears as soon as the system was restored.

One weird thing that I noticed is that the problem seems that it gets worse with time, before the restore, the trackpad and keypad doesn't work at all, but after the restore, both work intermittently until both reach a point where it doesn't respond at all.

I'm 99% sure it has to be software related as when you enter system recovery for example, trackpad and keyboard work just perfect.

I'm still looking for the solution. Any recommendations?

Yeah the problem came back. I think i’ve Found the source of my problem, I don’t think it’s a software problem. When my keyboard and mousepad stops working, I can pinch/squeeze the MacBook in the right side - with the screen open. I think it’s a loose connection or some dead pins. If I ‘pinch’ it in the left side, i get a black screen and a default “something went wrong” reboot.

 

[jenng980]

SAME thing is happening to me on my MacBook Air.

I've installed the latest version of the OS, PRAM and SMC reset like 80 times over the last 3 days and still nothing.

The trackpad and keyboard work intermittently after hard reboot SOMETIMES but most of the time is instantly stuck upon load, or gets stuck shortly after logging into the user.

About every 5th time it gets stuck a pop up tells me that it's searching for a bluetooth mouse/keyboard - even after i've disabled bluetooth and the 3 advanced settings within the bluetooth system.

I've had 5 different software engineers, 4 leads, look at this issue and the only thing anyone could think of doing was wiping the hard drive and starting from scratch.

There's no way this is hardware, the power-option-command-shift buttons all work to quickly turn off the system. I've read about this issue on a ton of forums and the following "solutions" are provided by random people:
1. Delete all the files on your desktop
2. Delete all the files from your downloaded folder
3. PRAM or SMC reset
4. Hardware problems per Apple
5. Stand on one foot and spin

It's all BS and this is a software issue. Apple needs to address this publicly or in a software update.

 

[jenng980]

MERGED QUESTION
Question from ijamesseo : "[Macbook Pro] Keyboard and Trackpad Unresponsive."

Hello,

I'm on a Macbook Pro 2015 Retina Display, which I got a couple months ago. Around two days ago, I noticed that while I was typing my password, it failed to register some keys, which was peculiar because I repeat the action several times per day without failure.

Then, I realised the trackpad stopped clicking sometimes. While flicking through my desktops, I noticed the Force Touch trackpad would not return the 'clicking' sensation back when I pressed.

Then, there were repetitions of my Macbook freezing on the login screen. It accepts any external keyboard/mice, but the internal trackpad and keyboard does not work. It would take me several restarts to allow me to use the Macbook again.

Sometimes it would also freeze whilst using the device too.

Now, the keyboard and trackpad does not respond at all. External peripherals still work.

What is strange is that the keyboard and trackpad do not work when the Macbook is on, but when I use the keyboard to boot into Single-user mode or Recovery mode or whatever, the keys that I use work just fine.

In single-user mode, it shows me lines upon lines of errors, then when it stops, I press a few keys, which gives an instant response on the screen with lines of text, the one line I'm able to comprehend saying

"Error: Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad _DoDescriptorRequestGated Failed Issue request error: [{numbers}]" or something alone those lines.

So, I know the keys do not work as keys, but the system can sense that they're being pressed. Same goes for the trackpad. When I touch the trackpad, it repeats the same process of pressing a key.

How can I fix this? Is this a software or hardware problem? I've read dozens of articles, and most recommend replacing the ribbon cable above the battery, as that seems to be what is causing the problem.

Any help is appreciated. Thank you.

EDIT: I just found out that the trackpad and keyboard do not work when the bottom of the Macbook Pro is in contact with a surface. If I move my Macbook so that the top lid is flat to the table/bed or whatever, and the bottom of the laptop is not touching anything, the trackpad and keyboard are functional. Is this a hardware issue, then? Because in Single-user mode, the keys are responded to even when the bottom lid is flat to the table. This hurts my brain.

http/www.tomsguide.com/answers/id-3239335/macbook-pro-keyboard-trackpad-stopped-working.html#20282346

SAME thing is happening to me on my MacBook Air.

I've installed the latest version of the OS, PRAM and SMC reset like 80 times over the last 3 days and still nothing.

The trackpad and keyboard work intermittently after hard reboot SOMETIMES but most of the time is instantly stuck upon load, or gets stuck shortly after logging into the user.

About every 5th time it gets stuck a pop up tells me that it's searching for a bluetooth mouse/keyboard - even after i've disabled bluetooth and the 3 advanced settings within the bluetooth system.

I've had 5 different software engineers, 4 leads, look at this issue and the only thing anyone could think of doing was wiping the hard drive and starting from scratch.

There's no way this is hardware, the power-option-command-shift buttons all work to quickly turn off the system. I've read about this issue on a ton of forums and the following "solutions" are provided by random people:
1. Delete all the files on your desktop
2. Delete all the files from your downloaded folder
3. PRAM or SMC reset
4. Hardware problems per Apple
5. Stand on one foot and spin

It's all BS and this is a software issue. Apple needs to address this publicly or in a software update.

 

[jenng980]

MERGED QUESTION
Question from Manch : "Macbook Air's keyboard and trackpad not working"

I recently had a big problem with the partitions on my MacBook Air. I still don't understand what happened but basically, I opened my mac and it had frozen on the login screen. I tried moving the mouse and it was unresponsive. I thought it had crashed or something so I held down the power button to perform a force restart. I had installed a windows partition on my mac using bootcamp so the mac booted into windows. I shut it down and held down the option key when powering on to selection my OS X start up disk. The disk selection screen did not even come up and it booted straight into windows. Other key combinations such as CMD + R or CMD + OPTION + R did not work either. I couldn't find any information online about my problem and decide to plug a windows keyboard in my MacBook Air. Miraculously this worked and I was able to hold down the windows key + R during boot to enter recovery mode. When I did this, a screen came up with an Apple mouse, suggesting me to power it on. Of course, I didn't have any mouse connected and didn't think I would need to connect one as it is a laptop. My trackpad wasn't working so I went and grabbed an external mouse to plug in and it worked.

The problem now is that the mac will only function with the external keyboard and mouse. The built-in keyboard and trackpad simple don't work anymore. Whenever I try booting the MacBook Air without an external keyboard or mouse plugged in, I get the same window suggesting my to power on an Apple mouse and keyboard. It seems like a driver related issue but I really have no idea.

I have already tried running internet recovery mode and it has not fixed the problem. I have also tried resetting the PRAM, as another forum suggested, but that has not worked either.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

http/www.tomsguide.com/answers/id-3239335/macbook-pro-keyboard-trackpad-stopped-working.html#20282346

SAME thing is happening to me on my MacBook Air.

I've installed the latest version of the OS, PRAM and SMC reset like 80 times over the last 3 days and still nothing.

The trackpad and keyboard work intermittently after hard reboot SOMETIMES but most of the time is instantly stuck upon load, or gets stuck shortly after logging into the user.

About every 5th time it gets stuck a pop up tells me that it's searching for a bluetooth mouse/keyboard - even after i've disabled bluetooth and the 3 advanced settings within the bluetooth system.

I've had 5 different software engineers, 4 leads, look at this issue and the only thing anyone could think of doing was wiping the hard drive and starting from scratch.

There's no way this is hardware, the power-option-command-shift buttons all work to quickly turn off the system. I've read about this issue on a ton of forums and the following "solutions" are provided by random people:
1. Delete all the files on your desktop
2. Delete all the files from your downloaded folder
3. PRAM or SMC reset
4. Hardware problems per Apple
5. Stand on one foot and spin

It's all BS and this is a software issue. Apple needs to address this publicly or in a software update.

 

[jenng980]

MERGED QUESTION
Question from apbhakta1 : "My keyboard and trackpad don't respond at on my MacBook Pro?"

It takes several restarts to get it to respond. I have re-installed the MacOs and wiped all the memory in hopes that it would help but no luck. It seems a problem that I have once a day. Or a prolonged period of no usage.

http/www.tomsguide.com/answers/id-3239335/macbook-pro-keyboard-trackpad-stopped-working.html#20282346


SAME thing is happening to me on my MacBook Air.

I've installed the latest version of the OS, PRAM and SMC reset like 80 times over the last 3 days and still nothing.

The trackpad and keyboard work intermittently after hard reboot SOMETIMES but most of the time is instantly stuck upon load, or gets stuck shortly after logging into the user.

About every 5th time it gets stuck a pop up tells me that it's searching for a bluetooth mouse/keyboard - even after i've disabled bluetooth and the 3 advanced settings within the bluetooth system.

I've had 5 different software engineers, 4 leads, look at this issue and the only thing anyone could think of doing was wiping the hard drive and starting from scratch.

There's no way this is hardware, the power-option-command-shift buttons all work to quickly turn off the system. I've read about this issue on a ton of forums and the following "solutions" are provided by random people:
1. Delete all the files on your desktop
2. Delete all the files from your downloaded folder
3. PRAM or SMC reset
4. Hardware problems per Apple
5. Stand on one foot and spin

It's all BS and this is a software issue. Apple needs to address this publicly or in a software update.

 

[racchoi85]

I tried the command + option + p + r after I shut my MacBook down, and then saw my screen turn this weird shade of aquamarine, and I totally freaked out and turned the power button back on. The Apple updating loading screen came up and then I was back to the home screen and logged in. I went back to this website and the "v" key isn't doing anything fishy. This might have actually worked!

 

[anasdilshad1]

You can use the latest app AudioSwift for macOS that allows to use your MacBook Trackpad as MIDI controller.

 

[akireenaj_22]

Have you tried clearing PRAM? Damage due to dust? HAH. My ass. The only damage dust could do is clog the fan and if its metallic dust like in a workshop, then I can actual damage from shorting something out but thats very unlikely.


To clear your PRAM,

1. Shut down your machine. Yes, all the way down, not sleep or logging out.

2. Press the power button and then press command-option-p-r. You have to make sure you get those keys pressed before the gray screen comes up or it won’t work.

3. Hold those keys down until your Mac reboots again and you here the startup chime.

4. Let go of the keys and let your Mac reboot normally.

It really helps thanks alot

 

[michal.petricko]

I had the exact same problem. Apparently the cable that connects the track-pad and keyboard needed replaced. The apple genius said it happens frequently enough that he knew right away what was wrong. They replaced the cable and now everything seems to be working. Set me back about $90. FYI - the power button goes through a different connection, which is why it still works.

I had the same problem, however the authorized service offered me to replace whole trackpad, battery, topcase and keyboard for 480€. So I rather ordered the flex cable from eBay for 15 € with postage and packing to Slovakia and fixed it myself in 20 minutes time.

Repair guide is on ifixit.com
https/www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Pro+13-Inch+Retina+Display+Early+2015+Trackpad+Replacement/45138

For a trackpad replacement just followed steps 1-7 and 17-20. It worked like a charm.