For some, information technology'southward the MacBook keyboard that's non working; for others, information technology'southward the trackpad that'due south interim upwards. For a worrying number of people, the issue is with both. Worse even so, the problem doesn't seem to be affecting a detail type of MacBook just both Pro and Air models from 2011 onwards.

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Whether it's i cardinal or all of them, your MacBook is all but useless if the keyboard isn't working. Hither are a few things you can try to kick it back into life.

1. Clean the keyboard

That's right. Cleaning is really Apple's recommended fix for unresponsive keyboards. To make this work, you'll demand a can of compressed air and a straw to control the airflow. If you take those things, here are Apple tree's suggested steps:

  1. Hold your MacBook at a 75-degree angle.
  2. Use the compressed air to spray the keyboard in a left-to-right motion.
  3. Rotate your MacBook onto its right side and spray the keyboard again, from left to right.
  4. Repeat with the MacBook rotated to its left side.

At the very least, using compressed air rules out any crumbs or $.25 of debris being the cause of the Apple keyboard not working. Hopefully, though, it provides the ready you've been searching for.

ii. Check for updates

Is your system upward-to-date? It seems obvious, but there's every chance that outdated firmware, drivers, or even the operating system bear upon the keyboard.

To cheque for updates, open the App Store and click on the Updates icon. If updates are bachelor, click on the Update or Update All button to install them.

It's worth having your Mac check for updates automatically. You can exercise this by going to the Apple tree carte du jour > Nigh This Mac > Software Update and checking the "Automatically go along my Mac upwards to date" box.

3. Delete recent apps

Is the trouble a recent one? Has it occurred only afterwards downloading a new app? It's not unheard of for an app to cause conflict and knock other things out of sync. Try deleting contempo apps to see if the keyboard regains proper function. If it's doesn't work, you tin hands reinstall them.

You can delete applications manually in one of two ways: using the Launchpad and the Finder.

Deleting apps using the Launchpad

  1. Click on the Launchpad icon.
  2. Position the arrow over the app you lot want to get rid of and press and agree until all the icons starting time to jiggle.
  3. Hit the Delete push.

Deleting apps using the Finder

  1. In the Finder, click on Applications.
  2. Find the app that you want to delete and elevate information technology from the Applications binder to the Trash.
  3. Open Trash > Empty to permanently remove the app.

Deleting apps with CleanMyMac X

Removing apps manually is quick and easy, simply information technology's non comprehensive. Traces of the app can be left backside in files. To fully remove whatsoever trace of the app, CleanMyMac 10's Uninstaller feature is the best solution.

  1. Download and launch CleanMyMac X (It's free to download).
  2. Click on the Uninstaller tab.
  3. Click View All Applications.
  4. Check the box for whatsoever app that you lot want to remove.
  5. Click Uninstall.
Uninstaller module in CleanMyMacX

It really is as simple as it sounds.

What to practice if your MacBook trackpad is not working

The trackpad on MacBook is one of the all-time around, and information technology works brilliantly with macOS… When it actually is working, that is. If you're having trackpad troubles, piece of work your way through these possible fixes.

1. Reboot and shut the lid

This ane is a bit of a strange tip, only it's worked for a few people. It's basically the erstwhile "switch information technology off and back on once again" set up that works for anything and everything.

  1. Reboot your MacBook from the Apple menu.
  2. Once rebooted, close the lid to put your MacBook to slumber and leave it for 2-3 minutes.
  3. Open up the lid, and the trackpad should be working as normal.

This tip might also work for the keyboard, then give it a endeavor if your keys aren't working.

2. Disable Force Click

If a failure to register clicks is the problem for the trackpad not working on your Mac, y'all tin disable Forcefulness Click.

  1. Get to System Preferences.
  2. Click on Trackpad and locate the Bespeak & Click tab.
  3. Uncheck the "Force Click and haptic feedback" pick.

Note: this prepare will only piece of work on MacBooks that include 3D Touch.

three. Reset the Mac SMC

Resetting the Arrangement Management Controller (SMC) is a proven fix for all mode of hardware and power-related issues. How you practise this depends on whether or not your MacBook has a detachable battery.

Resetting the SMC on Macs with non-removable batteries:

  1. Close down your MacBook.
  2. Concur downward Shift-Command-Option.
  3. Proceed holding all three keys for 7 seconds. Then, press and hold the Power push as well.
  4. Concord all iv keys for 7-10 seconds.
  5. Release the keys.
  6. Reboot your Mac and test the trackpad.

Resetting the SMC on Macs with removable batteries:

  1. Shut downwardly your Mac.
  2. Remove the battery
  3. Printing the Power button and hold it for five seconds.
  4. Reinstall the battery.
  5. Turn on your Mac.

Resetting the SMC on desktop Macs:

  1. Turn off your Mac and unplug the power string.
  2. Expect 15 seconds, then plug the power string back in.
  3. Await 5 seconds, and then outset up your Mac.

Possible fixes if both MacBook trackpad and keyboard aren't working

If both the keyboard and trackpad are not working, your MacBook is nix more than a monitor, albeit a very pretty one. You tin utilise a Bluetooth or wireless mouse or keyboard, but you could have just bought an iMac instead if you wanted to practice that.

Here are some troubleshooting tips that have worked for dual keyboard and trackpad issues

one. Delete .plist files

Property List (plist) files are used to shop user preference files related to software. Deleting them volition reset your keyboard and trackpad dorsum to factory settings. Before you lot go ahead and do this, you should dorsum up your Mac using the Time Auto in case anything goes wrong.

  1. Press Command-Shift-G in the Finder.
  2. Enter ~/Library/Preferences/ and click Go.
  3. Locate the following files:
    • com.apple tree.driver.AppleBluetoothMultitouch.trackpad.plist - Magic Trackpad
    • com.apple.commuter.AppleBluetoothMultitouch.mouse.plist - Magic Mouse
    • com.apple.commuter.AppleHIDMouse.plist - wired USB mouse
    • com.apple tree.AppleMultitouchTrackpad.plist
    • сom.apple.preference.trackpad.plist
  4. Delete the files.
  5. Reboot your Mac.

two. Reset PRAM

Resetting Parameter RAM (PRAM) is like to resetting the SMC in that it'due south a adept prepare for a broad multifariousness is problems.

  1. Fully shut down your MacBook.
  2. Reboot your Mac and press and hold Command-Option-P-R.
  3. Wait until you hear the reboot audio or when the Apple logo appears and disappears for the second time and release the keys.
  4. Let the system reboot usually.

three. Restore system to an earlier signal

If bug with the keyboard and trackpad take recently appeared, you tin restore your Mac to a previous appointment using the Fourth dimension Car. The event could exist due to a recent system change, and a restore tin can repair information technology.

This method will require y'all to have Time Machine prepare to fill-in data to a storage device. We've written an article on how to do that here.

  1. Restart your Mac.
  2. When the arrangement restarts, printing Command-R to open the Recovery manner.
  3. Select Restore From Time Machine Backup. This will restore your Mac to 24 hours previous.

Each of these fixes has worked for ane or more MacBook users, so it'southward worth trying each 1 until you discover the solution. Once you've plant a ready, use CleanMyMac X regularly to maintain your system and prevent junk files from affecting keyboard and trackpad performance.

Stay in command of your Mac's activity

If none of that works, your Mac will need a more comprehensive checkup. This is possible if y'all ain a tool similar iStat Menus. Basically, it's an advanced Mac monitor that allows you lot to swoop nether the hood of your macOS. Using the app regularly is also a good way to forestall your keyboard and trackpad from misbehaving in the starting time place.

iStat Menus lets you lot control CPU and memory load, disk usage, disk action, fan sensors, battery life and cycles, weather, and so much more.

    In case you want a simpler version of a monitoring tool, use 1 Switch. It's a set of toggles available from the menu bar. Works perfectly for searching hidden files, enabling Slumber Fourth dimension or Dark Mode, etc.

    If the unthinkable happens and you lot're still experiencing problems, you might need to contact Apple tree Support or visit an authorized service provider for repairs — only hopefully, that's not the case.