IMAC KEYBOARD
 

I am using a iMac computer. This morning several of the letters on the keyboard are not working! So I have reverted to an old keyboard from my days with Microsoft. For the most part there is little difference but I would like to get back to my iMac keyboard as soon as possible. Any hints or tips please.

AARON O'DICKYDIDO

If the other keyboard does work, the iMac keyboard may have gotten damaged in some way. Any fluid spills or accumulation of crumbs between the keys? There's not much I can think of that would solve this, apart from shaking all the crumbs out, letting it dry out (if fluid may be involved) and trying again after a reboot of your Mac. If the problem persists you may need to invest in a new keyboard.

Try turning the keyboard upside down and shaking it. If that doesn't help, as Jhieminga says, you may have to invest in a new keyboard.

Memo: don't spill coffee on your keyboard. Water can be dried out but coffee leaves a nasty residue.

On the Mac keyboards, they are designed that you can remove the individual keys if they get dirty and don't work. Simply prise up the duff key from either side and clean underneath ,and bingo it should work! Honest!!!

As the others have said, but perhaps also try vacuuming the keyboard with the hand held attachment (on a lower power rating!). It is suspicious that several of the keys are suddenly not working. Are they all in a cluster ?

SHJ
Yes they are in a cluster; k, i, l, o.

I have removed the keypad but the 2 piece bits unde neath also came away on all the keys! How do they go back together? Is it worth trying if the keys do not work when pressing the button underneath the keypad? I have tried the Apple recommended method (Via PREFERENCES) of seeing if they work, but they do not. Looks like £129 to be spent on a new one!

AARON

There is a repair guide for an Apple Wireless Keyboard here: https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Repairi...ying+it./30578

If your keyboard is of similar construction, I would happily cough up the dough for a new one, as I would not want to embark on such a repair! It may be worth trawling the ifixit guide for a similar instruction for your keyboard but I did not spot all the Apple models on it.

Compressed air canister for a quick blow out?

Do you remember spilling anything on the keyboard ? A mug of whatever, a little movement and a splash onto a small area of said keyboard, it can happen. As to the way the tressle goes together, you'd have to look up some helpful video on YT for example. Clean the underneath with a cloth to see if there's some dried liquid affecting the area. Buttons back on successfully and if it doesn't work, then either 2nd hand, new or aftermarket is the way to go.

Thanks for all the help. In the end, after trying all the above, without success, I am today, collecting a brand new one. At £129.00 a bargain !!

Aaron.

Jeez!! But then that's Apple prices!!

Sorry to hear you didn't manage to solve it, but if the iMac in question wasn't very new i'd have gone for an aftermarket replacement, as the prices for said products aren't keenly priced!