The USB port on my keyboard doesn‘t work

If one of your Apple keyboard's USB ports don't seem to be working, these steps can help you troubleshoot the issue. Check the USB Basic Troubleshooting steps first and if these don't resolve the issue, move on to the step-by-step instructions.

Troubleshooting your Apple USB Keyboard Step-by-Step

If your keyboard USB port still isn't working after trying the steps in article 58033, try these steps, in order, until you've come to a resolution.

1. Unplug and replug the keyboard from the back of the computer. Make sure the USB port and plug are firmly connected.
2. Take the device that isn't working when attached to the keyboard, and plug it in to the other USB port of the keyboard. Test to see if it works there. If it does, unplug and replug the keyboard from the computer. Test both ports again. If the device consistently works in one USB port on the keyboard but not the other, skip step 2 and move on to step 3.
3. Take the device that isn't working when attached to the keyboard, and plug it in to the USB port directly on the computer. Test to see if it works there. If the device works when attached to the computer, but doesn't work when it's attached to the keyboard, it probably needs a powered USB hub to function.
4. Restart your computer and hold down the Option key on your keyboard while it starts up.
   

   

5. You should see a blue screen, called the Startup Manager, that displays two arrow buttons and your hard drive.
   

   

6. Test your mouse in the questionable keyboard USB port at this screen. It may be jumpy, but the mouse should work. Test the other port as well, for comparison. If your mouse doesn't work in just one keyboard port while in the Startup Manager and you've followed all the other troubleshooting steps, you will probably need to replace your keyboard. You can order the keyboard online. Order a replacement keyboard.
7. If your mouse works in the questionable port while in the Startup Manager but not after you start up your computer normally, software seems to be the cause of the issue. Follow these steps to fix the issue.
   
1. Insert the Software Install and Restore disc into your CD/DVD drive.
   

   

2. Shut down your computer.
3. Once it's off, hold down the C key on the keyboard and start up your computer. (You can let go of the C key when you see the big Apple logo on the screen.) This will start up the computer from the Software Install and Restore disc instead of your hard drive.
4. Now you want to use the Archive and Install feature of the Mac OS X installer. This kind of installation gives you a fresh version of Mac OS X, but you don't lose any data from the computer as your old information is all archived.