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Things to Know
- If your wireless keyboard won’t connect to Mac devices, it could just mean the Bluetooth service needs resetting, by switching it off and on again.
- You could also check accessibility settings like Slow Keys, as these aren’t compatible with all keyboards.
- It’s also worth checking that your Mac software is up to date.
Wireless keyboards are a game-changer for reducing desk clutter and letting you work pretty much anywhere. But if your favorite wireless keyboard won’t connect to Mac machines, don’t worry, it doesn’t necessarily mean the keyboard is broken.
Try these four fixes first before purchasing a replacement wireless keyboard.
Wireless Keyboard Won’t Connect to Mac Fix #1: Reset Bluetooth
Step 1. Head to System Settings > Bluetooth. You can also search for Bluetooth by pressing Command + Space to bring up the Spotlight Search box.
Step 2. Toggle the switch next to Bluetooth by clicking on it once. The toggle button will shift to the left and the background of the button will become grey.
Step 3. Wait at least two minutes, then toggle the Bluetooth switch back to “on.” You should see the keyboard in the list of available devices. Click on it to connect. If you’ve used the keyboard before, it should appear under “My Devices” and should connect automatically. Click on the name of the keyboard if it doesn’t.
Note: Make sure your wireless keyboard is switched on during this process.
Fix #2: Change Accessibility Settings like Slow Keys
Step 1. Check if you’ve accidentally switched on the Slow Keys function, which makes keys only work when you hold them down for a long time. Head to Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard.
Step 2. Find the option for Slow Keys and ensure it’s switched off. Try using the keyboard again to check if this fix has worked.
Fix #3: Re-pair Your Devices
Step 1. This fix is for when your keyboard has been working fine and then suddenly stopped working. Use the instructions from “Fix #1” to find your Mac’s Bluetooth settings again. Find the keyboard under “My Devices” and look for the “i” icon, which provides additional information.
Step 2. Click the “i” and click “Forget This Device.” Confirm that you want to do this.
Step 3. Turn off the wireless keyboard for a minute. Turn it back on, and wait for it to appear under the list of available devices.
Step 4. Click on the keyboard’s name and click “Connect” to re-pair the device and get back to work.
Fix #4: Update your macOS
Step 1. Out-of-date software can cause issues with wireless and Bluetooth connectivity. Check your macOS software is up to date by heading to Settings > General > Software Update.
Step 2. If an update is available, you can choose to update now or at a later time.
Other top tips include making sure your keyboard is fully charged, and testing it with another device to see if it’s a problem with the keyboard or the Mac itself.
As an avid gamer, I’ve run into my fair share of error codes and weird faults that have forced me to find fixes to problems I never anticipated. That gave me a passion for sharing those fixes with others so we can all game without feeling like our hardware is rebelling against us.