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The Alt/Option key is the one you use if you wish to select a boot partition when starting the computer, you also press it when typing certain characters on your keyboard, such as # (Alt-3). When your Mac powers up, it normally uses the system on its internal hard drive unless you change this behavior by choosing System Preferences@@→Startup Disk. You can also change what your Mac does by holding down the following keys or key combinations during startup. Print these boot option keys, because they’re particularly helpful to have.
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You generally buy a MacBook because you want a quality laptop that’s easy-to-use and doesn’t suffer from bugs or hardware failures. So it’s truly disheartening to discover that there have been a slew of MacBook keyboard issues plaguing recent models.
Update your macOS. Your keyboard may not be working because your operating system is not up to. Start or restart your Mac and immediately press and hold shift on your keyboard. Release the shift key when you see the login window. You can leave safe mode by restarting your Mac without pressing any keys during startup. Startup Manager: option (alt) The Startup Manager lets you choose a different startup disk during boot.
![Option Key On Mac Air Option Key On Mac Air](https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macos/highsierra/macos-high-sierra-launchpad-delete-app.jpg)
Is your MacBook Pro keyboard not working? You’re not alone. Lots of users have been experiencing issues with their Apple butterfly keyboards as well.
![Where is option key on mac air Where is option key on mac air](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/_annTPGBcsB4/SULGgWAx4ZI/AAAAAAAABSA/BRPGoVapuo0/s400/n1412730097_30039715_3590.jpg)
Naturally, Apple is working to fix the problem in upcoming models of MacBook Pro and MacBook Air, but if you’ve bought one in the last few years, unfortunately, those fixes aren’t going to help you.
Let’s find out the steps you need to take to fix your MacBook keyboard quickly.
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Why Is Mac Keyboard Not Working?
Daewoo nano silver air conditioner manual. Before you can fix the problem, first you have to determine exactly what the problem is. There are a few possible issues that could lead to your MacBook keyboard not working.
One thing to note is that a MacBook keyboard isn’t like most other keyboards on the market. Instead of using a scissor-like mechanism, MacBooks feature a proprietary Apple butterfly-like keyboard with a slightly different design.
Ever wondered how Apple laptops are so slim? Part of that is the butterfly keyboard mechanism. Whereas most keyboards’ scissor mechanism provides tension on keys so that they click back into place once you finish typing, Apple designed a minimal switch as slim and elegant as a butterfly — hence the name.
Unfortunately, the butterfly keyboard is also just as fragile as a butterfly too. If even one spec of dust gets under a key and into the mechanism, it can lead to problems like a key repeating, sticking, or not registering hits at all.
It’s one thing if your Z key sticks occasionally. It’s another if your spacebar won’t work. Thus, fixing your MacBook keyboard can’t be put off for very long once it’s stopped working.
How do I fix a MacBook keyboard or MacBook Pro keyboard?
The short answer is: not you. The longer answer is an authorized Apple dealer will fix your MacBook Pro keyboard for free.
In some rare cases a blast of compressed air could clear the dust from the keyboard. Even though it won’t do the job for most, it’s worth trying since a can of air only costs a few dollars. But don’t expect salvation.
Apple has admitted that there’s a flaw with their design and as long as your MacBook is recognized as one of the afflicted models (if your keyboard isn’t working, it probably is) then all you have to do is take your laptop to an Apple Authorized Service Provider, Apple Retail Store, or Apple Repair Center, and they’ll handle your MacBook or MacBook Pro keyboard replacement.
It’s worth noting, however, that Apple created this service program after three class-action lawsuits. There were a lot of users with a Mac keyboard not working, and if they hadn’t taken action this fix would cost hundreds of dollars.
Part of the problem is that it isn’t simply a matter of replacing a single key on the butterfly keyboard — the entire MacBook keyboard has to be replaced, making it a fairly significant repair job. It can take up to five days before the shop is able to get the right parts and make the replacement.
Remember: Before taking your computer into the shop, always back up its most important data — even if you have to use a USB or Bluetooth keyboard to get it done.
MacBook or MacBook Pro trackpad not working?
The MacBook trackpad is one of the best on the market. Responsive and precise, it’s a dream to work with… at least, when it’s working correctly.
If you find your MacBook trackpad not working, there are a few steps you can take.
1. Turn it off and on again
It’s true that restarting something is an ongoing joke most of the time, but it’s also great advice. Try rebooting your MacBook and see if that clears up the issue.
While you’re at it, close the lid when you shut your laptop down as well. For some reason many Mac users have reported this solves their MacBook trackpad not working issue.
2. Disable the Force Click option
In some cases, if your MacBook Pro trackpad isn’t working, you can try to disable Force Click to fix the issue:
- Open System Preferences in your Applications folder
- Click Trackpad
- Navigate to the Point & Click tab
- Uncheck the Force Click option
Note: This fix will only work for MacBooks with 3D Touch, but it’s relatively easy to do and worth a shot.
3. Reset the System Management Controller (SMC)
A lot of bugs and performance issues can be solved by resetting your Mac’s System Management Controller. There are two ways of doing so. For Macs with a non-removable battery:
- Shut down your MacBook
- Plug in your MagSafe adapter
- Press and hold down: Shift, Control, Option, and the power button
- If your MagSage adapter changes color, you’ve reset the SMC
If your MacBook has a removable battery:
- Shut down the laptop
- Remove your battery and MagSage adapter
- Hold the power button for 10 seconds
This simple reboot can take care of many of your Mac’s problems. It’ll reset some options like the time it takes for your MacBook to go to sleep when left idle, but it won’t change any truly important settings.
MacBook Pro keyboard and trackpad not working?
If both your MacBook keyboard and trackpad aren’t working, then there are a few possible problems that might be causing the issue: hardware and software. Here are a few more tips to test before taking your MacBook into an Authorized Apple Service Provider.
1. Delete .plist files
It’s possible that somewhere along the line your software settings have changed and contributed to keyboard and trackpad malfunction. Try setting them back to their factory defaults by deleting your .plist (or “property list”) files.
- Back up your computer with the Time Machine fist
- Open Finder
- Press ⌘ + Shift + G
- Enter ~/Library/Preferences/ into the new bar and hit Go
- Find and highlight these files:
com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothMultitouch.trackpad.plist
com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothMultitouch.mouse.plist
com.apple.driver.AppleHIDMouse.plist
com.apple.AppleMultitouchTrackpad.plist
com.apple.preference.trackpad.plist
- Delete them and reboot your Mac
2. Reset PRAM
Studio one pitch shift. Getting your Parameter RAM back to zero is a useful way of removing prescient glitches from your system:
- Shut down your MacBook
- Reboot, but while the computer is booting press and hold ⌘ + Option + P + R until the gray screen appears
- Free movie the wishmaster 4 in hindi. Release the keys after you hear the reboot sound
3. Restore your Mac to an earlier version
If your keyboard or trackpad issues have just started, it’s possible that a recent change in software or settings has caused the problem. To fix it, just roll back your Mac a few saved backups:
- Restart your Mac
- While the system is rebooting, open the Recovery Tool by pressing ⌘ + R
- Choose Restore from the Time Machine backup
- Proceed according to instructions
How to prevent software issues on your Mac
Truth is not every issue with your MacBook is a hardware problem. Sometimes software conflicts can arise and create irritating, persistent issues that you don’t know how to resolve. So instead of trying to figure out what’s going wrong with your Mac, get CleanMyMac X to do it for you.
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Option Key On Mac In Windows
Software problems might cause keyboard misbehavior. Get CleanMyMac X and it will help you keep your Mac healthy, always.
CleanMyMac X is by far the best Mac maintenance app on the market with a whole range of tools, including a full-system cleanup, a professional uninstaller, malware scanner, a file shredder, and an ever-updating set of optimization tweaks. If malware is to blame for whatever is happening with your Mac:
- Open CleanMyMac X
- Navigate to Malware Removal in the sidebar
- Click Scan and delete anything suspicious if found
Of course, the best treatment for your Mac overall is prevention — using thoughtful analysis to see premonitions. For that, just download iStat Menus and you’ll be able to monitor your Mac’s performance in real time effortlessly.
iStat Menus shows you exactly when your computer starts slowing down. Designed to sit in your menu bar and give you detailed rundowns at a glance, this optimization utility is bar none when it comes to knowing what’s happening with your machine.
Option Key On Mac Air
Best of all, both CleanMyMac X and iStat Menus are available for a free seven-day trial from Setapp, a platform with over 150 Mac apps that make your digital life a breeze, from creating backups to working with documents to managing your finances. And if CleanMyMac X has just helped you avoid a MacBook Pro keyboard replacement, why not try it out?
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In Mac OS X, to type many common diacritics and accentmarks, you can use the
Option
key. For others, you mayneed to switch keyboard layouts or install additional fonts. You canuse the Keyboard Viewer with both methods to see what characters youcan currently type.Option key combinations
This table shows the most common keystrokes for typing accentedcharacters. Keystrokes with the
[letter]
placeholderrequire two sets of keypresses; first, type the Option
keycombination, and then type the letter you want to modify.Keystroke | Character |
---|---|
Option-e [letter] | acute (e.g., á) |
Option-` [letter] | grave (e.g., è) |
Option-i [letter] | circumflex (e.g.,ô ) |
Option-u [letter] | |
Option-n [letter] | tilde (e.g., ñ ) |
Option-q | oe ligature ( œ ) |
Option-c | cedilla ( ç ) |
Option-Shift-/ (forward slash) | |
Option-1 (the number 1) | upside-downexclamation point ( ¡ ) |
Keyboard layout configuration
To configure additional keyboard layouts in Mac OS X 10.5 or later:
- From the Apple menu, select System Preferences...
- In System Preferences, from the View menu, select Language & Text (10.6 and later) or International (10.5).
- From the Input Sources tab (10.6 and later) or Input Menutab (10.5), in the list of languages and keyboard layouts, check theones you would like to use. If you would like to use the KeyboardViewer, check it near the top of the list. For details, see Using the Keyboard Viewer.
- Close System Preferences.
Once you have chosen other keyboard layouts, a flag will appear on theright side of the menu bar representing the current layout. To use adifferent layout, click the flag, and then select it from thepull-down menu. In 10.6 and later, if you click Keyboard & CharacterViewer, but no additional languages, it will display theCharacter Viewer icon instead of a flag.
Using the Keyboard Viewer
You can use the Keyboard Viewer to see how modifier keys and differentkeyboard layouts affect the characters you type:
- From the Apple menu, select System Preferences...
- In System Preferences, from the View menu, selectLanguage & Text (10.6 and later) or International (10.5).
- Select the Input Sources tab (10.6 and later) or InputMenu tab (10.5), and then check Keyboard & CharacterViewer (10.6 and later) or Keyboard Viewer (10.5). A flag or theCharacter Viewer icon should appear in the menu bar in theupper right corner of your screen. The type of flag you see depends onthe default language you select.
- Click the new icon in the menu bar, and from the menu that dropsdown, select Show Keyboard Viewer.
The
Keyboard Viewer
windowcontains a virtual keyboard that shows the characters associated withdifferent keys. Here, you can see what characters are created when youhold down modifier keys like Option
, Shift
,and Command
. Many fonts in OS X contain special characters for additionaldiacritics. To access these special characters:
- Within the application you are currently using, open the Fontpanel (usually from a Show Fonts option in the application'smenus).
- Click the gear widget button:
- From the menu that appears, select Characters...