Posted  by 

Mac Keyboard Cleaner

For some it’s the MacBook keyboard that’s not working, for others, it’s the trackpad that’s acting up. For a worrying number of people, the issue is with both. Worse still, the problem doesn’t seem to be affecting a particular type of MacBook but both Pro and Air models from 2011 onwards.

Clean Screen Wizard Microfiber Screen Protector and Screen Keyboard Cleaning Kit, 3 Cloths Keyboard Covers and Sticker Cleaner for MacBook Pro 13, MacBook Air 13, Laptops 13in Grey 4.4 out of 5.

How to clean your white Mac keyboard, because you know it's driving you crazy. From Penelope Loves Lists, the best website for the neatfreak in you. Use disinfectant wipes to clean the surface of your keyboard. This deep-cleaning action can be the most rewarding part of cleaning your laptop keyboard. Cleaning with disinfectant gets rid of any spills, stains, and especially dirty crevices. This will also get rid of unseen germs and bacteria. How to clean your Apple cables, keyboards, mice, trackpads, and more. If you don’t have these items on hand, it’s definitely worth picking them up. They don’t cost much and you’ll get a lot of mileage out of them. Microfiber cloths (having some thin and some thick is handy) Canned air or a manual blower. Screen cleaner or eyeglass cleaner. Mac OS X only: Keyboard Cleaner is a donationware application that kills all of your keyboard input and blacks out your screen so that you can clean up your keyboard without sending errant. First, remove each individual key to your keyboard gently, then, clean off the keys and the inside with a mixture of soap and water on a q-tip. When finished, place your key back onto the keyboard. Repeat this step for your entire keyboard, making sure to be gentle when you remove and replace the keys back on.

See what’s draining your battery, find hidden files, and track tons of indicators that impact your Mac’s performance. It’s all on Setapp.

Download Free

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

1. Clean the keyboard

That’s right. Cleaning is actually Apple’s recommended fix for unresponsive keyboards. To make this work you’ll need a can of compressed air and a straw to control the airflow. If you have those things, here are Apple’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 to 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 bits of debris being the cause of the Apple keyboard not working. Hopefully, though, it provides the fix you’ve been searching for.

2. Check for updates

Is your system up-to-date? It seems obvious, but there’s every chance that outdated firmware, drivers, or even the operating system, is affecting the keyboard.

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

It’s worth having your MacBook check for updates automatically. You can do this by going to System Preferences > App Store and checking the “Automatically check for updates” box.

3. Delete recent apps

Keyboard Cleaner Mac Download

Is the problem a recent one? Has it occurred only after downloading a new app? It’s not unheard of for app to cause conflict and knock other things out of sync. Try deleting recent apps to see if the keyboard regains proper function. If it’s doesn’t work you can easily 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 Launchpad icon.
  2. Position the pointer over the app you want to get rid of and press and hold until all the icons start to jiggle.
  3. Hit the Delete button.

Deleting apps using the Finder

  1. In the Finder, click on Applications.
  2. Find the app that you want to delete and drag it from the Applications folder to the Trash.
  3. Go to Finder > Empty Trash to permanently remove the app.

Deleting apps with CleanMyMac

Removing apps manually is quick and easy, but it’s not comprehensive. Traces of the app can be left behind in files. To fully remove any trace of the app, CleanMyMac X’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 any app that you want to remove.
  5. Click Uninstall.

It really is as simple as it sounds.

What to do if your MacBook trackpad is not working

The trackpad on MacBook is one of the best around and it works brilliantly with macOS… When it actually is working, that is. If you’re having trackpad troubles, work your way through these possible fixes.

1. Reboot and close the lid

This one is a bit of a strange tip, but it’s worked for a few people. It’s basically the old “switch it off and back on again” fix that works for anything and everything.

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

This tip might also work for the keyboard so if your keys aren’t working give it a try.

2. Disable Force Click

If a failure to register clicks is the problem for the trackpad not working on your Mac, you can disable Force Click.

  1. Go to System Preferences.
  2. Click on Trackpad and locate the Point & Click tab.
  3. Uncheck the Force Click and haptic feedback option.

Note: this fix will only work on MacBooks that include 3D Touch.

3. Reset the Mac SMC

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

Resetting the SMC in MacBooks with non-removable batteries

  1. Shutdown your MacBook.
  2. Connect the MagSafe adapter.
  3. Hold down Shift+Control+Option and the Power button at the same time.
  4. Release the keys and look to see if the MagSafe adapter briefly changes color. If it does, the SMC reset has worked.
  5. Reboot your Mac and test the trackpad.

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

If both the keyboard and trackpad are not working, your MacBook is nothing more than a monitor, albeit a very pretty one. You can use a Bluetooth or wireless mouse or keyboard, but if you wanted to do that you could have just bought an iMac instead.

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

Targets any single enemy rank. Move Forward 3. Slither: Usable in Ranks 2, 3, or 4. Deals a moderate-large amount of DMG. Dmg mod darkest dungeon.

1. Delete .plist files

Property List (plist) files are used to store user preference files related to software. Deleting them will reset your keyboard and trackpad back to factory settings. Before you go ahead and do this, you should backup your Mac using the Time Machine 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.driver.AppleBluetoothMultitouch.trackpad.plist - Magic Trackpad
  • com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothMultitouch.mouse.plist - Magic Mouse
  • com.apple.driver.AppleHIDMouse.plist - wired USB mouse
  • com.apple.AppleMultitouchTrackpad.plist
  • Com.apple.preference.trackpad.plist

4. Delete the files.

5. Reboot your MacBook.

Best Mac Keyboard Cleaner

2. Reset PRAM

Resetting Parameter RAM (PRAM) is similar to resetting the SMC in that it’s a good fix for a wide variety is issues.

  1. Fully shut down your MacBook.
  2. Reboot your MacBook and press and hold Command+Option+P+R before the gray screen appears.
  3. Wait until you hear the reboot sound and release the keys.
  4. Let the system reboot normally.

3. Restore system to an earlier point

If problems with the keyboard and trackpad have recently appeared you can restore your Mac to a previous date using the Time Machine. The issue could be due to a recent system change and a restore can repair it.

This method will require you to have Time Machine set up to backup data to a storage device. We’ve written an article on how to do that here.

  1. Restart your MacBook.
  2. When the system restarts, press Command+R to open the Recovery Tool.
  3. Select Restore From Time Machine Backup. This will restore your Mac back to 24 hours previous.

Each of these fixes have worked for one or more MacBook users, so it’s worth trying each one until you find the solution. Once you’ve found a fix, use CleanMyMac regularly to maintain your system and prevent junk files affecting keyboard and trackpad performance.

Stay in control of your Mac’s activity

If none of that works, your Mac will need a more comprehensive checkup. This is possible if you own a tool like MacPilot. Basically, it’s an uncomplicated version of Terminal that allows you to dive under the hood of your macOS. Walking fortress balam dmg. Using the app on a regular basis is also a good way to prevent your keyboard and trackpad from misbehaving in the first place.

Best Keyboard Cleaner

MacPilot covers 1,200+ features — all of them accessible from one handy window. Whether you use the app for macOS activity monitoring or to investigate keyboard and trackpad issues, you’ll appreciate the help:

  • See advanced data about each of your files, including the hidden ones;
  • Reset DNS cache and clear the print queue;
  • View and manage login settings;
  • Monitor battery and network use.

In case you want a simpler version of a monitoring tool, use One Switch. It’s a set of toggles available from the menu bar. Works perfectly for searching hidden files, enabling Sleep Time or Dark Mode, etc.

How To Clean Mac Keyboard

If the unthinkable happens and you’re still experiencing issues, you might need to contact Apple Support or visit an authorized service provider for repairs — but hopefully, that’s not the case.

These might also interest you:

Cleaning apple keyboard
Text Size

Is your Apple keyboard looking a little sticky these days? Does your screen have more spots than you feel comfortable with? Then it’s time for a cleaning session.

Apple products aren’t exactly like other types of keyboards or displays, so not all of the same cleaning rules apply. Before you start, let’s walk through the best ways to clean up your keyboard and display, and what you should avoid.

(These tips work well for MacBooks as well as independent displays, although you may have to clean both the display and keyboard both at the same time for best results.)

How to Clean Your Apple Keyboard Safely

Mac Keyboard Cleaner App

  1. Unplug Your Keyboard and Shake It Out

    Unplug your keyboard first for safety – in fact, it’s a good idea if you take your keyboard away from your desk entirely so you won’t bump or damage your other accessories by accident.

    If you use one of Apple’s wireless keyboards, remember to remove the batteries first and set them aside before you begin.

    Turn your keyboard upside over the trash and give it a light shake to remove any obvious bits of debris.

  2. Stay Away from Cleaners, Grab Water

    It may seem counter-intuitive, but you shouldn’t use any cleaners on your Apple keyboard.

    Likewise, stay away from solvents, acids, and basically any chemicals. Don’t use any cleaner, natural or store-bought. There’s a chance they could seep down into your keyboard and damage delicate components waiting there (this is also a good reason to try to avoid spilling anything on your keyboard).

    So, stick with plain, clean water. A small bowl is all you need, or a nearby faucet.

  3. Pick the Right Cleaning Instrument.

    Don’t use anything abrasive on your keyboard – so stay away from hard sponges and any rough “scrubbing” materials. These could rub off the letters on your keys and cause other damage, which is never cool.

    Instead, pick out a clean, lint-free cloth for your work. The lint-free part is important for two reasons.

    [amazon_link asins=’B06X3VYTKC’ template=’ChromaProductCard’ store=’idropncom0a-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’ef295588-9cbf-11e8-b66e-13b637af6278′]

    First, little bits of lint can get caught around your keys or maybe even trapped underneath some keys, which can cause additional problems. Second, lint is often a sign of some static charge. You really don’t want to use any cloth that can build up a static charge while you are cleaning your electronics, since there’s a chance it could damage sensitive components.

  4. Clean Carefully

    Get your clean cloth a little damp with water, and thoroughly wash the outside of your keyboard. Obviously, you will want to pay close attention to the keys themselves and the space between them, where most of the grime tends to gather.

    If you hit a spot that doesn’t come out easily, don’t switch materials: Instead apply increased pressure until it is slowly removed.

    Apple keyboards are generally quite easy to clean and you should be able to get all the stains off.

    When you are finished, set the keyboard aside for 20 minutes or so that it can dry out, and then reconnect it to your computer!

How to Clean Your Mac or MacBook Display Safely

  1. Unplug Everything

    Detach all of your accessories from your Apple display (if you are cleaning this at the same time as your keyboard, that’s already done!), and unplug anything else that may be connected.

    When that’s done, unplug your display from its power and from the computer itself, if possible. Leave it totally isolated. This is just a simple safety step to make sure nothing bad happens.

  2. Choose Your Cloth Wisely

    Now comes the tricky part. Do you still have the smooth felt cloth that came with your Apple Display? That is easily the best cloth to use for this project. However, if it’s been a while since you bought your display, there’s a good chance that the cloth may have become…misplaced.

    If that’s the case, scrounge around in your electronics drawer and see if you have any more of these smooth cloth wipes. They tend to come with a lot of display-oriented technology, so there’s a chance you may have hoarded a few in the past for just a time like this. If there’s no luck on that front, find the softest, smoothest cloth you can. You don’t want any scratches on the Retina screen, right?

  3. Use a Display Cleaner Spray When Possible

    Water can work when cleaning your display as long as you make sure there is no residual moisture left on the screen. However, for particularly dirty displays or a more thorough cleaning, you need to get a dedicated screen cleaner.

    [amazon_link asins=’B001E6BC6U’ template=’ChromaProductCard’ store=’idropncom0a-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’89276610-9cbe-11e8-95e1-c3722dda9ac3′]

    Whatever you do, don’t use just any cleaner lying around. You should be especially careful to avoid cleaners that have acetone, ammonia, or any type of solvents. Avoid using any type of window cleaner or house cleaner. These sprays may damage your display, especially if used over time.

  4. Start Wiping!

    Never spray water or cleaner directly onto your display. You can’t really control where the spray goes, and there’s a chance that some can leak into the components and cause damage there.

    Instead, apply any cleaners to the cloth and start wiping the screen.

    Start at one corner, work your way down, and continue moving up and down. A gentle, straightforward wiping motion should be sufficient to clean your display.

    Remember to keep a side of your cloth dry to wipe off all of the moisture when you are done.

Macbook Pro Keyboard Cleaner

Read Next:How to Easily Convert Video Files to Other Formats on a Mac for Free