How to Fix Keyboard Issues After Upgrading to Mojave

Right after upgrading to Mojave, some Mac users are experiencing keyboard issues. A survey of comments on Reddit shows that the Shift key stops working on some machines for no apparent reason, a situation that is frustrating because there are no elegant solutions on how to resolve the issue anywhere on the net.

If you are one of those experiencing keyboard issues after upgrading to Mojave, then this article will be of help to you. The following is a list of solutions that we recommend:

1. Reset your SMC and NVRAM
2. Reset the System Management Controller (SMC)
3. Remove third-party apps
4. Restore your Keyboard settings to their default configurations

Clean Your Mac

Prior to initiating any major changes on your Mac, some recommend using a system maintenance tool to scan for issues. Outbyte macAries is one such tool that scans for various performance-related issues, but ensure it meets your specific requirements.

After cleaning your computer, you can now go ahead and apply the solutions listed below:

Reset the NVRAM/PRAM

The NVRAM (nonvolatile random-access memory) is where your Mac stores certain settings so that they can be accessed quickly. The PRAM (Parameter RAM), on the other hand, serves the same role on your Mac and can be reset using the same steps as the NVRAM. Some of the settings that are stored in the NVRAM include:

• Volume settings
• Display resolution
• Recent kernel-panic information
• Startup disk selection
• Time zone

To reset the NVRAM and PRAM on your Mac, do as follows:

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Immediately hold the Option, Command, P, and R keys together for about 20 seconds.

On Macs that have a startup sound, release the keys once you hear the second startup sound. If your Mac uses Apple’s T2 security chip, you should release the keys after the Apple logo appears and disappears for the second time.

These are the Macs with Apple’s T2 security chip:

• iMac Pro
• Mac mini introduced in 2018
• MacBook Air introduced in 2018 or later
• MacBook Pro introduced in 2018 or later

After resetting the NVRAM and PRAM on your Mac, check if you are still experiencing keyboard issues. If the answer is yes, try the next solution.

Reset the System Management Controller (SMC)

The SMC is responsible for a lot of low-level functions on your Intel-based Mac. The following are some of the things that it controls:

• Battery management
• Sudden motion sensor
• Keyboard backlighting
• Ambient light sensing
• Responding to presses of the power button

Apple recommends that you consider resetting the SMC whenever you experience general performance issues. Thus, resetting the SMC might help resolve problems with the shift keys after updating to Mojave.

To reset the SMC on Mac notebooks with a removable battery, do the following:

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Press the Shift, Control, and Option keys, as well as the power button on the in-built keyboard. Hold them for about 10 seconds.
3. Release all the keys.
4. Turn on your Mac by pressing the power button.

For Mac notebooks with a non-removable battery, the following are the steps to take:

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Remove the battery.
3. Press and hold the power button for about 5 seconds.
4. Reinstall the battery.
5. Turn on your Mac by pressing the power button.

How to Reset the SMC on Mac Desktop Computers

1. Shut down your computer by going to the Apple menu and clicking Shut Down.
2. Unplug the power cord and wait for about 15 seconds.
3. Plug the power cord back in.
4. Wait for about 5 seconds before powering your Mac again.

The above steps only apply for iMac, iMac mini, Mac Pro, and Xserve computers. Computers with Apple’s T2 security chip need different procedures.

How to Reset the SMC in Mac Desktop Computers and Notebooks with the T2 Security Chip

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Press and hold the power button for about 10 seconds.
3. Release the power button and wait a few seconds.
4. Turn your Mac on by pressing the power button.

If t resetting the SMC this way doesn’t help resolve problems with the keyboard after upgrading to Mojave, take the following alternative steps:

1. Shut down your Mac by going to Apple menu and select Shut Down.
2. Press and hold the right Shift key, the left Option key, and the left Control key for about 7 seconds. While still holding these keys, press and hold the Power button for another seven seconds.
3. Release all the keys and wait for a few seconds.
4. Turn on your Mac by pressing the Power button.

Check to see if this has helped resolve problems with the Shift keys after updating to Mojave. If not, try the following solution.

Remove Third-party Software

Some Mac users have reported some success in resolving the “upgraded to Mojave but getting keyboard issues” bug by removing third-party apps that allow gamers to customize their Corsair gaming keyboards. If you are one of those Mac users who prefer such a gaming set-up, you should consider reverting to the use of the Apple keyboard and wait for Apple developers to resolve the issue.

Reset Your Keyboard Settings to Default

If all else fails, you can try reverting the keyboard settings on your Mac to their default configurations. The following are the steps to take:

1. Go to the Apple menu > System Preferences.
2. Navigate to the keyboard tab, and then click the Modifier Keys button.
3. Select the Text tab and delete the shortcut entries that deem unimportant.
4. On the Shortcuts tab, click the Restore Defaults button to restore your shortcuts combo to their default settings.
5. On the Input Sources tab, select your language preferences.

After reverting your keyboard settings to their default configurations, check to see if this has resolved the keyboard issues that you are experiencing.

It is also worth noting that keyboard issues can stem from an accumulation of dust and food particles. If this is the case, then cleaning your keyboard maybe the only way to resolve the issue.

If you have any more ideas on how to resolve problems with the Shift keys after Mojave update, please feel free to share in the comment section below.