If the keyboard and trackpad on a MacBook Air M2 stop working together, the cause is much more likely software than two failed parts, and owners have reported exactly that after macOS updates: an 8 GB M2 Air whose keyboard and trackpad went completely unresponsive after an update is the subject of one MacRumors thread. The fixes people share are modest: restart, which on Apple silicon does what an SMC reset used to do, reset the trackpad's preference files, and check Trackpad settings.
A failure of only one of the two points at that part. The trackpad is a Force Touch design with haptic feedback and no moving click, so a trackpad that feels dead may be missing its haptic click rather than its touch. Apple's articles for keys that do not respond and a pointer that does not move are the references.
Differential
Likely causes of “Apple MacBook Air (M2) keyboard or trackpad is not working correctly”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A software fault after an update
What separates it Keyboard and trackpad both stop together after updating macOS
How to confirm Restart; on Apple silicon a restart does what an SMC reset did; then install the next macOS update
- 2
Corrupted trackpad preferences
What separates it The trackpad misbehaves after a restart, or gestures vanish
How to confirm Quit System Settings, delete com.apple.preference.trackpad.plist and com.apple.AppleMultitouchTrackpad.plist from Library, Preferences, and restart
- 3
Haptic click turned down or off
What separates it The trackpad moves the pointer but does not click
How to confirm System Settings, Trackpad: set the click strength and check Tap to click
- 4
A stuck accessory or Bluetooth device
What separates it The Air ignores the built-in keyboard while a wireless keyboard is connected
How to confirm Turn Bluetooth off and test
- 5
A hardware fault
What separates it One of the two fails on its own, in Recovery too
How to confirm Test in Recovery; if the fault persists, book Apple
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether the keyboard, the trackpad or both fail
- Whether it began after a macOS update, and which
- Whether it works in macOS Recovery
- How much memory the Air has (8 GB owners report most)
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedRestart the Mac
ReversibleUse the power button if the screen is unresponsive: hold it until the startup window appears, then restart.
Test in Recovery
ReversibleHold the power button at startup, choose Options and test the keyboard and trackpad there; if they work, the fault is in macOS.
Check Trackpad settings
ReversibleSystem Settings, Trackpad: Point and Click, Scroll and Zoom, and More Gestures.
Reset the trackpad preferences
ReversibleIn Finder, Go, Library, Preferences, delete the two trackpad plist files and restart.
Install macOS updates
ReversibleSystem Settings, General, Software Update.
Book Apple if Recovery fails
ReversibleIf the keyboard and trackpad both fail in Recovery, it is hardware.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- The keyboard and trackpad
- A Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and a Force Touch trackpad with haptic feedback and no moving click.
- Memory
- Owners who report the post-update freeze often have the 8 GB model.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If both fail in Recovery as well, the hardware needs Apple
- !If one key or a section fails after a spill, stop using the Mac and take it in
- !If a swollen battery lifts the trackpad, stop using it and book service
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Keyboard checks and settings.
Trackpad checks.
Force Touch trackpads and haptic settings.
An M2 Air owner whose keyboard and trackpad stopped after an update.
Ports, MagSafe 3, Wi-Fi 6, one external display, adapters and weight for the M2 Air.
Exact questions
Common questions
Why did my MacBook Air M2 keyboard and trackpad stop after an update?+
Owners report it, and when both fail together it is usually software. Restart, test in Recovery and install the next update.
Does the M2 Air need an SMC reset?+
Apple silicon Macs do not have a separate SMC reset; restarting does the same job.
Why does my trackpad not click?+
The Force Touch trackpad fakes the click with a haptic engine, so check the click strength and Tap to click in Trackpad settings.
How do I tell software from hardware?+
If the keyboard and trackpad work in macOS Recovery, the problem is in macOS.