When a MacBook Pro keyboard or trackpad stops responding, Apple's articles point first to something you cannot see: a low battery alert hidden behind the frozen input, so connect power or an external keyboard to reveal it. For the trackpad, one finger moves the pointer and two fingers scroll. For the keyboard, Caps Lock and Media Eject are deliberately delayed, and an Accessibility option can change how keys behave. The Pro's trackpad is a large Force Touch trackpad with haptic feedback, and its keyboard has full-height function keys and Touch ID, so a dead click may be a settings issue before it is a fault.
Differential
Likely causes of “Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch and 16-inch keyboard or trackpad is not working correctly”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A low battery alert you cannot see
What separates it Neither keys nor trackpad respond and the Pro seems on
How to confirm Apple says to connect power or an external keyboard to see the alert
- 2
Two fingers on the trackpad
What separates it The pointer will not move while you scroll or rest a second finger
How to confirm Apple says only one finger moves the pointer
- 3
An accessibility option
What separates it Keys repeat, respond late or do nothing when pressed, whichever key you use
How to confirm Apple says you may have accidentally set an option that changes how the keyboard operates; check Accessibility, Keyboard
- 4
A key that is delayed by design
What separates it Caps Lock or the Media Eject key seems dead while the rest of the keys work
How to confirm Apple says these keys have a slight delay; press and hold them
- 5
A hardware fault or liquid damage
What separates it Rows of keys or the trackpad click stop working together and nothing on the keyboard responds
How to confirm Apple says to contact Apple or an Authorized Service Provider if hardware is at fault
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Which MacBook Pro you have and the macOS version
- Which keys or trackpad actions fail and whether an external keyboard and mouse work
- Whether the Pro was wet, dropped or recently updated
- What Accessibility settings show for keyboard and pointer control
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedPlug in power
ReversibleConnect the adapter or an external keyboard. Apple says a hidden low battery alert can stop the keys and trackpad.
Use one finger
ReversibleUse one finger, by moving the pointer with one finger, since two fingers scroll the page.
Check Trackpad settings
ReversibleCheck Trackpad settings, in System Settings, Trackpad, and check Tap to click and Force Click and haptic feedback.
Check Accessibility
ReversibleSystem Settings, Accessibility, Keyboard and Pointer Control, and turn off options you set by accident.
Test external devices
ReversibleConnect a USB or Bluetooth keyboard and mouse; if they work, the fault is with the built-in device.
Book service
ReversibleBook service, since Apple says to contact it if the hardware seems to be at fault.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Keyboard and trackpad by model
- 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro M3 and M4: full-height function keys, Touch ID and a Force Touch trackpad with haptic feedback, per Apple's tech specs.
- Where the alert hides
- Apple's key and trackpad articles both say a low battery alert can be invisible when the keys and trackpad do not respond; connect power to reveal it.
- Part numbers
- No part number is involved. Apple identifies the Mac by model and serial number and replaces the top case as a unit.
- Tools and supplies
- An external keyboard and mouse to test, the power adapter, a flashlight to look between keys and a dry towel. Do not use liquids.
- Repair cost
- Apple quotes keyboard and trackpad repairs after diagnosis. iFixit's table lists Apple's US estimate for a MacBook Pro battery at $249, the only published fee for these Macs.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 family), MacBook Pro 14-inch (M3 family), MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 family).
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If an external keyboard and mouse work and the built-in ones do not, book a service check
- !If rows of keys or the trackpad click fail after a restart, contact Apple
- !If a liquid was spilled on the Pro, switch it off and take it to Apple the same day
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
External and built-in keyboards, low battery alert, Caps Lock and Media Eject delay, accessibility options and service.
One finger to move the pointer, hidden low battery alert and service.
Force Touch trackpads, Force Click and haptic feedback settings.
72.4-watt-hour battery, three Thunderbolt 4 ports, 24 hours video, Center Stage camera and display support.
100-watt-hour battery, 140W adapter, Thunderbolt 5, HDMI, SDXC and ProMotion.
Apple silicon MacBook Pro history: 14-inch and 16-inch generations, ports, displays and fans.
Exact questions
Common questions
Why does the Touch ID key double as the power button?+
Apple lists Touch ID in the power button on the Pro. Press it down firmly to force the Mac off, as Apple's startup articles say, rather than tapping it lightly.
Can I test the keyboard without typing into a document?+
Yes. Open the Keyboard Viewer or System Settings, Keyboard, and press keys; a key that does not light in the viewer is not reaching the Mac.
Does the Pro use the same Touch ID key as the Air?+
Apple lists Touch ID on the 14-inch and 16-inch Pro. Touch ID is separate from typing, so a dead Touch ID does not mean the keyboard is dead.
What trackpad does the Pro have?+
A Force Touch trackpad with haptic feedback. Apple says most modern Mac laptops have Force Touch and it supports Force Click.
Why does the trackpad click feel different?+
Apple says Force Touch trackpads use haptic feedback rather than a mechanical click. Check Trackpad settings for Force Click and haptic feedback.
I spilled something on the keyboard — should I keep using it?+
No. Apple's guidance is to switch the Pro off immediately and take it in rather than keep typing to test it; liquid that reaches the battery connection under the keys or trackpad can corrode it, and that risk does not go away once the keys dry out and start working again.