ESC Key Not Working Mac: How to fix

Posted By Volodymyr Chubei | 27 Aug 2024

In this article, we will consider the possible reasons to answer the question why is Esc key not working on Mac. You will also be able to use our step-by-step guide to solve the problem of how to fix the esc key not working on Macbook yourself.

Why is my esc key not working on Mac

A short list of reasons why is esc key not working on your Mac is below:

mechanical damage of the keyboard;
system failure;
incorrect keyboard settings;
key reassignment;
conflict with installed software;
an older version of macOS.

How to test escape key Mac working or not

First, just press ESC and if its function is not performed , it means that the button is not working. To do this, you can use the standard combination to force close the application Command+Option+ESC".

You can also use an online service to test whether the escape Mac key is working or not. Just go to any service, there are many on the Internet, and run the test. If the ESC key works, it will light up on the screen with a green, yellow or other indicator. Otherwise, it will not light up at all or will be marked red (depends on the specific service).

Also: Delete Button Not Working on Mac: How to fix

5 tips how to fix esc key not working on Mac

Most of the causes of ESC malfunction you can fix by yourself even with minimal knowledge of MacBook. It is enough to follow our instructions and comply with all recommendations. In case of mechanical damage to the key, you will need to replace it. The rest of the problems that cause fix esc key not working on Mac you can fix yourself without much difficulty.

1. Checking system settings

You need to find out if the Mac ESC key is not working due to hardware/software problems or not. To do this, you need to enable the virtual keyboard.

Steps to follow:

go to the Apple menu (click the icon in the top bar);
select "System Settings";
click on Accessibility on the left;
in the main window, select "Keyboard";
activate the "Keyboard Special Features" option.

Next, use the virtual keyboard to verify that the ESC is working on Macbook properly. If there are problems, it may indicate a conflict or incorrect operation of the software.

2. Rebooting the device

The first and easiest solution that often helps to restore the functionality of the ESC key is to reboot the system. Properly macOS booting can solve some of the problems that may happen due to various programs and applications:

go to the Apple menu;
click on "Reboot."
wait for the system to boot and check if the ESC key works.

3. Deactivating Siri

It may seem strange, but many users have experienced that Siri sometimes negatively affects the ESC key on Mac. It is recommended to check its functionality after deactivating and reactivating Siri:

open the Apple menu;
select "System Settings";
in the window, click on Siri & Spotlight;
navigate to "Enable Ask Siri" and uncheck the box;
exit the system settings and check if the ESC key works.

4. Booting in safe mode

Booting the system in safe mode can fix a number of errors, including those related to the esc button not working Mac. The algorithm to boot this way depends on the device model.

For MacBooks based on Mac M1 processors:

log out;
press the power button until you see a window displaying the startup parameters;
select the desired boot disk (usually Macintosh HD);
hold down the Shift key;
select the option to start in safe mode;
release Shift.

For MacBooks on Intel Macs:

turn off the device and turn it on with the Shift key pressed;
release the key after starting the login.

After booting in safe mode, check if the ESC key works. If it functions correctly, then third-party software may cause the error. To fix the problem, it is enough to uninstall the last installed software. If there are several programs, uninstall them one by one until the button starts functioning.

Also: How to secure your Mac on the Internet: 7 tip

5. Upgrading macOS

In some cases, updating your system can cause various problems and cause the ESC key to malfunction. If this is caused by software bugs and glitches, then a simple operating system update may be an effective method to fix the problem.

To install the latest version of macOS:

open the Apple menu;
select "System Settings";
on the tab on the left, click on "General";
click on "Software Update" in the main window;
if a newer version is available, click "Update Now".

If none of the above helps, the button/keyboard may need to be repaired or replaced. Apple Parts has a wide range of genuine parts available for different MacBook models. All parts are certified and tested before going on sale. The company guarantees that 100% of components are genuine and operate in accordance with the declared characteristics.

If you're not sure you can repair your MacBook yourself, order a Techtoro.io (Apple Parts) repair by mail. Simply select your laptop model and possible problem, send us the device and wait for the diagnostic results. Then pay your invoice and get your MacBook back within a couple of working days.

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FAQ

1. What to do if the ESC button is not working on a Mac?

If ESC doesn't work, try using the virtual key via Accessibility in system settings. Restart your PC, install available updates, disable Siri or try starting in Safe Mode.

2. What to use instead of Esc on Mac?

Hold down the Control key, and then press [ (the opening square bracket). Alternatively, use the Karabiner-Elements utility to reassign the convenient key to the Esc function.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Volodymyr Chubei
Computer Repair Specialist at TechToro.io

Volodymyr was born in Ukraine and has found his passion for electronics from his childhood. At the age of 13, he was capable of soldering some basic elements of a logic board and today he is one of the co-founders of TechToro.io