The delete button on your Mac’s keyboard is crucial in editing and managing your files and documents. It can be frustrating and hinder your productivity when it stops functioning as expected.
Encountering issues with the Delete button on your Mac? This article discusses various methods to help you fix issues with the Delete button on Mac.
Methods to fix the Delete button
Here are a few ways that might help you fix the issues with the Delete button:
Check your keyboard
Before diving into complex software troubleshooting, ensuring the issue isn’t with your physical keyboard is a good idea. Dust, debris, or a stuck key can cause the delete button to be unresponsive. Give your keyboard a gentle shake or use compressed air to clean it. If that doesn’t work, consider testing your Mac with an external keyboard to see if the problem persists.
Use Keyboard Viewer
Sometimes, the issue is not with your Mac’s delete button; it might be possible that the software or app you are using cannot recognise the delete button. To determine that, enable the on-screen keyboard and check if the delete button is working on the on-screen keyboard or not. Here are the steps to enable the keyboard viewer:
Step 1: Click on the Apple menu, then click on the System Settings in the dropdown menu.
Step 2: In the sidebar, click on Keyboard, and then on the right side of the screen, click on the Edit button beside Input Sources under the Text Input section.
Step 3: Turn the toggle on beside the Show Input menu in the menu bar.
Step 4: The Input menu will be available in the menu bar. Click on the Input menu icon in the menu bar and click on the Show Keyboard Viewer option in the dropdown menu.
Step 5: The keyboard will appear on the screen; press the Delete button.
If the button is working properly, it will be highlighted in the keyboard viewer; it also means the issue is not that severe, and a simple restart or updating of your Mac can resolve it. If it doesn’t highlight on the keyboard viewer, then try the other below-explained troubleshooting methods
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Restart your Mac
Sometimes, simple issues can be resolved with a good old-fashioned restart. If your delete button has stopped working, try restarting your Mac. This can help reset any minor software glitches that may be affecting your keyboard’s functionality.
Check for software update
Outdated software can sometimes lead to unexpected keyboard issues. Check if there are any available updates for macOS. Here’s how to do that:
Step 1: Click on the Apple menu, then click on the System Settings option in the dropdown menu.
Step 2: In system settings, click on the General option in the sidebar and then click on the Software Update option on the right.
Step 3: If you have any available macOS updates, install them.
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Disable the Slow keys setting
The delete button might not work properly because the Slow Keys feature is enabled. This feature offers greater control over how long a key must be pressed before your computer registers it. It’s particularly useful for individuals with limited hand movement, as it minimises the chances of unintentionally typing the same letter multiple times. To disable it, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Click on the Apple menu, then click on the System Settings option in the dropdown menu.
Step 2: In the sidebar, click on Accessibility, and then on the right side of the screen, click on the Keyboard option.
Step 3: Turn the toggle off beside the Slow Keys option.
Delete the Keyboard PLIST files
Plist or Property list files save the configuration and preferences of different apps and devices on Mac. Deleting them might restore the functionality of the keyboard. To delete, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Open Finder, click on the Go tab and then click on the Go to Folder in the dropdown menu.
Step 2: Go to ~/Library/Preferences and find the files apple.Keyboard-Settings.extension.plist and
com.apple.keyboardservicesd.plist and delete them by dragging the files to the Trash bin. If you find more com.apple.keyboard PLIST files, then delete them, too.
Reset NVRAM/PRAM
The Non-Volatile RAM (NVRAM) or Parameter RAM (PRAM) stores various settings on your Mac, including keyboard preferences. Resetting it might resolve issues related to the Delete button. Here are the steps to do that:
Step 1: Shut down your Mac.
Step 2:Â Press and hold the Command + Option + P+ R buttons as you turn on the Mac.
Step 3:Â Hold the keys until you hear the startup sound twice.
For Macs with Apple silicon, simply restarting your Mac should do the trick.
Visit an Apple store or authorised service provider
If you have tried all the fixes mentioned earlier without success and your Mac’s delete button is still not working, it’s time to consider getting expert assistance. Pay a visit to your closest Apple Store or an authorised service provider. They can examine and resolve the issue, which might involve a hardware problem that requires professional attention.
Also read: How to lock the keyboard on a Mac?
