How to Fix Escape Key Not Working on Mac

Having hassle with the Escape key not engaged on Mac?

Apple Macs have a number of keyboard shortcuts that goal to enhance productiveness. While most of them are set by default, you additionally get the liberty to customise your individual set of shortcuts at your comfort. 

One default shortcut secret is the Escape key. By urgent it, it’s possible you’ll carry out numerous features like minimizing a window, closing or aborting the operate of an software, and so forth. However, this key could typically grow to be unresponsive or lag in its efficiency. 

The downside could also be associated to {hardware} or software program. If it’s the previous, there’s nothing you possibly can actually do apart from buy a brand new keyboard. However, if it’s a software program error inflicting the Escape key not engaged on Mac problem, there are a number of troubleshooting strategies it’s possible you’ll observe, as listed beneath.

So let’s get began instantly!

1. Restart Your Mac.

To begin with probably the most simple answer, we advocate you restart your device. This will give your pc a contemporary begin, eliminating most non permanent errors inflicting the problem Escape key not engaged on Mac.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Simply click on on the Apple menu on the high left nook.
2. From the choices, click on on Restart.

3. Again, select Restart from the affirmation field.

2. Disconnect the External Keyboard.

If you utilize an exterior keyboard, likelihood is the Escape key could have damaged or stopped working utterly. In this case, disconnecting the exterior keyboard is the quickest method to take care of the scenario, at the very least quickly. Check if the Escape key on the default keyboard is working superb. If it’s not, the problem lies within the system software program.

To repair that, proceed studying this information.

3. Force-Quit Siri.

Many customers have reported that the Escape key turns into unresponsive as a consequence of interference of Siri, the digital assistant getting caught within the background, and so forth. To fight this case, attempt to force-quit the function from the Activity Monitor and see if this repair additionally works for you.

Follow the steps beneath to take action:

1. Firstly, open Spotlight Search by urgent the Command key and Spacebar.
2. Now, sort Activity Monitor and hit the Return key.

3. When the window opens, sort Siri within the Search bar.
4. From the consequence, choose Siri and click on on the x icon.

5. Lastly, click on on Force Quit to shut Siri.

After that, play a video in full-screen mode, then verify if the Escape secret is fastened.

4. Boot Into Safe Mode.

Several third-party purposes often intrude with the efficiency of your pc, leading to all types of points, together with the Escape key not engaged on Mac.

In this case, it’s worthwhile to enter Safe mode in order that your Mac solely boots with the required information. All further packages, extensions, login gadgets, and so forth will probably be excluded.

Entering Safe mode in Mac is barely totally different for Intel and M1 Mac. So observe the strategies which are specified in your pc chip.

For Intel:

1. First, click on on the Apple menu and select Restart.
2. Just when your Mac restarts, lengthy press the Shift key out of your keyboard.
3. Release once you see the login display screen.

For M1:

1. From the Apple menu, choose Shut Down.

2. After that, lengthy press the Power button till two disk choices seem on the display screen.
3. Hold down the Shift key and click on on Macintosh HD. 
4. Then, click on on Continue in Safe Mode.

5. Reset SMC on Intel-based Macs.

This technique is particularly for customers with Mac operating on Intel chips. System Management Controller or SMC is a chip that shops and controls vital information associated to the functioning of a number of {hardware} parts, together with the Escape key. Resetting it simply would possibly remedy the problem of the Escape key not engaged on Mac. 

To achieve this, observe these steps rigorously:

1. From the Apple menu, select to Shut Down your Mac.
2. Then watch for a few minutes.
3. After that, press and maintain the Shift, left Option, and left Control key concurrently. Then add the Power button within the mixture as nicely.

4. Don’t launch them for round 10 seconds. Your Mac will then activate, taking part in the default chime. This is your cue to let go of the keys.
5. Finally, press the Power button to restart your pc.

6. Enable Accessibility Keyboard.

If you’re undecided whether or not the problem lies in Mac’s software program or {hardware}, this technique is for you. The accessibility keyboard is an on-screen keyboard that you should use with the clicking of your mouse. This can be a short lived repair till you resolve the precise downside.

Here’s how to allow the Accessibility keyboard in your Mac:

1. To begin, press the Command key + Spacebar in your keyboard to open the Spotlight Search.
2. Type Accessibility and hit the Return key.

3. Now, scroll all the way down to the Motor part and click on on Keyboard on the left pane of the window.

4. Then, go to the Viewer tab.
5. Finally, verify the field next to Enable Accessibility Keyboard.

If the Escape key of the Accessibility keyboard works, it’s time so that you can get a brand new keyboard to connect to your Mac. However, if it doesn’t, then the issue lies someplace within the software program.

7. Run Maintenance Scripts.

Since there is no such thing as a direct repair that may remedy the problem of the Escape key not engaged on Mac, it is best to think about choosing normal fixes like operating upkeep scripts. This technique has been an efficient answer for many Mac points and can hopefully resolve this too.

Here’s what it’s worthwhile to do:

1. Begin by downloading the CleanMyMacX utility in your pc.
2. Once accomplished, launch this system.
3. Then, go to the Maintenance tab from the left pane of the window.
4. Select Run Maintenance Scripts, then hit the Run button to begin the duty.

8. Update the macOS.

Outdated software program variations are another excuse numerous bugs and glitches discover their manner into your Mac system. For this cause, it is best to all the time keep your macOS up-to-date.

To guarantee this or set up any pending model updates, observe the steps beneath:

1. Firstly, click on on the Apple menu and select About This Mac.

2. From there, click on on Software Update.

3. If an update is accessible, merely click on on the Update Now button to put in it immediately in your Mac.

9. Visit the Nearest Apple Store.

If nothing appears to work in your case to resolve the Escape key not engaged on Mac, it’s advisable to hunt skilled assist. Head over to your nearest Apple retailer to both get your keyboard repaired or get the underlying software program problem fastened.

On this word, we finish our information on how to repair the Escape key not engaged on Mac. For more queries, don’t hesitate to speak with us by the remark part beneath. We’ll be glad to supply additional help.