How to Lock and Unlock Mac Keyboard?

One of the main reasons to lock your MacBook is to protect the device from other people who might want to access the Mac while you are away.

Another reason for MacBook users to lock their devices is to avoid unwanted input. For instance, when you are cleaning the keyboard, you want the keys to be unresponsive so you avoid potential accidents. 

Deleting files accidentally because you do not know keyboard shortcuts (something that happened to me recently when I was trying to remove crumbs from my keyboard in a hurry) is a problem. Another example is realizing how to shutdown Mac with keyboard shortcuts without wanting to shut down the computer.

If you are unaware of how to lock and unlock the Mac keyboard on your computer, fret not. It is relatively simple, and you will find the answers in this article.

Unlock the Keyboard via System Preferences

Here’s how you can lock and unlock the MacBook’s keyboard via System Preferences.

1. Open System Preferences. This can be done by clicking on the Apple icon in the top left corner of your screen and selecting “System Preferences” from the drop-down menu.
2. Click on “Security & Privacy.”
3. Click on the “General” tab.
4. Under the “Require password” section, select the “Immediately after sleep or screen saver begins” option. This will ensure that your keyboard is locked whenever your computer goes to sleep, or the screensaver is activated.
5. You can also click on the “Lock Screen” button at the bottom of the “General” tab to lock your keyboard immediately.

Unlocking your keyboard is just as easy as locking it. Simply enter your password when prompted, and you’ll be able to use your keyboard again.

Use Karabiner Elements

Karabiner Elements is a third-party app for locking and unlocking MacBook’s keyboard. 

1. Open the Karabiner Elements application.
2. Click on the “Keyboard” tab.
3. Locate the “Lock Keyboard” button and click it.
4. A confirmation message will appear asking if you’re sure you want to lock the keyboard. Click “Yes” to confirm.
5. The keyboard will now be locked, and a padlock icon will appear in the menu bar to indicate the keyboard is locked.
6. To unlock the keyboard, click on the padlock icon and enter your password when prompted.

Use Keyboard Locker App

The Keyboard Locker app is another popular third-party tool to lock and unlock your Mac’s keyboard.

1. Download and install the Keyboard Locker app from the App Store.
2. Launch the app and click on the Lock Keyboard button.
3. A confirmation message will appear, asking you if you’re sure you want to lock your keyboard. Click on the Lock Keyboard button again to confirm.
4. You will see a Lock Keyboard icon in the menu bar, showing a locked keyboard.
5. To unlock your keyboard, click on the Lock Keyboard icon in the menu bar and click on the Unlock Keyboard button.

How to Enable Num Lock on Your Mac’s Keyboard

If you need to enable Num Lock on your MacBook, there are a few different ways you can do it. One way is to use the keyboard shortcut by pressing Fn + Shift + F6.

You can also enable Num Lock through the System Preferences. To do this, go to the Keyboard preference panel and check the “Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys” box. Finally, you can enable Num Lock by using the Boot Camp Control Panel in Windows.

Troubleshooting MacBook Keyboard Issues

#1 – Clean Your Keyboard

When it comes to cleaning your MacBook’s keyboard, there are a few different approaches you can take. You can use a can of compressed air to blow the dirt and dust out of the keys, or you can use a damp cloth to wipe down the keys. If you’re dealing with more than just a little bit of grime, you may need to resort to using a mild cleaning solution and a toothbrush to scrub the keys clean.

Once you’ve got the keyboard clean, it’s important to protect it from future dirt and grime build-up. One way to do this is to invest in a keyboard cover. Keyboard covers come in a variety of materials, including silicone and plastic, and they help keep your keys clean while also providing a bit of extra grip.

If you don’t want to use a keyboard cover, another option is to simply avoid eating or drinking near your MacBook. Crumbs and spills can quickly turn into a sticky mess, so it’s best to play it safe and keep food and drinks away from your computer.

#2 – Disable Slow Keys

If you have ever accidentally hit the Caps Lock key and found yourself unable to type properly, you know how annoying it can be. Thankfully, there is a way to disable Slow Keys on a MacBook. This will prevent the Caps Lock key from being activated inadvertently and will make typing much easier.

To disable Slow Keys:

1. Open System Preferences and click on Accessibility.
2. Scroll down to the Interacting section and click on Keyboard.
3. Under Key Repeat, select “Off”. This will disable the Caps Lock key from being activated inadvertently.

#3 – Disable Mouse Keys

Mouse Keys allow you to control the mouse pointer using the keyboard. While this can be a useful feature for some users, it can also be a nuisance if you accidentally enable it.

1. Open System Preferences.
2. Click on Accessibility.
3. Scroll down to the bottom of the list and click on Mouse & Trackpad.
4. Under the Pointing & Clicking section, make sure that the box next to Enable Mouse Keys is unchecked.