Return key quit working only when using Mail app on MacBook Pro (2023)

Question

Return key quit working only when using Mail app on MacBook Pro (2023)

The RETURN key on Macbook Pro (2023) quit working on 4/9/25 only when using MacMail. However the Return key DOES work when typing this comment. I have been an Apple owner-advocate since 1983 when the product was reliable "every day." Wrote my 200-page Masters Thesis on that device. Cannot trust the usability of this 2023 device from one day to the next. The last truly trust-worthy Apple is my 2010 17-inch MacBook. Please tell us all what is going on here? Am now relegated to typing every email in another format than within "Mail", such as Word or Notes or Pages or another tool that works, and then emailing "that." Looking forward to your solution here. Thank you.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

MacBook Pro 16″

Posted on Apr 10, 2025 1:27 PM

Reply

Answer 1

lkrupp

Level 7

22,177 points

Apr 10, 2025 1:41 PM in response to egomatters912

By the way, you are not contacting Apple here. No one here is an Apple employee or Apple contractor. Apple Support does not monitor these forums either. We’re all fellow users here and don't care what you think or how long you’ve been an owner-advocate. The Return key not working on a single app is likely some kind of fixable glitch or incorrect setting. I certainly hope you’re not claiming every MacBook Pro user has this issue. The standard troubleshooting advice is to restart your Mac in Safe Mode and test.

Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support

Of course there is no such app as MacMail, never was. It’s simply Mail

Reply

Answer 2

Apr 10, 2025 5:10 PM in response to lkrupp

Yes Sir, the Return key is functioning again within the written-paragraph portions of each Mail email. But the key was still non-reactive when used to add spacing to separate attachments within an email. I addressed that for today by using the tab key to add visual spacing instead. After a second longer shutdown and new restart a few hours later, the Return key is now working normally again.

We can end the topic - thanks again.

Reply

Answer 3

Apr 10, 2025 2:32 PM in response to lkrupp

Thank you for the expertise and I hope the others who posted earlier here with the same problem have also benefited from this same advice.

Reply

Answer 4

lkrupp

Level 7

22,177 points

Apr 10, 2025 4:28 PM in response to egomatters912

So can we assume your Return key is now working again in the Mail app? If it is then great!

Reply

Return key quit working only when using Mail app on MacBook Pro (2023)

Similar questions