My keyboard battery is very low, via alert, yet it is plugged into my iMac.

iMac running Sonoma 14.6.1

I haven't received this alert before, and I've had the keyboard several years.

It has a cord from the keyboard that ends in USB which plugs into back of iMac.

There are no other cords, no way to open anything to get to a battery.


iMac 21.5″, macOS 14.6

Posted on Apr 3, 2025 5:18 PM

Reply
4 replies
Sort By: 

Apr 3, 2025 5:57 PM in response to 33LargeMarge

I assume you have already checked to see if if the connections are firmly inserted?


Rechargeable keyboards have a power button. Make sure it is set to "on."



If you attach the same cable to another device—a mouse or iPhone/iPad— does it show that charging is happening?

Reply

Apr 3, 2025 6:07 PM in response to 33LargeMarge

Hey 33largemarge, I got u. Firstly, have you checked that your cable isn't the problem? If that doesn't work try using different USB ports for the keyboard to be charged with or trying to charge it using a wall socket. Another probable cause for this issue is that there could be dirt in the port that is preventing the keyboard to be charged. Or the keyboard switch might just be off. If all else fails it could be a issue with the keyboard so you might want to attempt to reset it by unpair it from your Mac, then press and hold the power button on the keyboard until the green LED turns off and back on, then attempt to reconnect it. A more extreme reason is that the keyboard was used extensively and the charge port has been worn out.

Reply

Apr 10, 2025 11:33 AM in response to Allan Jones

Allan Jones, The cable can't be removed from the keyboard. It's apple 1843.

I've checked the usb ports on the iMac by plugging in other things, and they work.

I have had this keyboard ever since I've had this iMac, several years, and it has never said I need to charge or anything. It was plugged into the iMac, and just worked.

I recently updated the os, and... that's when it happened.

Reply

Apr 10, 2025 11:34 AM in response to Techy-smarts

techy-smarts, I've used different usb ports for the keyboard, and tried to charge with my iPhone cord and the wall socket, no go.

The switch is on. The keyboard doesn't have a power button, just the little on/off switch.

I have removed it, then paired it, but it refuses to connect.

I connected a new keyboard, got it connected, it works.

So I went back to the original keyboard, it refused to pair/connect.

It's apple 1843.

I think it was a recent os update that killed it, or it was just an untimely failure of keyboard.

Reply

My keyboard battery is very low, via alert, yet it is plugged into my iMac.

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.