"ESC Key Not Working on Mac: 5 Practical Solutions to Fix the Failing Escape Key"

The Escape key, often abbreviated as ESC, is one of the most essential keys on a keyboard. On Apple Mac keyboards, it is situated on the left side of the Touch Bar. The primary role of the ESC key is to abort or interrupt the currently running process or application. It is also commonly used to close or dismiss a pop-up window.

Is your ESC key not functioning on your Mac? Recently, numerous users have encountered this problem.

Fortunately, there are several remedies you can attempt to resolve the issue of the ESC key not functioning on your Mac. In this article, we will explore 5 effective methods to fix the problem. Read on:

• Fix 1. Check Accessibility Keyboard in System Preferences
• Fix 2. Restart Your Mac to Resolve the ESC Key Issue
• Fix 3. Disable and Re-enable Siri to Fix the ESC Key Not Working
• Fix 4. Boot Mac in Safe Mode to Repair the ESC Key
• Fix 5. Update Mac Software to Address the ESC Key Not Working

Before delving into how to fix the issue of the ESC key not functioning on your keyboard, it's essential to understand the reasons behind it. Here are some possible causes to consider.

Why Isn't the Escape Key Working on Your Mac?

Several reasons can account for the ESC key not functioning on your Mac, such as:

• ⚠️Software issues such as software incompatibility with the system after a Mac software update.
• ❌Bugs or glitches within the operating system on your Mac.
• ⛔Hardware issues: physical damage to the keyboard resulting in the ESC key not functioning, or liquid damage to your system that renders the ESC key incapable of working.

How to Determine If the Escape (ESC) Key Is Functioning Properly

The most straightforward method to verify if the ESC key is functioning is to press it. If it fails to execute its intended action, it indicates that the ESC key is not working. For example, on a Mac, you can try using the "Command + Option + ESC" keys, which resemble the Windows equivalent of Ctrl+Alt+Delete on Mac, to force quit an application.

You can also utilize an online tool to check if the keyboard is functioning correctly. Simply visit the website and initiate the test. If the ESC key is working, a green or any other indicator light will appear. Conversely, if it's not working, there will be no light.

How to Solve the Issue of the ESC Key Not Working on a Mac

There are several solutions you can try to fix the non-functional ESC key on your Mac. Let's explore five effective methods:

Solution 1: Check Accessibility Keyboard in System Preferences

Firstly, you need to determine whether the issue with the ESC key not functioning is due to hardware or software problems. To do this, you can enable the "Accessibility Keyboard." Follow these steps:

Step 1. Access the Apple Menu.

Step 2. Choose "System Preferences" or "System Settings".

Step 3. Select "Accessibility" from the left panel.

Step 4. Navigate to the "Keyboard" option on the right.

Step 5. Enable the "Accessibility Keyboard" option. You'll need to scroll down to locate this setting.

Next up, just translate this into American English: "

Exit the window. Next, play a video and utilize the Virtual keyboard to test if the ESC key is functioning. If it does work, it indicates that your physical keyboard is damaged and requires repair or replacement. Conversely, if it doesn't function, this suggests there are software-related problems.

Solution 2: Restart Your Mac to Resolve the ESC Key Not Working

One of the simplest solutions to address the non-functional ESC key issue is to restart your system. Rebooting macOS might rectify this error. To do this, access the Apple menu and select "Restart" from the dropdown options. Wait for your system to restart and then check if the ESC key is functioning properly.

If the "Restart" option is not working, try to perform a hard reset on your MacBook Pro.

Solution 3: Disable and Re-enable Siri to Solve the ESC Key Not Working

Several users speculate that Siri might be the culprit behind the non-functional ESC key. Although it might seem unrelated, numerous users have reported that disabling Siri resolves the issue with unresponsive ESC keys. To test if this solution works, you can try disabling and re-enabling Siri by following these steps:

Step 1. Go to the Apple menu.

Step 2. Select "System Preferences."

Step 3. Select "Siri & Spotlight" from the right-hand panel.

Step 4. Go to "Enable Ask Siri" and uncheck it.

Step 5. Wait for some time, and then check the box again.

Now, you need to exit the window and check if the ESC key is functioning properly or not.

Share this article on social media to assist others in troubleshooting the non-functional ESC key on their Mac.

Solution 4: Boot Mac in Safe Mode to Repair the ESC Key

Were you aware that booting your system into Mac Safe Mode could potentially fix the problem with the ESC key not functioning? This is a great method to check if third-party software is causing the issue. The steps to start your Mac in Safe Mode vary depending on your model.

For M1 Macs:

Step 1. Shut down the system.

Step 2. Press and hold the power button. When you see startup options, release the button.

Step 3. Select the startup disk, which is typically Macintosh HD.

If the "Macintosh HD" is not appearing in Recovery Mode, you should first shut down your Mac and then restart it in Safe Mode to fix this error.

Step 4. Press and hold the "Shift" key.

Step 5. Click on "Continue" in Safe Mode, and release the "Shift" key.

For Intel Macs:

Step 1. Shut down the system. Then turn it on. While doing this, press and hold the "Shift" key.

Step 2. When you see the login window, release the "Shift" key.

When you enter Safe Mode, test the ESC key to see if it's functioning properly. If it works in this mode, it indicates that a third-party software is causing the error. In this scenario, uninstall any recently installed software applications to determine if that resolves the issue.

Solution 5: Update Software on Mac to Fix the ESC Key Not Working

In some instances, merely updating the system might resolve the issue with the ESC key not functioning. If any software glitches are accountable for the problem, updates will rectify it.

Take a look at these steps:

Step 1. Click on the Apple menu.

Step 2. If you're using a newer Mac, select "System Preferences" or "System Settings."

Step 3. From the left side, select "General," then click on "Software Update" in the settings on the right.

Step 4. If you see any updates available, click on "Update" to proceed with the installation.

If Software Update isn't functioning properly on your Mac, don't panic! This article is here to assist you in resolving this issue.

Translate into English

Mac Software Update Not Functioning | 6 Effective Solutions to Repair [Including macOS Sonoma]

This article explores 6 practical approaches to resolve the issue of Mac Software Update not functioning. Read more >>

Bonus Tip: Recover Lost Files After Update

Although not common, data loss can still occur during the update process. This is why it's crucial to create a backup before proceeding with an update. However, if you haven't backed up your data, don't panic. You can turn to professional data recovery software for help. The Data Recovery Wizard for Mac is a highly effective data recovery solution.

This software is capable of recovering lost files following a Mac update, including images, videos, music files, documents, and more. Moreover, it features a user-friendly interface, allowing you to retrieve data with just three straightforward steps.

Various scenarios and other situations encompass malware attacks, hardware damage, partition loss, system crashes, unmounted drives, etc., which can result in data loss and, even worse, permanently delete files on Mac.

But with the help of Mac data recovery software, you can easily recover permanently deleted files on Mac or retrieve missing files after upgrading to Monterey, Ventura, or Sonoma in just 3 steps:

Note: You can first create a backup by clicking "Disk Backup" on the left. If the disk becomes damaged or data on the disk is accidentally deleted or lost, you can restore the data from the backup image.

Step 1. Choose the location

Select the disk where you lost data after updating to macOS Sonoma/Ventura/Monterey/Big Sur. Then, click "Search for lost files".

Step 2. Locate Lost Data after the Scan

Data Recovery Wizard for Mac will instantly scan the selected disk volume and display the scan results on the left pane. Utilize the file type and file path options to locate the desired data on your Mac.

Step 3. Recover Data After macOS Update

Select the target files that were unknowingly lost during or after the update, and click the "Recover" button to retrieve them all.

Conclusion

A non-functional ESC key can be a troublesome issue that requires prompt resolution. As an essential key used frequently, its malfunction can cause significant inconvenience. Regardless of the reason behind its failure, several solutions exist to address the problem. You can try restarting your system or booting it into Safe Mode.

However, implementing these solutions might result in data loss. Hence, it's always recommended to back up your data. But if you haven't, you can opt for trustworthy data recovery software. Consider tools like Data Recovery Wizard for Mac!

"ESC Key Not Working on Mac: Frequently Asked Questions"

Want to learn more about the ESC key not functioning on a Mac? If so, check out the frequently asked questions and their answers below:

< strong > 1. Why isn't my ESC button functioning on my Mac? < /strong >

Several reasons can cause the ESC (Escape) button to malfunction on a Mac. It might be due to keyboard damage or software-related problems. Nevertheless, liquid spillage can also be a contributing factor.

2. What should I do if the ESC button is not functioning?

If the ESC key isn't functioning, you need to identify the reason for the issue. This enables you to apply the appropriate solution. For example, if the problem is due to hardware damage, you can opt to replace the keyboard.

3. What is the alternative key for ESC on a Mac?

The alternative function of the ESC key on a Mac is to press "Command + Period (.)" keys together. Bear in mind that you cannot physically replace the key.