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I switched from a Logitech keyboard to a Mac external keyboard on my macbook pro with Catalina MacOS. Every time I hit capitol M it types MZ. It could be the case that the keyboard is malfunctioning, but before I replace it I thought of trying to re-identify the keyboard and see if it helps.

MacOS user guide says this:

  1. On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Keyboard.
  2. Click Change Keyboard Type, then follow the onscreen instructions.

However I could not find Change Keyboard Type in that interface - see screenshot below. I also tried this sudo command but it didn't work.

How I could force a keyboard re-identification?

enter image description here

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  • It’s hard to imagine any kind of wrong identification that would cause the problem you describe.
    – Tom Gewecke
    Commented Jan 16, 2020 at 23:31
  • Strange, maybe because it's an Apple keyboard? Have you tried deleting /Library/Preferences/com.apple.keyboardtype.plist and restarting? What about just adding another input source in the Input Sources tab and selecting it?
    – JMY1000
    Commented Jan 17, 2020 at 8:27
  • I have had a case where an apple keyboard would behave exactly like that after coffee was poured over the keys...
    – X_841
    Commented Jan 17, 2020 at 9:37
  • Can you try using this keyboard on any other machine? A hardware issue wouldn't disappear when changing system
    – X_841
    Commented Jan 17, 2020 at 9:38
  • @TomGewecke After exploring various options, I agree this is a hardware failure. Please post your answer and I'll approve it :)
    – Jonathan
    Commented Jan 19, 2020 at 18:03

5 Answers 5

Reset to default
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I had the issue where I could not find Change Keyboard Type in that interface after migrating to new Mac with Big Sur and wanted to force keyboard re-identification.

Deleting /Library/Preferences/com.apple.keyboardtype.plist (as suggested above by JMY1000) and rebooting solved it. After the reboot the system ran the keyboard setup again and I could set the correct type.

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To force keyboard re-identification without deleting /Library/Preferences/com.apple.keyboardtype.plist and restarting, you can re-trigger the KeyboardSetupAssistant from System/Library - /System/Library/CoreServices/KeyboardSetupAssistant.app

Using Finder:

  1. Menu -> Go -> Go to folder (or Shift + CMD + G)
  2. Input the path: /System/Library/CoreServices
  3. Find and tap on KeyboardSetupAssistant

This have worked on macOS Ventura 13.3.1 for me

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This is likely an XY problem where the solution to multiple key strokes is hardware repair.

Lots of good information on how to force an assistant to query and write a preference, but that won’t fix the reported problem for others in this situation.

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  • Yes, the mismatch between problem and answers here is truly amazing
    – Tom Gewecke
    Commented Oct 8 at 18:43
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Officially, only other external keyboards appear to change the keyboard type, 'Magic Keyboard' for Apple , The keyboard type is recognizable, so it won't appear .

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Install Karabiner Elements

Select Virtual Keyboard | Keyboard Type | ISO Note: ISO is the European keyboard

Additionally, I like to swap Command and Option keys as this fits the Logitech Windows keyboard I am using.

Swap Command and Option Keys

Keyboard | Keyboard Shortcuts | Modifier Keys Select Keyboard (karabiner Driver Kit) Now you can swap Option and Command keys

Note: ISO is the correct keyboard type if you are using a European keyboard.

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  • 3
    Can you elaborate on how this solves the problem of keyboard re-identification described in the question?
    – nohillside ♦
    Commented Oct 8 at 15:26

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