How to Fix ESC Key Not Working on Mac

In the Computer world, the ESC (Escape) key is one of the most important. Everyone uses the Escape key for aborting or cancelling an operation. If you press the ESC (Escape) key but nothing happens or sometimes doesn’t responds when you press the ESC key. Then, the ESC (Escape) key has some issues on your Mac.

If the Escape key is not working correctly, it may be a software problem, or it is usually a hardware problem. If it is a hardware problem, you might need to replace the Escape key to fix the issue or by replacing the whole Keyboard. Or, in case of a Software problem, you can fix a non-functioning Escape key on your Mac by following the methods we discussed below.

4 Methods to Fix ESC (Escape) Key Not Working on Mac:

1. Update your Mac
2. Use the Accessibility Keyboard
3. Use Safe Mode
4. Try to Quit Siri

Methods 1: Update your Mac

If your Mac doesn’t have the latest version of macOS, try to update your Mac to the newest version and Fix ESC (Escape) Key not Working on Mac. Follow our given steps.

• Go to the System Preferences on your Mac.
• Click the Software Update option.
• If you can see an update message, click the Upgrade Now or Update Now option.
• After that, follow the onscreen instruction and wait for the update to be completed.
• Now, restart your Mac and then check the Escape Issue.

Method 2: Use the Accessibility Keyboard

Follow this step if the Escape key is not working using the first method. You can turn on the Accessibility Keyboard and use the ESC key. So, follow our steps to turn on the Accessibility Keyboard.

• Go to the System Preferences option and click Accessibility.
• Now, click Keyboard, select Viewer, and choose Enable Accessibility Keyboard.

If you know it is a hardware problem, you can take your Mac to an Apple Authorized Service Provider or an Apple Store. Apple offers a Keyboard Service program; if your Mac meets some criteria, you don’t need to pay anything.

Method 3: Use Safe Mode

Using Safe mode, try to fix the ESC (Escape) Key not Working on Mac. Restart your Mac in Safe Mode and resolve the issue.

• Go to your Apple Menu on your Mac, click on About This Mac and click the Overview tab.
• If you are using Intel Macs, then turn off your Mac. Now, turn on your Mac and press and hold the Shift key until you see the login screen.
• If you are using Apple Silicon Macs, then turn off your Mac. Turn on the Mac and immediately press and hold the power button until you see the startup options on the screen. Now, select the startup disk, press and hold the Shift key until you see “Continue in Safe Mode”.
• Now, log in to your Mac.
• Restart your Mac and check the ESC key.

Method 4: Try to Quit Siri

Sometimes this Escape key doesn’t work when Siri freezes. So, in this method, we are talking about how to force quit Siri. Follow our steps given below.

• Open Activity Monitor on your Mac, then Application and Utilities.
• Choose the Siri.
• Next, click the Stop button and then select the Force Quit section.

Now, Siri has stopped.