If need be I would reinstall the operating system, without first erasing the disk assuming you have data you'd like to preserve. If that didn't do the trick I would use Disk Utility to repair permissions, verify and repair the disk. If the issue persists for the test user then it's a system wide issue, if it doesn't then it's something in your ~/Library folder. To narrow down the issue I would create a test user account (or just enable and login to the Guest user) to see if the issue persisted when logged in as the test user. If you see what I describe above then your key is functioning properly at the hardware level and the issue instead rests somewhere in your operating system. iFixit has a great guide (and possibly a replacement part) that shows the process. Option + Command + P : hide or show path bar in Finder windows. Option + Command + D : show or hide the Dock. Option + Command + L : open the Downloads folder. Option + Command + Power Button: Put Mac to sleep.
Mac option key shows no entry sign pro#
The repair for this isn't terribly difficult although it is somewhat involved since the top case is basically the chassis that everything bolts to, meaning you have to tear the MacBook Pro down completely in the process. With the ‘Option’ key we find fewer interesting quick functions that you can use in your operating system. If the key had popped off you could replace just the key but any sort of functional (non cosmetic) repair requires the keyboard be replaced. If this is the case then you have to replace the entire top case since the keyboard is built into this component. If you don't see these screens then your key is likely failed at the hardware level. This basically tests the option key at the most basic hardware level before the OS is loaded. The installer USB will actually show up as two different drives with the same icon, 'Install macOS Big Sur Beta' (or similar) and 'EFI Boot'.
If your Mac is having problems with sound volume, display resolution, or time zones, resetting the NVRAM can help. Choose the volume you want to boot from by clicking on it when the options appear on screen. This is just to verify what you should see. (Try repeating this step if you see a prohibited/no-entry sign during boot) Restart the Mac while holding down the Option key to use the Startup Selector. Hold down the Option (Alt) key while you start up your Mac.
Mac option key shows no entry sign password#
If you DO have a firmware password set then you will be prompted to enter the password before moving on. If done correctly, and assuming a firmware password is not set, you should see your internal hard drive show up on the display. Power on your Mac while holding the option key on your keyboard. Funny, I just replied at Stack Exchange as well.