Long story but explains why this pea tinfoil idea works, whilst at the same time leaving a question I hope someone else can answer . . . . . .

A few months back my wireless keyboard also just packed up completely. I couldn't work out what was wrong but it did seem that when I put the batteries into the keyboard they were sticking out further than before, so it was a bit more difficult to put the battery cover cap back on. I tried a few different things unsuccessfully and then gave up and dumped it in a drawer.

I had another go this morning and had an idea - a bad one, albeit with a postive result - to try and screw or push the battery terminal inside down into the battery compartment, in case the connection had been separated. I did this by putting double-sided sticky tape onto the handle of a wooden spoon to try and push/screw it back down. My 'ingenious' idea had an unexpected outcome in that when I pulled the spoon out I also pulled out the +positive connector from inside the keyboard, leaving the spring underneath exposed.

Now the batteries are in direct contact with the spring and the keyboard works just fine.

Clearly the tinfoil idea is a far better one than my brutal approach but what I'm a bit mystified by is the +positive on the battery can not even touch the metal connector, which is set too deep inside a plastic frame that stops it from touching it. . . . so was there something else inside that has fallen out that the pea tinfoil acts as a replacement for ?. . . . answsers on a postcard please. . . .

Wow, it really does work. I believe that if a bad battery fuses to the bottom there, it causes the spring to breakdown....just a theory.

Bad replacement batteries?

It works ! how amazing ~~~

Thanks ~

That's crazy! You just make my day with my wireless keyboard which works again!! Thank you, it's brillant!

batteries have acid and there is acid is around the battery compartment,this is making the electric contacts to loose continuty.

Try to clean the inside with a long piece of towelpaper humid with windex upside down, avoid to soak the towel paper, and let run fluid far the compartment, clean until it all the white colors disapears.

if you have a long metal brush, just bush the inside of the compartment. wash the aluminum cover with water and it will be done!.

very easy :D

Next time use quality batteries to avoid spills. this usually happends when you stop using your keyboard for a long time.

If you want to avoid this to happend, remove batteries before to store.

yes yes yes!!! i too had the same issue and had this piece of advice not worked, it would've gone into the trash. my keyboard worked after battery leak. So so happy, thank you!!!

01-31-2012 from sunny LA, CA :) GO LAKERS!!!

Thanks to Jensekin (and several posters at the Apple Support Communities forums), my Apple Wireless Keyboard is now working again! It was bought in April 2008 from Amazon, so is now close to four years old, but it's still in good shape, and would have been a shame to throw away.

By the way, I had already cleaned the contacts and checked for dirt inside the barrel, not speaking of testing with several sets of batteries. I can even testify that the spring inside the barrel is still working - but obviously it isn't strong enough any more, as only the aluminium foil ball brought the keyboard back to life again.

Best wishes from frosty southern Germany.

WOW.. found this answer via Google

thank you...it is 10/4/12 and the keyboard di not work after battery change

I tried the pea size aluminum foil and it worked perfectly. Thank you so much for posting this

It worked perfectly. I'm using the keyboard to type this thank you note.

I was convinced mine had crapped the bed, but the tin foil trick worked like a charm! Try it - what've you got to lose! Thanks!

Jenskine, thanks a lot for the info. Mine worked perfectly after following your advice.