I got 2 BPI-M2-Zero boards, both with the same problem. I can’t get a keyboard to work. Lights never even flash, no capslock etc. No power to the mouse either. Both boards boot fine but I can’t go anywhere from there. I’ve tried 3 different keyboards. All of which work on my raspberry pi zero w. I’ve tried the latest armbians: Armbian_23.5.2_Bananapim2zero_jammy_current_6.1.30.img Armbian_23.5.2_Bananapim2zero_bookworm_current_6.1.30.img
Did I just get two bad boards?
Thanks!
Hi, Hi Mickey,
No your boards are not bad. I had the same problem with the same image versions. Apperently USB is not working of this armbian version. I ended up using the UBUNTU variant as seen on the wiki-pages: https://wiki.banana-pi.org/Banana_Pi_BPI-M2_ZERO#Armbian
Regards, Erik
armbian disable microusb host mode since 5.17, you can apply this patch m2zero_armbian_6.x_enable_otg_host.patch (5.0 KB) and build armbian image by yourself to enable otg host mode.
Hi August,
Thank you, that clears some questions 
Regards, Erik (Enthusiastic RPI user and BPI newbie)
I’m going to reply just in case someone else hits this.The bana-pi’s usb is kind of sensitive. I had a micro usb to usb-C adaptor and a usb-C to standard to plug in the keyboard. (aka 2 daisy-chained adaptors) This setup worked on my pc and the raspberry pi zero w but NOT the banana-pi. I think it’s not as fault tolerant. I even did a self-made adaptor that worked everywhere but the banana-pi. It’s only 6$ for two of the single adaptors so if anyone is having trouble, it’s well worth it.
Can you please explain how to patch? I’m a newbie for these kinds of things
Sorry i just dont understand so the BP m2 zero worked only with the adapters you linked and you didnt have to change OS or anything else?? Thanks in advance.
Yes, exactly. I had other adaptors that worked with the R-pie but not the M2-zero. I was shocked when the one I listed worked. I used the two mainline distros I listed above and they both worked.
another simple way is disable load g_serial module
anyone reading this topic in 2023 by the fall, I suggest you just follow this procedure: 1- ignore any patch posted above, don’t buy any new otg cable whatsoever. 2- just load the image to your sd card as usual, does not matter via windows, linux or balena etcher etc. 3- get a linux machine or virtualbox on your windows 4- open a terminal and sudo chmod -R 777 ‘/media/whateveryourusername/armbi_root/etc/modules’ 5-open the modules e.g. via nano or something, sudo nano ‘/media/whateveryourusername/armbi_root/etc/modules’ 6- Put # to front of g_serial in the first line and save. 7-Save your nerves for real life challenges, not for this or absurd/incomplete/lazy suggestions.
That is it.
What they said is great! Thanks for an easier solution than patching/building a distro. If anyone is having trouble getting a keyboard to work, first download a full desktop disro. If it fails then it’s the problem I had (hardware) otherwise adjust your os as above.
thanks and happy hacking!
This Answer Is Not In The Place It Should Be (Official Documentation). Absolutely Brilliant Sedar! Thank You Very Much. I am sure Banana Pi lost more than a few clients around this omission.