Jump to content

A few keys on my keyboard aren't working 50% of the time


Guest Lobo

Recommended Posts

Macbook pro.  Suddenly my M/,/. keys aren't working about half the time...wanna figure it out before I pop the keys off.  Keys themselves are fine, just usual wear to the paint.  But aren't registering me typing them half the time.  Any suggestions?  Thanks.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Compressed air helped a little.  Plug 'n play keyboard works just fine.  The keys still work half the time I hit them (that's what she said).  

But I'm worried it's gonna get worse and/or "spread" to more keys.  Because I can get them to work better if I stop typing with two hands and strategically hit them in the corners, they work just fine...so guessing it's a "sensor" or whatever the cuss you call the deal below the actual plastic key?  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ha ha

It's not that

They are working fine as far as not sticking    

It's something to do with the sensor underneath.   It clicks and registers most of the time.  I'm afraid it's a hardware issue down below but don't want to pop the keys off.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 minutes ago, Lobo said:

Ha ha

It's not that

They are working fine as far as not sticking    

It's something to do with the sensor underneath.   It clicks and registers most of the time.  I'm afraid it's a hardware issue down below but don't want to pop the keys off.

If it’s a MacBook, dont just pop them off, you wont get them back on.

 

Depending on year model, there was an entire design structure of keyboards that were notorious for this. 

https://www.macrumors.com/guide/butterfly-keyboard-vs-scissor-keyboard/

 

I think there may have been a recall at some point, for some models. But either way, you are looking at a trip to an Apple store.

 

  • Hook 'Em 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

As stated, the Macs with the butterfly keyboards are problematic.  What year is your device?

Also, there is an Apple service program for these laptops:

https://support.apple.com/keyboard-service-program-for-mac-notebooks

I had my 2017 15" MBP serviced; it was painless.  They mail you a box, you ship the laptop off...and I got it back in 3 days or so.  Aside from getting a new keyboard, you also get a new battery out of the deal.

 

 

  • Hook 'Em 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Lobo said:

Macbook pro.  Suddenly my M/,/. keys aren't working about half the time...wanna figure it out before I pop the keys off.  Keys themselves are fine, just usual wear to the paint.  But aren't registering me typing them half the time.  Any suggestions?  Thanks.  

Had this happen on a laptop about a dozen or so years ago.  Actually, i had a heavy ass crystal trophy fall off the hutch and land directly in the middle of that poor thing, destroying 4-5 keys. My southern engineering ass just bought an external keyboard and that bitch worked like a champ.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Again, thanks for tips and porn judgement.  I know I get long-winded on other threads, but to concisely wrap this one up...the keys are fine on the "outside/top."  They look and sound just fine.  They're just not registering on the screen about half the time and as I started this thread...a key very far away from the 3 in question started being a little shithead.  Taking to Genius Bar on way home in a bit.  If it's acute all over the board, I'm cool getting another attached keyboard but most of the places I work, that'd be such a pain in the ass for my eyesight.  But gotta do what I gotta do.  I'm hoping they can just replace a few sensors and I can keep the current setup.  Butterfly v scissor debate both on laptops and erotica may play heavily into this.  I'm apparently right on the cusp of the models in question.  I'd ergonomically prefer a connected keyboard but my eyes and physical desk will hate it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, Lobo said:

Again, thanks for tips and porn judgement.  I know I get long-winded on other threads, but to concisely wrap this one up...the keys are fine on the "outside/top."  They look and sound just fine.  They're just not registering on the screen about half the time and as I started this thread...a key very far away from the 3 in question started being a little shithead.  Taking to Genius Bar on way home in a bit.  If it's acute all over the board, I'm cool getting another attached keyboard but most of the places I work, that'd be such a pain in the ass for my eyesight.  But gotta do what I gotta do.  I'm hoping they can just replace a few sensors and I can keep the current setup.  Butterfly v scissor debate both on laptops and erotica may play heavily into this.  I'm apparently right on the cusp of the models in question.  I'd ergonomically prefer a connected keyboard but my eyes and physical desk will hate it.

They cannot. It’s a complete top case replacement. So if you are covered under the recall or an AppleCare agreement, as said above, it will be pretty painless. Otherwise, you will be paying for a new top case/buying a new machine/having to go external keyboard.

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks again.  Had it assessed.  Going to go full manual keyboard-external. Whatever the fuck the Dutch call it.  Until I get my annual overhaul this summer/autumn.  Thanks y'all for the advice.  Glad I didn't start popping off keys.  @

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, Lobo said:

Macbook pro.  Suddenly my M/,/. keys aren't working about half the time...wanna figure it out before I pop the keys off.  Keys themselves are fine, just usual wear to the paint.  But aren't registering me typing them half the time.  Any suggestions?  Thanks.  

How old?  Is it one of the ones around 2017 with the low-travel "butterfly" keyboard?

If it is, there's a decent chance you can get it replaced free, even way out of warranty.  And the best part, you get a whole new topcase, and battery.

And, I don't believe the butterfly keys pop off.  Don't try it unless you have specific instructions on doing it.

ETA:  see this has been covered.  I had a problem with a key that wasn't backlighting.  It wasn't specifically the butterfly kb "recall" problem.  But the "genius" said "close enough" and I got about 1/3 of a new MBP.  Like two years out of warranty.  And it took them less than 24 hours, pre-pandemic.

Edited by TwiceHorn
Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, Lobo said:

Macbook pro.  Suddenly my M/,/. keys aren't working about half the time...wanna figure it out before I pop the keys off.  Keys themselves are fine, just usual wear to the paint.  But aren't registering me typing them half the time.  Any suggestions?  Thanks.  

Don't cum on the keyboard when you are jerking to porn.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, Bevo said:

Don't cum on the keyboard when you are jerking to porn.

Understood.  but your mom's mouth can only hold so much.  The angle bracket chevrons gonna have to do some work, yo!

 

Also, thanks for good intel here.  Made my decision more informed.  Y'all have a good night.  

Edited by Lobo
Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, Nice Guy Eddie said:

For a home office, mechanical keyboards are the way to go. They'll drive anyone else in the house insane with the noise but that's not my problem.

Buy one of these, record a couple Teams meetings you can replay when needed, close your home office door and no one will bother you again.

spacer.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



×
×
  • Create New...