And you don't need to go to the repair shop," iFixit CEO Kyle Wiens said in a video examining the keyboards. You don't want to accidentally press buttons that could delete important documents or type in a bunch of random characters if you disturb the keys during cleaning. PCMag Digital Group. This model still has butterfly keys right? Beginning to end, the laptop was out of my possession for three days, which I found impressive, given it traveled between Pennsylvania and Texas. Make an appointment to visit your nearest Apple Store to get your MacBook serviced by the Genius Bar. Rate The display of third-party trademarks and trade names on this site does not necessarily indicate any affiliation or the endorsement of PCMag. . I will travel to the UK some time this year and hopefully they will see more reason in the shop. But they might be able to put it back in. Overnight, they send me a box to ship my laptop for repair. 
They have really odd and weak corner connections. This technique can help you remove fluff, fizz and debris that's stuck under your keys. It could be the power key or delete key. So how did Apple fix the issues? To prepare your unit for service, please backup your data. Backblaze is the solution I use and recommend. 
Yikes, that's terrifying. but are you sure you have the right info: Please check this article: https://www.macrumors.com/2018/07/19/app @jules123 - The title says it all! ", In any case I will go to a local store and see what they can do. A torn membrane will result in a top case replacement. In my case, the emails were separated by only a few hours. The repair website iFixit confirmed that the new 16-inch model does ditch the error-prone 'butterfly switch' keyboards, which have bedeviled the MacBook line for the past four years. Instead, use a damp cotton swab to gently clean the keys or an electronic cleaning wipe. Though minor design changes were made throughout, the central problem (sticky keys) remained and were experienced by many users. If you've got visible crumbs still hanging out on your keyboard, use a small vacuum tool to remove them. To identify your computer's model and to see if it is eligible for this program, choose Apple () menu > About This Mac. The space bar cap and hinged fasteners can be easily damaged, so please install them carefully rather than simply press down. Package includes: 1 X spacebar key cap and hinge. Sign up for What's New Now to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every morning. Instead, in early January, I communicated with Apple Support online. Apple employees can determine if the key needs to be replaced and can give you the estimated time it will take to do so., If you don't live near an Apple Store, you can mail your MacBook to the Apple Repair Center.. The butterfly mechanism was found in every Apple laptop produced between 2015 and much of 2019. thanks a great deal! When taking out the old spacebar cover, gently lift it from the upper left corner to the upper right corner (first release the top button), then take out the old spacebar cover; 2. I so regret every buying a Mac. You can: Typically when I have a hardware problem with an Apple product, I head to the nearest retail store. The service turn-around time may vary depending upon the type of service and availability of replacement parts. You also don't want that cable getting in your way. As all you'll do is make a bigger mess! @jules123 - I've had a few come by me with this issue. Keyboard Service Program for MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro. Aug 27, 2021 by The Apple representative said the turn-around time for keyboard replacements usually took 1-2 business days. According to iFixit, the scissor-switch actually tends to push out dust and dirt as you type, rather than capture it. Well, the company basically reverted back to using the old keyboard tech it had in the company's laptops. Power off your MacBook before you start cleaning the keyboard. Damn, was looking at getting MacBook Pro 16" i9 (2019) as that is the last model with Intel CPU. Otherwise, those sticky keys could cost you a lot of money. If you believe your Mac notebook was affected by this issue, and you paid to have your keyboard repaired, you can contact Apple about a refund. Modifying this control will reload this page, Keyboard Service Program for MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro, Letters or characters repeat unexpectedly, Key(s) feel "sticky" or do not respond in a consistent manner, MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports), MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports), MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports), MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports), MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports), MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports), MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports). Luckily, theres a hardware fix that will cost you nothing. If your keys still aren't working after you've cleaned from every direction, there may be a much larger issue causing your keyboard to not work. As I stated you don't need to worry about it to get your system to work. Press J to jump to the feed. However, it does contain some language thats important to know. "You're going to get crap stuck inside these keys. Apple will replace it for free if you say it broke while cleaning for repeating keys. Those keycaps are a pain, but some geniuses have mastered the art of reassembling the mechanism if the structure where it mounts is not broken. Using the same zigzag pattern, spray the keys again. Demand for Google Chromebooks Continues To Plunge, Apple's M2 MacBook Air Contains No Intel Components, Russian Agent Paid US Group To Protest Facebook's Parent Meta, Valve: We Can Now Ship More Steam Decks Sooner, Starlink Satellites Get Upgrades To Prevent Interference With Astronomy, Intel Takes a Hit As Consumers Stop Buying PCs Amid Downturn. Make sure you're holding your MacBook at a 70-degree angle, rather than vertically. First introduced with the 12-inch MacBook in early 2015, the butterfly keyboard replaced the previous models traditional scissor mechanism. But you don't want to just aim and shoot because you may miss some of the hidden debris or lodge it further under the key.. This can cause water damage and leave you with a worse situation than sticking keys. They dont just forcibly remove. The last thing you want to do is allow the gunk to fly under another key. The type of service will be determined after the keyboard is examined and may involve the replacement of one or more keys or the whole keyboard. If it falls out as you begin, you'll need to reinsert it. My machine even felt snapper because of it! All rights reserved. Released in May 2019 with new 6-core and 8-core processor options. A community for all things relating to Apple's Macintosh line of computers. Since Im not in the country of purchase I had it sent through to the UK expensively and Apple sent it to a repair place of theirs in the Czech Republic. replacement uppercase was $450 for the part and 120 for the labor. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. In 2015, Apple started to transition the laptops to the company's ultra-thin butterfly keyboards, which offer quieter typing. Installation tips: 1. 1. As part of the process, Apple sends out emails indicating when work begins and ends on the laptop. Please don't try any other solution! In any case the Czechs refused to fix it under warranty but rather wanted over 1,400 pounds for doing so. Here's Chrome does an excellent job of storing your browsing history, cache, and cookies to optimize your browser performance online. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Will apple cover repair it for free if not what cost do I have to give? There are three ways to get a keyboard replacement. I have 2017 model and my spacekey just got broken and popped out while cleaning. Average Did you know it also comes with a replacement battery? Keep reading to learn a technique that works well and will help keep you from emptying a whole can of air for nothing. Please choose one of the options below for service. If so, it wont go back in again. The new keyboard is nearly identical to Apples wireless Magic Keyboard and provides more travel than the discontinued mechanism. email big Tim at Apple tcook@Apple.com explain what happened focus on the space bar coming off not the membrane and how you tried to get it fixed only getting it back without the case and a repair price for what should have been a extended warranty repair Keyboard Service Program for MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro. Unfortunately I still have project files on Logic Pro, which are locked to Mac that I need to take off and convert to other programs that are not locked to Apple. If you look at the bottom of the removed key closest to the camera, it looks like there are clips broken off. Im out of the country for long term and there are no Apple stores here, just authorised distributors and they say I am out of my limited 1-year warranty so they wanna charge for the replacement, but it would take 4-6 weeks for them to replace it. PCMag, PCMag.com and PC Magazine are among the federally registered trademarks of Ziff Davis and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. [Package] 1 black space bar cap and 1 white space hinge[Buy without risk] For any reason you are not satisfied, you can return the Space bar KeyCap and WE WILL REFUND you full money! Make sure the straw is securely attached. Working in technology, I knew immediately what was causing these typing problems: the MacBook Pros butterfly keyboard. I see. you're still within 4 years of purchase, you can still get Apple to replace the keyboard for free per their quality program. I will investigate this more tomorrow morning, Mar 24, 2021 by As far as getting your system working if that too fails, sorry to say there is no Plan-B option. Apples Keyboard Service Program forMacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro really works well. 1996-2022 Ziff Davis. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Check it out. Though Apple never admitted any wrong, it did implement a keyboard service program for those affected. Julian He Julian He, 2022 iFixit Licensed under Creative Commons Privacy If one key starts to malfunction, you can usually fix it individually, without needing to replace the entire keyboard deck. 8. Spray your keyboard from left to right in a zig-zag pattern. This is so the debris can fall out cleanly and away from your keyboard. Never spray liquid on your MacBook's keyboard. During this process I was also insulted by their senior staff on the phone. Continuously press down on the nozzle for an even stream and slowly spray the compressed air in a methodical zigzag pattern across your keyboard. In some cases, there may be a cost associated with the repair. In fact, its four times more stable than that scissor mechanism Yet it is 40% thinner, allowing us to make a thinner keyboard.. I didnt pay this fantasy amount and the computer was sent back unrepaired and without my laptop bag. Katie is a Writer at CNET, covering all things how-to. Without a service program or AppleCare+ plan, its costly to replace Apple products hardware. Make sure you snap it into the nozzle before you begin, and make sure it's a snug fit. Prior to working at PCMag, I was a foreign correspondent in Beijing for over five years, covering the tech scene in Asia. Unfortunately, you have sticky key syndrome -- that's when dust, crumbs or other gunk gets stuck under a key and keeps it from depressing easily. Anyway, is there something I could do to use the system in the meantime without the bar de-attaching constantly. As someone who uses his laptop for 10-12 hours per day, I appreciated seeing a zero cycle battery count. The box, designed to protect your investment during transport, included a next-day return label, which was definitely a nice touch. Copyright 2022 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. The way Apple has designed most of its products in recent years has made it nearly impossible to do at-home repairs. But you can just pop these keys off and clean it out. 2022 CNET, a Red Ventures company. Are some keys sticking or not working at all? This time, you'll start at the fn (function) key. We use cookies on our websites for a number of purposes, including analytics and performance, functionality and advertising. The old keyboard tech refers to the "scissor-switch," the mechanism that sits under each key. This model still has butterfly keys right? Apple instead reverted back to using the reliable 'scissor switch' mechanism. Since that time a lot of stuff happened. The same can't be said for other MacBook models. Price: $19.99(as of Jul 29,2022 22:56:33 UTC Details). Built from a single assembly supported by a stainless-steel dome switch, this butterfly mechanism was supposed to bring more stability and accuracy to typing, according to Apples Phil Schiller. At the time of this writing, Apples Keyboard Service Program covers the following laptops: To determine whether your laptop qualifies, choose the Apple menu at the top left of your device. Youre laptop probably has a pesky butterfly keyboard inside. Ditto the floor or whatever surface the gunk has fallen onto. "The new Magic Keyboard in the 16-inch MacBook Pro uses switches that look and feel almost identical to much older Apple devices," Purdy added. The spacebar under my space bar is torn as I wanted to clean there without knowing that a torn membrane requires a top case replacement. Wipe up or vacuum away any remaining pieces. New Replacement Spacebar Key Cap and Hinge for MacBook Pro Retina 13 / 15 A1989 A1990 2018-2019 Year for MacBook Air A1932 2018-2019year Keyboard Space Bar Key Cap, Enable registration in settings - general. Note: If your MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro has any damage which impairs the service, that issue will need to be repaired first. Gradually, these hiccups took different forms from letters and characters repeating unexpectedly or not appearing while typing. Be careful not to tear the membrane. I also phoned Apple about it, since the computer is still under warranty. Here's how to find out. I fixed it for $60 plus to the cost of the needed key parts I think it was around $50. Very Poor. Keep an eye on your inbox! (Renewed) Apple MacBook Air MJVM2LL/A 11.6 Inch Laptop (Intel Core i5 Dual-Core 1.6GHz up to 2.7GHz, 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, Integrated Intel HD Graphics 6000, Mac OS), Apple MacBook Air 13.3in LED Laptop Intel i5-5250U Dual Core 1.6GHz 4GB 128GB SSD Early 2015 MJVE2LL/A (Renewed), (Renewed) Apple MacBook Air MJVE2LL/A 13-inch Laptop 1.6GHz Core i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD, (Renewed) Apple MacBook Pro 13in Core i5 Retina 2.7GHz (MF840LL/A), 8GB Memory, 256GB Solid State Drive, Apple 13in MacBook Pro, Retina Display, 2.3GHz Intel Core i5 Dual Core, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD, Space Grey, MPXQ2LL/A (Renewed), (Renewed) Apple MacBook Air MD711LL/A 11.6-inch Laptop Intel Core i5 1.3GHz 4GB RAM 128GB SSD. At this point your best bet is to replace the parts as the small catches are often damaged which is why the keycap is not staying on. Not that bad The technology is standard across the PC industry, and repair-friendly. Did you know you can replace your MacBook keyboard for free? Copyright 2007-2021 groovyPost LLC | All Rights Reserved, How to Permanently Delete Your Twitter Account, How to Export and Import Microsoft Office Ribbon Customizations, MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports), MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports), MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports), MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports), MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports), MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports), MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports). Start with the top left key and stop at the last key on the bottom right so that you don't miss a spot. In this case, the MacBookscomplicated assembly actually benefits users who take advance of the keyboard service program. PCMag.com is a leading authority on technology, delivering lab-based, independent reviews of the latest products and services. The second wasn't! In this case, Apples offering free service. While it would be nice to have it, it won't prevent you from fixing your system by replacing the damaged parts. ow I kow who broke the keyboard from the laptop they gave me i my ew job. Before you start spraying your keyboard with compressed air, make sure you've got the laptop powered off and unplugged. Check out how to clean your gross phone screen. https://www.pcmag.com/news/ifixit-16-inch-macbook-pro-has-easy-to-repair-keyboard, Read Great Stories Offline on Your Favorite, PC Magazine Digital Edition (Opens in a new window), How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad, How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill, How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP3 Files, How to Record the Screen on Your Windows PC or Mac. If the white butterfly hinge is not damaged, when installing the space key cap, first aim at the buckle at the lower end of the key cap and then gently press the upper end. Heres how to replace your MacBook keyboard through an Apple service programforMacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro. Got sticky keys? FITABLE MODELIt will fit for MacBook Pro Retina 13&15 A1989 A1990 2018-2019 Year keyboard, and for MacBook Air keyboard 13 A1932 2018-2019[Note] Please look at the pictures carefully and check your computer model to make sure that you ordered is correct.If you are not sure about your computer model, please contact us, we have professional engineers to help you! If you click an affiliate link and buy a product or service, we may be paid a fee by that merchant. These keys need to have clips unclicked and then a little wiggle to the side to remove without damage. This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. One was still under warranty so Apple took care of it. "Caution: The keyboard has a membrane under the keycaps to prevent debris from entering the butterfly mechanism. The butterfly keys dont pop out little other keys. Good Perfect On the flipside, if you find there's no gunk underneath, you may have a dead key, which is a bigger problem for you because Apple will have to replace the keys (which could take several days). The word sticky came to mind when describing the problem. It has no active role in how you space bar works other that interfering with its action if it gets in the way. Note: No other Mac notebook models are part of this program. If you encounter difficulties, you can feel free to contact us in time, we have professional engineers to help you. , , . They are also fitted with some kind of dust free membrane that is weaved into the space bar. One of the many reasons they are so hated, Had this happen to my N key on 2018 MacBook. Of the butterfly mechanism, he explained during the reveal, And that all adds up to a key that is much more precise and accurate. He was talking bout cosuin ( some Japanese character or som) not his cousin! Beginning in mid-2020, I began noticing problems with the keyboard on my 2018 MacBook Pro. As a result the space bar now sits completely loose in the case without being latched onto it. If any doubts,pls not hesitate to contact with me. If you've got a butterfly keyboard, don't ruthlessly pry the keys off because it can cause damage to the butterfly clip mounts. Sorry to hear your bad luck. Tired of the "I" key on your MacBook's keyboard never pressing down because you spilled some sticky soda on it months ago? I carefully anchored the torn membrane and replaced the damaged parts. Details: Applicable model: For MacBook Pro Retina 13 &15 A1989 A1990 and for MacBook Air 13 A1932 2018-2019 Year. Most of the other buttons pop out fine, the space bar is not fine. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time. Your subscription has been confirmed. Your Rating Second, the program only covers eligible MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro models for four years after the units first retail sale. Instead, place a thin flat tool underneath the edge of the key and gently lift up. After quick questions and answers back and forth through text, the Apple representative determined that my laptop qualified for the program. It's annoying and keeps you from working as efficiently as you could., If your first instinct is to reach for a can of compressed air to clean underneath those keys, you're on the right track. Hers's how to Buying in-store doesn't mean you have to pay higher prices. Never spray liquid of any kind onto your keyboard.
The parts will need to be replaced as I explained the keycaps (space bar in your case) have small catches which if they break off can't be fixed. Start at the top-right key -- this varies, depending on which MacBook model you're using. Is your MacBook keyboard not working as expected? Want to know how to properly clean your other electronic devices? Our expert industry analysis and practical solutions help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology. 2. (Last year, the company began offering free repairs, amid class action lawsuits.). To get rid of any loose debris or crumbs, turn your laptop upside down and lightly tap the bottom. The type of service will be determined after the keyboard is examined and may involve the replacement of one or more keys or the whole keyboard. (Please do not press directly, it is easy to break the key cap or hinge); 3. What other and faster ways are there to fix this problem? However, the butterfly switches can fail if dust ever gets lodged inside them. Exactly, why do dumbass shit kids wanna tear stuff up? Accessibility, TheBookYard - MacBook ProRetina 2018 - Mid 2019 KeyCaps. Better still, because of how Apple has designed its MacBooks, other hardware gets replaced simultaneously. Apple has determined that a small percentage of the keyboards in certain MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro models may exhibit one or more of the following behaviors: Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider will service eligible MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro keyboards, free of charge. @jules123. Again, use the zigzag pattern to spray your keyboard with the compressed air. And, beginningwith the 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro, a familiar scissor mechanism returned on keyboards on new laptops with the butterfly keyboard no more. Turn off your laptop and unplug it from the power cord. Be upset and angry express how you are very disappointed, explain you will not be buying a Apple system again if you can't get this system fixed. The feel is so close that a keyboard cap pried off from Apple's official wireless desktop keyboards will fit over a scissor-switch on the 16-inch MacBook Pro. I actually switched to Windows (I have a high end Windows machine and a more basic one now) before and after we spoke, which has been working out greatly. If so, Im afraid it might be fucked. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. When you purchase a can of compressed air, it comes with a thin straw taped to the side of the can. Model A1990 / EMC 3359. Please doit now before the program runs its course. Your Mac notebook will be examined prior to any service to verify that it is eligible for this program. That'll mean less work the compressed air has to do. Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 vs. Apple MacBook Air: Which Slick Ultraportable Should You Buy? The repair experts at iFixit have good news about Apple's new 16-inch MacBook Pro: If the keyboard ever gets gunk inside, it should be easy to fix. Thankfully was a work computer and switched jobs not long after. This worldwide Apple program does not extend the standard warranty coverage of your Mac notebook.
When she's not writing, she enjoys playing in golf scrambles, practicing yoga and spending time on the lake. When Apple replaces the keyboard on your MacBook, it must also replace the battery, aluminum top case, and trackpad. I've been with PCMag since October 2017, covering a wide range of topics, including consumer electronics, cybersecurity, social media, networking, and gaming. Save the short bursts for spot-checking after you've done a thorough cleaning. If you have one of the laptops mentioned above and detect even minor problems with its keyboard, contact Apple Support. @danj Hi Dan Im back with some more questions.
From there, select About This Mac to see which MacBook you own. Terms First the membrane is a dust shield. Grab a can of compressed air. Making the problem worse has been the potential fix: In the past, Apple was telling consumers to pay between $400 to $700 to get their whole keyboards replaced. Even with the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, I found this to be the case. I want to buy a new M1 or newer MacBook but it's this shit that has me hesitant, I really want to get into the apple ecosystem after always being Android but with being a bit of a techy and knowing how awful it is to fix their shit, it makes me second guess it. If the white butterfly hinge is damaged, loosen the left (or right) clasp of the hinge first and then replace the new hinge. Unfortunately, that wasnt an option for me because of COVID-19 restrictions in place at the time. In some cases, there may be a cost associated with the repair.. So you could try to replace them your self getting the parts from TheBookYard or find a local independent repair shop that fixes Macs. The program covers eligible MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro models for 4 years after the first retail sale of the unit. Fortunately, the keyboard on the latest MacBook Pro should be free of the repair headaches. On Friday, iFixit confirmed that the 16-inch model does ditch the error-prone "butterfly switch" keyboards, which have bedeviled the MacBook line for the past four years. "Your long butterfly keyboard nightmare is over," wrote(Opens in a new window) iFixit staffer Kevin Purdy, who added: "It feels like a do-over, a throwback, almost an apology.". Heres one source for the needed parts TheBookYard - MacBook ProRetina 2018 - Mid 2019 KeyCaps, Oh wow this is the first good news today! So which way are you going to go $560 USD or in your case doing your self so its only the cost of the parts. First, Apple notes, If your MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro has any damage which impairs the service, that issue will need to be repaired first. [Be careful] The space bar cap needs to be removed and installed with special care. Backing up your data to the cloud via an automated service is critical. Eligible models are listed below. Have you tried replacing the cousin instead? Julian He. Once you've done that, give your keys a good wipe down with an electronic cleaning wipe. Concerning the fix I did on the MacBook, the spacebar was never fully attached and it tended come off very easily, so I had to be put it back on 100s of times which was rather painstaking.