I have a 2017 and my "b" key sometimes repeats and sometimes it doesn't enter at all. Some other keys have had some minor issues too. I tried using compressed air this morning and it didn't fix the issue. I'm on High Sierra, so I will be downgrading to Sierra, but I highly doubt it's a software issue. It seems if I press the key extra hard or press directly in the center, it works (but still repeats). If I press the key on the left side, 25% of the time they key will not press. I'm going to call Apple this afternoon after work but I am wondering if anyone else has advice.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
2017 MacBook Pro Keyboard Issue
- Thread starter Clete2
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
15". I definitely didn't get food into it either. 
I guess I should buy AppleCare now. If this happens 3-4 weeks into using it, I want protection for the next 3 years. AppleCare is just so expensive that I didn't want to spend that money on top of the $3,400 that I spent for this laptop.
I guess I should buy AppleCare now. If this happens 3-4 weeks into using it, I want protection for the next 3 years. AppleCare is just so expensive that I didn't want to spend that money on top of the $3,400 that I spent for this laptop.
Last edited:
I too have a 2017 15" model. I bought about two weeks ago. No issues here, but the 'B' key issue seems to be a trend of sorts on the forum, right?
Please let us know what their resolution is. And yeah, I'd consider AppleCare+... I bought it for mine; it's not cheap, but covers some accidental damage (albeit with an additional fee).
Please let us know what their resolution is. And yeah, I'd consider AppleCare+... I bought it for mine; it's not cheap, but covers some accidental damage (albeit with an additional fee).
The keyboard issues have mostly been the 2016 models, true. Just anecdotally I remember seeing specific issues with the 'b' key... I also tried to search.
Had the exact same issue with my `b` key on my 2016. Brought it in and they replaced the whole top case which resolved the issue but lead to me having some noisy keys when the computer got warm. Brought it in a second time and they put shim kits on the two keys and now everything is working fine.
Update: I'm taking it in for repair on Saturday. Rep thinks they can repair it in store. I am very hopeful because I have to drive an hour to get to the repair place (none in my town). I figure driving 2 hours is better than being without it for a week and a half while it is being repaired.
Definitely invest in AC+ IMHO.
When you are at the store and after they make the repair, while still in the store it might be worth testing the machine both at idle and while under a sustained load because of how heat has had some odd effects on this new keyboard design? (as it would suck if you had to take more than one trip!)
When you are at the store and after they make the repair, while still in the store it might be worth testing the machine both at idle and while under a sustained load because of how heat has had some odd effects on this new keyboard design? (as it would suck if you had to take more than one trip!)
Based on the frequent complaints, there certainly seems to be an inherent problem with the new MBP keyboard, and I've seen several posts here mentioning the "b"-key specifically. Here is one:
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-a-pattern-or-solution.2052375/#post-24716915
The keyboards on the previous MacBook Pro's were always wonderful. I will never understand why Apple decided to go with such a flawed and unergonomic design...
It is their irrational obsession with thinness!Based on the frequent complaints, there certainly seems to be an inherent problem with the new MBP keyboard, and I've seen several posts here mentioning the "b"-key specifically. Here is one:
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-a-pattern-or-solution.2052375/#post-24716915
The keyboards on the previous MacBook Pro's were always wonderful. I will never understand why Apple decided to go with such a flawed and unergonomic design...
Don't get me wrong... I enjoy the thinner/ lighter design of my new machine, but I never thought the previous design was overly large. Imagine the battery life with a Skylake/Kaby Lake Pro with the 99 watt-hour battery from the 2015 form factor!
I found this thread after searching to see if anyone else was having the same issue I'm experiencing. Mine is a late-2016 model (15" TB) and my "b" key randomly repeats as well! Infuriating!
It's done it since it was new and I thought it would eventually wear in, putting up with it because I was overseas for many months, but it hasn't and now I guess I'll need to take it to Apple (3.5 hours away).
It's done it since it was new and I thought it would eventually wear in, putting up with it because I was overseas for many months, but it hasn't and now I guess I'll need to take it to Apple (3.5 hours away).
I understand that you probably need your computer; however, Apple may offer a mail-in service option for the MacBooks. Also, may be worth a call before brining it in - they may have an authorized service center a bit closer to you..?
Sorry about the problem with the keyboard. Very frustrating...
As it happens, I'll be in the other city this weekend, so I spoke with Apple via the website's "call me" support system and they've asked a few questions and made a Genius Bar appointment for me on Sunday. We'll see how it goes!
So I called the authorized retailer and they can't repair it in store. Now I'll be mailing it, but not until Tuesday. I received the box to mail today but I have a meeting on Monday night that I want to attend before mailing it off and being without it for a week. The issue is still happening fairly frequently.
So I went in and, typically, because the issue is totally random, I couldn't get it to do it while I was there. The guy I spoke with said he hadn't seen that particular issue before (keys doing repeats). He suggested they'd take it downstairs, pull the key cap off and check for any dust that could be causing problems, and clean it out with compressed air, etc. So he did that, but given it sometimes won't do it for a day or two and will then start doing it again, he said he'd open a repair case for it so that if it still does it after I've used it for a few days, they'll be able to immediately send it away for repair, which would be a keyboard replacement (or, I'm assuming, a full unit swap).
So we'll see what happens. It sure would be nice if it could be fixed that simply, but only time will tell.
Just to give an update: My repair was incredibly fast. I shipped Tuesday, it arrived Wednesday, Apple shipped it back Wednesday and I got it back on Thursday. They seemingly replaced the entire body including screen and the upper shell including battery and trackpad. Maybe. The only thing listed as replaced was the upper shell and battery, but either they did an awesome job cleaning my screen or they also replaced it.
Everything seems to be working just fine now.
Everything seems to be working just fine now.
I have a 15 mackbook pro with touchbar. The first one lasted for 2 weeks before several keys stopped working. Now, 3 months later, the b key puts out 2-3 letters every few times you use it. This from a $3500 machine? People buy these things because of the quality, well, they used to.
Good luck.
Good luck.
I had a 2016 13" and the "b" and "d" keys stopped responding. . . Luckily my 2017 15" has been free of defects.
The description of what they'd replace on mine if it continued doing it was "661-06377 Top Case with Battery, ANSI, Space Gray".
Speaking of which, after they did the "clean out" on mine it hasn't had the issue since. But it's only been a week and a half, so I don't think I can be sure until I'm a month or two down the track. I imagine they'll just do the free part replacement like with yours if it does start happening again, though.
Not even kidding, my laptop put "bb" last night when I pressed the b key. So far it only happened once, but I'm concerned.
@friednoodles, I had the exact same description.
@friednoodles, I had the exact same description.
make a video of it I would actually like to see this problem. A lot of people talk about double presses but this is very uncommon especially in the butterfly keyboard.
Doubt it's a hardware issue if it's already been replaced.