After denial that it would happen to me, I'm starting to get the keyboard problem

[xxray]

I figured, what are the odds this will happen to me? It's only happening to a lower percentage of MacBook users. Consumer Reports still reports Apple as the most reliable laptop brand. I have the 2018 model which is supposed to have more protection to prevent this from happening. Even if it does happen, I have 4 years of coverage to get it fixed! Now here I am, having the laptop for only 5 months, and my 'O' key and my spacebar have been double registering here and there. I thought maybe I was just accidentally double tapping those keys since all of the keys have such low travel, but I tested it slowly and I could watch as the 'O' key would produce double the amount of letters repeatedly.

After spending $2000 on the laptop just 5 months ago and with school just started, I'm really annoyed at the thought of having to take it in to get it fixed. I'll probably just deal with it till it gets too annoying. Just thought I'd share for those of you who might've been like me when thinking about purchasing this laptop. I think I'd still get it to be honest, but just be aware, it could definitely happen to you.

 

[niray9]

I have exactly the same laptop, had exactly the same rationalization while buying it. However I’m still within Costco’s 90 day return window. Will most probably return it.

 

[jerryk]

No guarantee that the 2019 or later systems will not have the same issue.

Did you at least try the Apple clean procedure? And you can try the old press hard on the key and wobble it to grind up anything stuck in there before taking it in. Sometime it works on Macs and non-Apple keyboards.

 

[Fishrrman]

The problem is, and has been, the poor design of the butterfly keyboard from its inception in the 2016 design.
Apple has been able to "slow down" the failure rate some, but they'll never eliminate it, because it's a bad design concept in the first place.

Only the upcoming "new scissors" keyboards (in the 16" MBP models) may finally eliminate this (but we won't even know THAT until they've been in service for a year or two).

OP -- your best bet is to take it back to Apple and get the keyboard replaced.
Perhaps the replacement will last a little longer...

 

[Juicy Box]

That sucks that this is even happening to people. You are starting school now, and have to deal with this issue, at least it is still under warranty.

I have been a long time Apple user, and I am really disappointed in the direction that Apple is going with some of their products.

I know a lot of people think that Apple products are rated and judged at a higher level than many other electronic companies, but when it comes to the keyboard issue, a primary component and something that is labor-intensive to replace, people dismiss it as being not a big deal, or only affects a small percentage.

I just don't think this would happen if it was another brand.

As for the small percentage affected, this is only the ones that report it, that number is most likely much higher.

I currently have a Late 2011 17" MBP, and I would be really uncomfortable to replace it with any of the MBPs after the 2015.

Hopefully, the 2019 MBPs keyboards do better.

 

[smirking]

Did you at least try the Apple clean procedure? And you can try the old press hard on the key and wobble it to grind up anything stuck in there before taking it in. Sometime it works on Macs and non-Apple keyboards.

I'm not a fan of the compressed air technique. I think it's mostly a placebo for the majority of people. It's an old trick carried over from mechanical keyboards that are susceptible to dust getting into the switches and causing the switches to "chatter". The butterfly keyboard's switches are sealed. Dust can't get into the actual switch so I don't know what compressed air will do for you.

As @jerryk suggested, press firmly and wiggle slowly in a circular direction. If debris is causing the jam, this should crush it.

If you have a corner of the key that appears to be sunken in or the key only works if you strike it dead center, try gently lifting up the keycap. If it tilts up at all without much prying, you have a fractured binding on the keycap that Apple people have reported Apple replacing for them in-store while they wait. A fractured binding will affect the keycap alignment and cause the the butterfly mechanism not to work because the force of your key strike isn't actually getting to the levers.

 

[jamesgryffindor99]

welcome to the keyboard fail club! I've had 7 failed 3rd gen (6 2018, 1 2019 on a 2018 15" MBP) keyboards so far, all duplicate keypress issues, across 5 different MBPS (so many failures they keep replacing my machine). I'm on a 2019 15" now finally, and this keyboard's lasted a bit over a month now.

 

[niray9]

welcome to the keyboard fail club! I've had 7 failed 3rd gen (6 2018, 1 2019 on a 2018 15" MBP) keyboards so far, all duplicate keypress issues, across 5 different MBPS (so many failures they keep replacing my machine). I'm on a 2019 15" now finally, and this keyboard's lasted a bit over a month now.

Has your 2019 keyboard ever been replaced? OR are you on your 1st 2019 keyboard now?

 

[bbednarz]

I really hope it doesn't end up happening to my 2018 Air. I really prefer that style of keyboard. I like the low amount of key travel compared to other keyboards. Although, I suppose the standard Mac keyboards are fine too. Its just those ones with really thick keys and a lot of travel that I can't stand. All this being said.. If Apple was confident in the design you would think they would make a stand alone keyboard with the butterfly mechanism.

 

[buran-energia]

welcome to the keyboard fail club! I've had 7 failed 3rd gen (6 2018, 1 2019 on a 2018 15" MBP) keyboards so far, all duplicate keypress issues, across 5 different MBPS (so many failures they keep replacing my machine). I'm on a 2019 15" now finally, and this keyboard's lasted a bit over a month now.

What are you running on them?

 

[jamesgryffindor99]

Has your 2019 keyboard ever been replaced? OR are you on your 1st 2019 keyboard now?

First 2019 keyboard was on my last 2018 and it failed with duplicates after about a month. So 2nd 2019 keyboard, but this 2019 MBP seems to be a lot better overall and that could be why i haven't had a failure in over a month on this 2019.

 

[zachlegomaniac]

I need a new 15” MBP badly. Was going to finally pull the trigger on a 2019 at Best Buy this weekend ($400.00 off for Labor Day), but I feel like I’d end up in the same boat as you.

I hope this last replacement you received was the last one you’ll need. I actually like the feel of the keyboard itself (brother has one).

 

[torana355]

It not a matter of if, it's a matter of when it will fail. I can't believe people actually defend Apple on this. I still purchased a 2018 mba a few months ago as my old 2011 mba finally died and I needed a new one. Will see how long it lasts.

 

[ilikewhey]

i'm waiting for the nay sayers to come in and bash the OP. :grab popcorn:

 

[gregrichards]

welcome to the keyboard fail club! I've had 7 failed 3rd gen (6 2018, 1 2019 on a 2018 15" MBP) keyboards so far, all duplicate keypress issues, across 5 different MBPS (so many failures they keep replacing my machine). I'm on a 2019 15" now finally, and this keyboard's lasted a bit over a month now.

That is absolutely shocking you have been really unlucky.

 

[ascender]

i'm waiting for the nay sayers to come in and bash the OP. :grab popcorn:

Surely there’s nobody willing to defend Apple on the keyboard issue after all this time?

What is still very strange is how some people have had multiple models from different years without any issues at all, while some people like the unluckiest guy above, have had failure after failure after failure.

OP - if there’s a time when you can’t be without your laptop for a few days, it is worth the compressed air thing which has been shown to work. Otherwise, just call Apple and take it in to the store to get fixed. Did Apple not say recently they were trying to do keyboard repairs a lot quicker now?

 

[myrtlebee]

I'd say "Hate to say I told you so," but I'd be lying. Anyone who bought this model were forewarned that it would likely happen. Nobody should be buying a MacBook until after the new keyboard design is released. And even then, wait until a few months after release to read reviews if you want to be extra cautious. That's just common sense at this point.

 

[retta283]

I'd say "Hate to say I told you so," but I'd be lying. Anyone who bought this model were forewarned that it would likely happen. Nobody should be buying a MacBook until after the new keyboard design is released. And even then, wait until a few months after release to read reviews if you want to be extra cautious. That's just common sense at this point.

I have gotten criticism for using such old equipment, and my answer to the critics is that my current equipment has functioned fine for nearly a decade or more without issue, and I am not one to replace a functional unit without need. A laptop upgrade is on the horizon, but I will not buy a machine with a ticking time bomb included.

 

[Ries]

That is absolutely shocking you have been really unlucky.

If you're constantly getting bad Apples, you aren't unlucky, you have a basket of bad Apples.

 

[theapplehead]

I have exactly the same laptop, had exactly the same rationalization while buying it. However I’m still within Costco’s 90 day return window. Will most probably return it.

Exchange it for the 2019 model.

 

[pshufd]

I'd use an external keyboard for a while at school until you can get it to the Apple Store for repair.

 

[ilikewhey]

Surely there’s nobody willing to defend Apple on the keyboard issue after all this time?

What is still very strange is how some people have had multiple models from different years without any issues at all, while some people like the unluckiest guy above, have had failure after failure after failure.

OP - if there’s a time when you can’t be without your laptop for a few days, it is worth the compressed air thing which has been shown to work. Otherwise, just call Apple and take it in to the store to get fixed. Did Apple not say recently they were trying to do keyboard repairs a lot quicker now?

ha you be surprised, theres always gonna be apple apologist defending apple no matter what happens.

 

[pshufd]

ha you be surprised, theres always gonna be apple apologist defending apple no matter what happens.

I'm not an apologist for Apple but I spoke to our Apple IT guy and he said that they have had no keyboard issues with our company-issued MacBook Pros and we've been using them since 2015. There were a few problems with video issues and charging issues.

 

[racoop]

welcome to the keyboard fail club! I've had 7 failed 3rd gen (6 2018, 1 2019 on a 2018 15" MBP) keyboards so far, all duplicate keypress issues, across 5 different MBPS (so many failures they keep replacing my machine). I'm on a 2019 15" now finally, and this keyboard's lasted a bit over a month now.

These kind of story tells me that undeniably there is at least in part, a strong association with keyboard failure and the way certain folks use their MBPs. As I have said elsewhere, I am a college prof and so many of our students use recent mac laptops, and I have not heard of a single problematic keyboard. I'm perfectly happy with my 2016 MBP and 2017 MB, no problems, thus far at least. Still admit I prefer the older style scissor keyboard though, and keep my old MacBook Air around for that reason.

 

[ilikewhey]

I'm not an apologist for Apple but I spoke to our Apple IT guy and he said that they have had no keyboard issues with our company-issued MacBook Pros and we've been using them since 2015. There were a few problems with video issues and charging issues.

as the old saying goes, it doesn't effect you til it happens to you. i had a repeated key 1st keep into my 2016 mbp, returned it and bought a used 2015, couldn't be happier.