Apple Extended keyboard - some keys not working

[macstatic]

For some reason my Apple Extended (wired) keyboard (A1243) started acting up, meaning certain keys no longer work.
I tried rebooting into safe-mode, logging into another user etc. Finally I attached the keyboard to another Mac where it shows the same problems.
I've also tried using a standard PC keyboard with my Mac, and the problems aren't there, so I can safely conclude it's a hardware issue with my Apple keyboard. Here are the affected keys (marked with a red dot):

My first guess is that a shared PCB trace of the membrane inside has broken, given that there appears to be a pattern to which keys don't work (though the < and RETURN keys do away with that theory, possibly). Can someone with more insight confirm this?
Or is it more likely to be a logical error inside the keyboard (malfunctioning ICs)?

A broken membrane track can be fixed (I've done it before), so I'd like to hear what people think or have experiences with before I try to open it up (no screws as usual).

 

[xraydoc]

For some reason my Apple Extended (wired) keyboard (A1243) started acting up, meaning certain keys no longer work.
I tried rebooting into safe-mode, logging into another user etc. Finally I attached the keyboard to another Mac where it shows the same problems.
I've also tried using a standard PC keyboard with my Mac, and the problems aren't there, so I can safely conclude it's a hardware issue with my Apple keyboard. Here are the affected keys (marked with a red dot):

View attachment 2085180

My first guess is that a shared PCB trace of the membrane inside has broken, given that there appears to be a pattern to which keys don't work (though the < and RETURN keys do away with that theory, possibly). Can someone with more insight confirm this?
Or is it more likely to be a logical error inside the keyboard (malfunctioning ICs)?

A broken membrane track can be fixed (I've done it before), so I'd like to hear what people think or have experiences with before I try to open it up (no screws as usual).

There's virtually no way to get it open without damaging it, FYI.

 

[glenthompson]

I had similar problems and just bought a couple spare keyboards on eBay for cheap.

 

[MultiFinder17]

I got all excited - I hear “Apple Extended Keyboard” and this is what pops into mind

 

[macstatic]

There's virtually no way to get it open without damaging it, FYI.

I'm not surprised unfortunately. Typically the way things are made these days. How much more would it cost Apple (i.e. the customer) to install a few screws underneath instead of glueing it together?

Anyway, I did come across the iFixIt Apple A1243 keyboard teardown which shows how to disassemble it and the iFixIt "I've got a few dead keys on this keyboard -any way to fix it" thread which also linked to a French disassembly page, so I'm going to give that a go. After all I have nothing to lose.

In case I won't be able to fix it, what other alternatives do I have for a wired replacement? There are a few nice ones like the Cherry KC-6000 slim Mac, but as far as I can tell it doesn't have the USB connectors of my Apple keyboard which is a shame as I've already used up all my Mac USB connectors and need one for the mouse (another thing is that my mouse cable is quite short, which makes it ideal to connect to the keyboard).

 

[xraydoc]

I'm not surprised unfortunately. Typically the way things are made these days. How much more would it cost Apple (i.e. the customer) to install a few screws underneath instead of glueing it together?

Anyway, I did come across the iFixIt Apple A1243 keyboard teardown which shows how to disassemble it and the iFixIt "I've got a few dead keys on this keyboard -any way to fix it" thread which also linked to a French disassembly page, so I'm going to give that a go. After all I have nothing to lose.

In case I won't be able to fix it, what other alternatives do I have for a wired replacement? There are a few nice ones like the Cherry KC-6000 slim Mac, but as far as I can tell it doesn't have the USB connectors of my Apple keyboard which is a shame as I've already used up all my Mac USB connectors and need one for the mouse (another thing is that my mouse cable is quite short, which makes it ideal to connect to the keyboard).

The current Apple keyboards can be used wired if you don’t want to use it wirelessly. Just plug in the cable and it’ll run off USB instead of Bluetooth. But of course there’s no passthrough USB port for a mouse.

 

[macstatic]

That's interesting!
I recall having heard this before, and indeed someone confirmed that both the Magic keyboard and Magic trackpad can be used in wired mode with a Lightning or USB-A connection.

The poster confirms that the Mac's Bluetooth is indeed turned off, so it proves the connection is via the cable, but I'm still wondering if the keyboard is continously transmitting wirelessly as well, which is a downside if you want to limit wireless exposure (unless there's an actual "use in wired mode" switch on the keyboard I'm guessing it makes the keyboard "discoverable" to the Mac even though the Mac has Bluetooth turned off and doesn't try to look for it). And I assume it also means its battery is continously being charged which can't be a good thing, can it? Perhaps someone with a Magic keyboard can shed some light on this.
And like you say, there's no passthrough USB connector for a wired mouse. But all in all an interesting option in case I can't repair my existing keyboard or find a new one to buy.

 

[xraydoc]

That's interesting!
I recall having heard this before, and indeed someone confirmed that both the Magic keyboard and Magic trackpad can be used in wired mode with a Lightning or USB-A connection.

The poster confirms that the Mac's Bluetooth is indeed turned off, so it proves the connection is via the cable, but I'm still wondering if the keyboard is continously transmitting wirelessly as well, which is a downside if you want to limit wireless exposure (unless there's an actual "use in wired mode" switch on the keyboard I'm guessing it makes the keyboard "discoverable" to the Mac even though the Mac has Bluetooth turned off and doesn't try to look for it). And I assume it also means its battery is continously being charged which can't be a good thing, can it? Perhaps someone with a Magic keyboard can shed some light on this.
And like you say, there's no passthrough USB connector for a wired mouse. But all in all an interesting option in case I can't repair my existing keyboard or find a new one to buy.

I've got no way of knowing if something is being transmitted or not when connected via USB, but I'm going to guess that Apple's smart enough not to be doing that. Since Bluetooth is encrypted and needs to handshake with the Mac before it sends anything, I'm guessing it's not going to transmit anything if there's an active USB connection.

There's no switch or button on the Apple keyboards to enable pairing mode or wired-only mode. Keychron mechanical keyboards a wired-only mode switch, however, if you want to look outside Apple's brand. But if you're not going to use wireless anyway, then there's plenty of other hardwired-only options.

Yes, the battery will have a continuous current when the Apple keyboard is connected by USB, but again, I'm certain Apple is smart enough to build in battery management. Besides battery swelling, of which I've never heard of any reports happening with the keyboard or trackpad (I'm sure it's possible, but clearly it's a rare occurrence), you won't care if the battery life degrades since you won't be using the battery anyway.