butterfly keyboard out of warranty woes

[SKTT]

My MacBook Pro 15" late 2016 needs a new keyboard per the Genius Bar. It exhibits the repeating keys and random inserts as described in the keyboard quality program, but I am just out of the 4 year replacement window. $675 was the repair quote - the top must be replaced with unibody keyboard, battery, and trackpad part, hence the cost. Its hard to justify the expense, and the tech was not pushing it either . The tech offered a workaround: use a small bluetooth keyboard and lay over the internal keyboard, which should be disabled. However, I cannot disable the keyboard. Karabiner Elements would not load, so there is no obvious solution other than to use it with a full keyboard, losing some flexibility of use. The repair videos look... challenging. Not something I am ready to risk doing myself.

Has anyone come up with a better work around? Kicking myself for splurging on a MacBook Pro but at the time, it had few competitors for my end use.

 

[Fishrrman]

I sense that your post is going to be a harbinger of many more similar ones to come.

The butterfly keyboard is going to doom many MacBook Pros to an early demise.

If the "attach a USB keyboard" won't work for you, looks to me like you have 2 choices:
- pay to get it repaired
or
- put it in the closet and get something new or perhaps Apple-refurbished.

I can only speak for myself (and I realize I'm not you), but I'd put the $675 towards a new MacBook Pro that has the "scissors" keyboard...

 

[mw360]

Mine's almost 4 years old, and it's a piece of garbage, but I find each key problem goes away after time. Sometimes after a day or two, sometimes it takes a 2 or 3 weeks for a specific key to start working properly again. Probably 1/3 of the keys have been a problem at some point but none has become permanently faulty.

 

[Fishrrman]

mw wrote:
"Mine's almost 4 years old, and it's a piece of garbage"

Then it still may be covered by Apple's "4-year" keyboard replacement warranty.
I'd take it to an Apple Store and see if it still qualifies.
If they offer to fix it free, you have nothing to lose.
Comes back with an entire new top case, including a new battery.

 

[mw360]

mw wrote:
"Mine's almost 4 years old, and it's a piece of garbage"

Then it still may be covered by Apple's "4-year" keyboard replacement warranty.
I'd take it to an Apple Store and see if it still qualifies.
If they offer to fix it free, you have nothing to lose.
Comes back with an entire new top case, including a new battery.

I’m aware, and Apple have confirmed the repair would be free, but I can’t be bothered with the hassle. The Last MBP I sent away was gone nearly a month, but at least it came back fixed. I don’t really want the interruption, for a repair that isn’t a repair at all. As I noted above, every individual key failure has resolved itself in the time it would take for Apple to resolve it, and then a different key fails some time later. Preumably the cycle would continue uninterrupted with a new keyboard. I would love to make Apple financially hurt for this (as they were/are perfectly happy for us to hurt over it), and I should have replaced the keyboard multiple times for that reason alone, but my time is money too. There are other circumstance I won’t go into which doom this 3.5yr old MBP to the scrap heap anyway so I may organise some free repairs when I don’t need it anymore, just out of spite.

 

[Fishrrman]

mw wrote:
"I’m aware, and Apple have confirmed the repair would be free, but I can’t be bothered with the hassle"

In that case, live with it.
If Apple agreed to a free fix, and you don't want it, well... it's your choice.

 

[Mainsail]

If I was in the OP's position, I would trade-in for a new MBP. I would have no moral compunction about trading-in to Apple, but I would not feel good about selling it to someone unless I fully disclosed the issue.

Also, you might want to wait until after Apple's 4/20 event in the off-chance that there is an MBP announcement.

 

[StageMomma]

If I was in the OP's position, I would trade-in for a new MBP. I would have no moral compunction about trading-in to Apple, but I would not feel good about selling it to someone unless I fully disclosed the issue.

Also, you might want to wait until after Apple's 4/20 event in the off-chance that there is an MBP announcement.

I’m trading my 2017 with the crap keyboard in. I would have held onto it if the keyboard didn’t fail so much. It’s been repaired but I don’t want to keep sending it in and just want my laptop to work.

 

[redscull]

Long ago, before this butterfly nonsense, Mac keyboards were the absolutely best keyboards ever. Loved them. Right now my work computer is a MacBook Pro 15" 2018, and it has a terrible feel and the repeating keys etc issues. It is garbage. I gave up and plugged in an old Apple USB keyboard (leaving it with the Apple store to fix it will never be a worthwhile option, especially since it's not a permanent fix).

What model/year did they finally abandon this design? I think its "butterfly bad" and "scissor good"? But are the new models' keyboards amazing and best-in-class like the old times? Or just not-as-crappy?

 

[JagRunner]

My 2017 MBP is starting to have some keyboard issues with stuck keys. I had to remove a key last night and clean it and now that key works like normal again....but it's annoying. We shouldn't have to be doing this. I'm waiting for the updated MBP 16" later this year before I upgrade.

 

[Acronyc]

Sorry to hear that, OP. If it were me, I wouldn't pay for the repair. I'd rather put that money towards a new or refurbished MBP. If you are in the US, you can get refurbished 2020 Intel machines for $900 or an M1 for $1,100. I would use an external keyboard and save my money until I could get a new one.

I also have a 2016 MBP but luckily have never had a major problem with the keyboard. I've had it for over 4 years now, and before the keyboard warranty expired I took it into the Apple Store to get it checked out. They replaced the keyboard for me no questions asked, as they said that the down arrow key was sticky. So luckily I got a new top case and battery. They scratched my screen during the repair, so they also replaced my screen, meaning a lot of my MBP is new.

I've debated upgrading because I am now out of the keyboard repair warranty, but since I had everything replaced and am also working from home full time now, I have my MBP docked and use an external keyboard, trackpad, and monitor. This has been working well and I am going to try and get a few more years out of it.

 

[Fishrrman]

Acronyc --

Sounds like Apple did right by you. I couldn't complain.

Even though I'm not a fan of the "butterfly keyboard" MacBook Pros, I'd keep using what you have so long as it keeps working "well enough".

 

[Acronyc]

Acronyc --

Sounds like Apple did right by you. I couldn't complain.

Even though I'm not a fan of the "butterfly keyboard" MacBook Pros, I'd keep using what you have so long as it keeps working "well enough".

Yes, I agree and also feel I got lucky. I think the Apple store where I live was really nice about it and it seemed that they checked over the keyboard really carefully to basically find an issue that would give me the free repair.

I'm really indifferent to the butterfly keyboard. I don't hate it, but also know the design is prone to problems even if I haven't experienced them myself. I'll keep using my MBP until it completely dies. There's too much tech in landfills, anyway.

The only thing I find myself missing a bit is having more cores. I have the non-touchbar version, meaning only a dual core i5. Since I'm working from home now I need to run Linux and Windows VMs every day, and I can't help but think that if I had even just a quad core machine my VMs would run faster.

But, I am grateful I splurged on the 16GB of RAM when I got the machine! And with all the new parts, I really can't complain.

 

[oneMadRssn]

EVERYONE SHOULD SET A CALENDAR ALERT A MONTH BEFORE THEIR 4-YEAR WARRANTY EXPIRES

And then set a few weekly alerts after that to remind you to call Apple and get the keyboard replaced under warranty. Just get it done before the thing expires. There is really no reason everyone can't have a new keyboard at year 4 of the warranty.

I realize most Macbook buyers probably aren't even aware of the issue or the 4-year warranty, but those that are should absolutely do this.

 

[JagRunner]

EVERYONE SHOULD SET A CALENDAR ALERT A MONTH BEFORE THEIR 4-YEAR WARRANTY EXPIRES

And then set a few weekly alerts after that to remind you to call Apple and get the keyboard replaced under warranty. Just get it done before the thing expires. There is really no reason everyone can't have a new keyboard at year 4 of the warranty.

I realize most Macbook buyers probably aren't even aware of the issue or the 4-year warranty, but those that are should absolutely do this.

4 years from purchase date?

 

[deeddawg]

4 years from purchase date?

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

"The program covers eligible MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro models for 4 years after the first retail sale of the unit"

So as of today any of these purchased on April 22, 2017 or before is SOL

My 2018 MBP15 developed swollen battery and bad touchbar early last year, and I had it repaired under AC.
... but with no need for Intel compatibility and wishing to downsize, when the M1 MBP came out and it fit my needs, I jumped on it. Sold my MBP15 to MacMeAnOffer wholesaler never looked back.

 

[JagRunner]

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

"The program covers eligible MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro models for 4 years after the first retail sale of the unit"

So as of today any of these purchased on April 22, 2017 or before is SOL

My 2018 MBP15 developed swollen battery and bad touchbar early last year, and I had it repaired under AC.
... but with no need for Intel compatibility and wishing to downsize, when the M1 MBP came out and it fit my needs, I jumped on it. Sold my MBP15 to MacMeAnOffer wholesaler never looked back.

My 4 years is this coming November - I am going to get it replaced and then sell it the closer it gets to November - I am already starting to experience a couple of stuck keys that just feel weird when you type. I will take it in before November.

 

[deeddawg]

My 4 years is this coming November - I am going to get it replaced and then sell it the closer it gets to November - I am already starting to experience a couple of stuck keys that just feel weird when you type. I will take it in before November.

Just a thought - When Apple releases a model suitable to your needs, consider jumping on it then vs waiting. I sold my MBP15 shortly after the M1 MBP launch - now five months later pricing is only 2/3 of what I got then.

 

[JagRunner]

Just a thought - When Apple releases a model suitable to your needs, consider jumping on it then vs waiting. I sold my MBP15 shortly after the M1 MBP launch - now five months later pricing is only 2/3 of what I got then.

Yes, I am waiting to see what Apple releases with the new redesigned MacBook Pros later this year. I will most likely sell it when Apple announces them.

 

[cedwhatev]

The butterfly mechanism of the Return key of my MBA 2019 just broke, and I was told by the Authorized repair centre (not the Apple Store) that it didn't qualify for a free replacement, as it was considered physical damage. Has anyone else had this experience? It's still under the 1 year warranty and has zero evidence of any physical damage, the laptop is in perfect condition. I'm bringing it in tomorrow to be looked at.

 

[oldtime]

I would contact apple in as many ways as possible (chat, phone, different local stores, etc) and ask them nicely if they can replace it even though it's a few months out of warranty. Sometimes they say yes on these issues that are known widespread problems (a la cracked topcases or frayed power cords in the past) even when out of warranty.

 

[Christopher Kim]

The butterfly mechanism of the Return key of my MBA 2019 just broke, and I was told by the Authorized repair centre (not the Apple Store) that it didn't qualify for a free replacement, as it was considered physical damage. Has anyone else had this experience? It's still under the 1 year warranty and has zero evidence of any physical damage, the laptop is in perfect condition. I'm bringing it in tomorrow to be looked at.

If it's still under warranty like you said, definitely go through Apple if you can. Authorized Repair Centres unfortunately, have their own incentives, and that's typically erring on the side of charging you for something vs not. Going directly to Apple is definitely your best bet. If you live in an area where you can get to an Apple Store (and it's open), that's the best. If not, agree with @oldtime try to contact them via phone or chat. It'll probably mean you need to send in your computer and be out a little longer (than if you can do live in-person with an Apple Genius) but still better than going through an Authorized Repair Centre.

 

[Fishrrman]

cedwhat wrote:
"The butterfly mechanism of the Return key of my MBA 2019 just broke, and I was told by the Authorized repair centre (not the Apple Store) that it didn't qualify for a free replacement, as it was considered physical damage. Has anyone else had this experience?"

DO NOT -- repeat, DO NOT -- rely on a 3rd-party repair place for this job.

Go to a brick-and-mortar APPLE STORE.
If there's no Apple Store near you, CALL APPLE DIRECTLY.
DO NOT call anyone else.

Apple will send you a prepaid shipping box in which to return the MBP to them.
The keyboard (actually, the entire top case of the comptuer) will be replaced and returned to you.

If you want the free repair, that's how it's done.
Don't wait on this.
If you "snooze", you're gonna lose.
Guaranteed.