Capslock and Tab are not working

[fetnat]

Hi,

I have a late 2012 MacBook Pro retina with i7 processor, running Mac OSX 10.12.6. Few days back the internal keyboard's TAB key suddenly stopped working - I had not done any OSX or other software upgrade.
Today the CAPSLOCk also stopped working (does not convert to uppercases and the green light does not switch on). This is when I started searching for help on the internet and found the Macrumors site.

I noticed that the two keys still work indirectly through the virtual keyboard viewer: the caps lock green light turns on and the tab action occurs. So, does it mean that it is an hardware problem ? Or cannot be corrected with some reinstallation ?

Thank you in advance for support

 

[maflynn]

It might be that the keys are not registering when you plunge down on them. I'd try to use compressed air and gently clean them. Laptop keyboards can be fragile, and I caution you to be careful.

 

[fetnat]

It might be that the keys are not registering when you plunge down on them. I'd try to use compressed air and gently clean them. Laptop keyboards can be fragile, and I caution you to be careful.

Hi Maflynn,
I will try what you are suggesting and will revert.
Thank you for your advice.

 

[Mackinjosh]

Something similar happened to my 2014 MBP last month. I was going to buy a new MBP but discovered that there's a whole host of new issues with the 2015-2018 models, so I'm trying to work around the problem. What I did was create a new keyboard layout and moved the key that stopped working to a key that I never use. And if I ever need that key, I can just switch the keyboard layout back with the touch of an icon, hit that key and then go back to my new setup.

 

[mick2]

OP Is there any sign of a bulging battery with your MBP?Its unusual that 2 keys stop working in succession a few days apart. As the MBP is ~7 years old this could be caused by an old battery beginning to bulge.

 

[rayriceroni00]

I replaced three keys on my old MacBook. Let me know if you want more info. They are super easy to pop off and replace in that year.
[doublepost=1550420743][/doublepost]

OP Is there any sign of a bulging battery with your MBP?Its unusual that 2 keys stop working in succession a few days apart. As the MBP is ~7 years old this could be caused by an old battery beginning to bulge.

My keys all failed about the same time. Just coincidence.

 

[fetnat]

Something similar happened to my 2014 MBP last month. I was going to buy a new MBP but discovered that there's a whole host of new issues with the 2015-2018 models, so I'm trying to work around the problem. What I did was create a new keyboard layout and moved the key that stopped working to a key that I never use. And if I ever need that key, I can just switch the keyboard layout back with the touch of an icon, hit that key and then go back to my new setup.

It is a good idea for a walk around, thx. I'll do that until I can fix the keyboard; I can survive without the caps lock but not without the tab.
[doublepost=1550433086][/doublepost]

OP Is there any sign of a bulging battery with your MBP?Its unusual that 2 keys stop working in succession a few days apart. As the MBP is ~7 years old this could be caused by an old battery beginning to bulge.

Thx for your suggestion. The battery is still working well (unplugged the MBP lasts 3h-4h) but has 1542 cycles and the status: "Replace Soon", but no visible sign of bulging.
If I have to change the battery I should probably consider changing the keyboard at the same time, but so far I could not find anywhere a Swiss-german or Swiss-French keyboard for a 2012 MBP model.
[doublepost=1550433545][/doublepost]

I replaced three keys on my old MacBook. Let me know if you want more info. They are super easy to pop off and replace in that year.
[doublepost=1550420743][/doublepost]

My keys all failed about the same time. Just coincidence.

That could effectively be a coincidence in my case too, but as the 2 faulty keys are next to each other and stopped working at once, one after the other, I wonder if it is not a problem of the underlying electronic circuits rather than a local contact issue. besides, as suggested by maflynn I have tried to remove partly the key and blow air (not compressed air, though) under it without any result.

 

[darri]

Same thing happened to my 2011 MBP just this morning: tab key, caps lock and function key all not working.

I tried all the things suggested – resetting SMC, PRAM, VRAM etc. Didn't work.

I eventually fixed the issue by installing Karabiner and remapping the 'section' key (§). For whatever reason this brought the non-functioning keys back to life. Thank you Karabiner!!!

 

[Mitja Pritrznik]

Same thing happened to my 2011 MBP just this morning: tab key, caps lock and function key all not working.

I tried all the things suggested – resetting SMC, PRAM, VRAM etc. Didn't work.

I eventually fixed the issue by installing Karabiner and remapping the 'section' key (§). For whatever reason this brought the non-functioning keys back to life. Thank you Karabiner!!!

Have same exact problem on my MBP. Tried this technique (and all above) and no results. But did manage to remap some keys so my 3 missing keys are sort of bac. Same-same, but different =)

 

[clueless88]

Will have to try Karabiner to see if it helps revive my inoperative left sided "option-control-shift" buttons on my mid-2012 MBP. At least my tab key works .