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appleuserindc

macrumors member
Original poster
May 22, 2015
60
45
The C key on my new MacBook has a subtle but noticeable problem.

I noticed yesterday morning that typing C wasn't always registering. I played around with the key and discovered that pressing the top of the key registered a normal click like the rest of the keys, but pressing at the bottom of the key was mushy with no click.

I have an appointment at the Genius Bar Monday.

I'm posting this to see if other people have a similar problem. Never had a key fail on an Apple keyboard before and I'm worried that this one broke just five weeks in. Hope it isn't an issue with the new keyboard tech.

Also -- anyone know what the repair process will be? Brand new MacBook or actual repair?

Otherwise, love the Macbook -- perfect as a companion to my iMac and perfectly speedy for what I need -- Web, email, writing.
 

mikeray

macrumors regular
Jan 17, 2006
215
67
Brooklyn, NY
The C key on my new MacBook has a subtle but noticeable problem.

I noticed yesterday morning that typing C wasn't always registering. I played around with the key and discovered that pressing the top of the key registered a normal click like the rest of the keys, but pressing at the bottom of the key was mushy with no click.

I have an appointment at the Genius Bar Monday.

I'm posting this to see if other people have a similar problem. Never had a key fail on an Apple keyboard before and I'm worried that this one broke just five weeks in. Hope it isn't an issue with the new keyboard tech.

Also -- anyone know what the repair process will be? Brand new MacBook or actual repair?

Otherwise, love the Macbook -- perfect as a companion to my iMac and perfectly speedy for what I need -- Web, email, writing.

My enter key was failing just like you said. However right before my Genius Bar appointment it fixed itself and now works fine again! Almost like there was a crumb stuck in it or something.
 

appleuserindc

macrumors member
Original poster
May 22, 2015
60
45
Thanks! Yeah, I wonder if it's something like that. I tried compressed air but it didn't work. We'll see!
 

mattopotamus

macrumors G5
Jun 12, 2012
14,703
5,994
The C key on my new MacBook has a subtle but noticeable problem.

I noticed yesterday morning that typing C wasn't always registering. I played around with the key and discovered that pressing the top of the key registered a normal click like the rest of the keys, but pressing at the bottom of the key was mushy with no click.

I have an appointment at the Genius Bar Monday.

I'm posting this to see if other people have a similar problem. Never had a key fail on an Apple keyboard before and I'm worried that this one broke just five weeks in. Hope it isn't an issue with the new keyboard tech.

Also -- anyone know what the repair process will be? Brand new MacBook or actual repair?

Otherwise, love the Macbook -- perfect as a companion to my iMac and perfectly speedy for what I need -- Web, email, writing.

A few of us had key problems
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1867551/
 

palmwangja

macrumors regular
Apr 12, 2015
126
16
would you tell us how things go with Genius Bar later on?
I have a similar symptom with one of my keys... :(
 

darkgremio

macrumors 6502
Jul 17, 2011
341
66
I have had the same problem somewhat, with my delete key and a key not even registering. I evidently got my rMB at Bestbuy and just exchanged it.
 

rodknocker

macrumors 6502
Jul 4, 2011
298
10
Got the same problem here with the right cursor key.

Apple will replace the keyboard.
 
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appleuserindc

macrumors member
Original poster
May 22, 2015
60
45
People wanted to know what happened at the Genius Bar based on my original post. Here's my report.

I took the MacBook in and the rep said it was the first MacBook 12" she'd seen. She confirmed the issue -- that the C key was spongy rather than clicky -- and checked the store stock. There were none and said it might take a few days. Which is fine because the only issue is that the C key doesn't always register.

I asked if it could be repaired and she said no -- the machine needed to be replaced.

Here's the interesting part -- when she entered all the info and the notes -- she said it got flagged by Apple engineering.

Not sure exactly what that means, but must be that there's a problem that they're monitoring.

Hope there's not a broad issue, but sounds like there might be.
 

tutux

macrumors member
May 4, 2015
80
8
People wanted to know what happened at the Genius Bar based on my original post. Here's my report.

I took the MacBook in and the rep said it was the first MacBook 12" she'd seen. She confirmed the issue -- that the C key was spongy rather than clicky -- and checked the store stock. There were none and said it might take a few days. Which is fine because the only issue is that the C key doesn't always register.

I asked if it could be repaired and she said no -- the machine needed to be replaced.

Here's the interesting part -- when she entered all the info and the notes -- she said it got flagged by Apple engineering.

Not sure exactly what that means, but must be that there's a problem that they're monitoring.

Hope there's not a broad issue, but sounds like there might be.

or maybe they monitor closely the new keyboard and track all ram relatives to that particular type of issue!
 

Glockworkorange

Suspended
Feb 10, 2015
2,511
4,184
Chicago, Illinois
I have an issue with the down arrow. It get stuck and makes a lot of noise.

I took it into the Apple Store and they agreed to swap it out, however, they had none in stock and needed to order one for me. The genius confirmed they cannot fix those keyboard in house. I took the machine home and am waiting for the replacement.

Yesterday a manager from Apple in Austin called me (I am in Chicago) to talk about the issue. He said the engineers are looking forward to getting my machine in hand to see the problem. They are expediting me a replacement MacBook and I should have it tomorrow.

It looks as if Apple is especially keen on getting their hands on all machines with hardware problems and they will do their best to get you a new machine for a swap ASAP. This makes sense, as it is a brand new product and they are doing everything they can to get defective units back into the hands of their engineers to diagnose and fix the issue before new machines are manufactured.
 

micqo

macrumors regular
Oct 9, 2014
139
63
I just noticed the key "9" is not working 100%. The top, right side and bottom corners not registering, otherwise its work fine if I press it the middle. Just thinking could it be software bug or real hardware issue…?
 

Animgif

macrumors newbie
Aug 4, 2010
9
0
My down arrow key also didn't work when I got it. Took it to the genius bar and they said it should be replaced. They said they're expediting me another, but given that it's a 1.3 it appears I'm "in the queue" for another from China. Been since Sunday and no movement (online shows 3-5 weeks like a normal order but they swear to me that it's not going to take that long).
 

MyopicPaideia

macrumors 68020
Mar 19, 2011
2,155
980
Sweden
This is actually a bit concerning, it has proven to be a real problem, hopefully a relatively isolated one. Good to hear that Apple is owning the problem and taking it seriously. Would be interesting to be a fly on the wall and hear why the engineers are so keen on this particular problem. More than a couple of people are reporting being contacted by Apple engineers directly. :apple:
 

micqo

macrumors regular
Oct 9, 2014
139
63
Has anyone tested this trick?


Pressing option keys 5 times
 
Last edited:

palmwangja

macrumors regular
Apr 12, 2015
126
16
I just noticed the key "9" is not working 100%. The top, right side and bottom corners not registering, otherwise its work fine if I press it the middle. Just thinking could it be software bug or real hardware issue…?

This is a hardware glitch. You have to take it back. Same happened to me. :(
 

BlakeBrattina

macrumors 6502a
May 10, 2011
542
61
Bay City, MI
Seems like a widespread issue and not a small case. I had a similar problem with my Type+ peripheral, but it ended up being something stuck under the key base that I had aired out. Granted, two totally different things.

Good luck!
 
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