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MacBook Pro / Air Butterfly Keyboard Issues (Repeating, Stuck, Unresponsive)

Errors after replacing Apple MacBook Pro keyboards.

I had a 13” MBP 2016 keyboard replaced April 21 in LA, then the machine had light leaks and froze. Apple replaced the screen, logic board and bottom plate (not much left of the original machine).

I also had a 15” BMP 2016 keyboard replaced April 27 in LA and after the replacement it was slow, RAM not doing well, and suddenly the screen went non-responsive black. It’s alive (the screen) but black and no tricks like D or emptying PRAM helps to change it. That one now goes to Genius Bar today (in Hamburg, Germany, on travel).

Wonder if the keyboard replacements are even compatible or what’s up with this? Seems a bit weird two machines right after each other suffer from problems after keyboard replacement?
 
The butterfly keyboard is just so-so in my opinion, but I haven't had any issues with it yet.

But I don't know if these keyboard defects are because of the design itself? Wouldn't the scissor keys also have occasional defects/issues? What aspect of the butterfly switch makes it more likely to be defective?

If it's breaking down because of crumbs/dust, why wouldn't that happen to the scissor keyboards as well? Is there any data to support this? Comparing old MacBook Pro's keyboard defect rate to the current ones?
 
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Some people simply can’t see the forest for the trees. When Apple replaces the keyboard they are also forced to replace the top case AND THE BATTERY.

Apple refuses very few of these repair requests.

That means you can get a free battery replacement whenever you want.

To put this in terms Americans understand: The butterfly keyboard is essentially free admission to an all-you-can-eat battery buffet! For 4 years!
 
I had the keyboard of my 2016 Macbook Pro replaced with the new butterfly keyboard in March 2019, and still have problems. I previously had stuck and repeating keys, and non-responsive keys because of debris. I have been fastidious since the replacement of my keyboard, never eating near my computer, and washing my hands every time before I start using my computer. However, I'm still getting skin / fingernail residue that is making the keys difficult to press, and I have to tap down considerably more forcefully to get the keys to register my presses.

The replacement keyboard seems to actually be an even slimmer keyboard - at least regarding how much the keys stick up, presumably to reduce the penetration of debris. The redesign has not improved avoiding debris under the keys, and has actually made the keys more difficult to depress and have register. I now type, missing every 10th-15th letter, and have to go back to fix my sentences. It considerably slows typing and composition, even with the help of Word's auto-correct.

Canned air hasn't helped at all, and I highly doubt that I will be able to demonstrate to Apple support's satisfaction that my replacement keyboard isn't satisfactory. When I first brought my 2016 keyboard to them with problems similar to I have now, they told me they couldn't duplicate the problem, and that I should wait until the keyboard got significantly worse before asking them for replacement.

I'll be glad to be rid of butterfly keys in another 3 years when I get a new Mac.
 
niji said:
i totally agree with your comments.

this entire Macrumors web article is a piece that's searching for an audience.
it reeks of clickbait.
its possible that when Macrumors publishes articles in the forum that this one is published in, Macrumors might be using this link for use in many other general mac related sites, or something like that.

my main concern is that it is "yesterday" focused. there is no detail about 3rd generation keyboard defect levels.
Macrumors staff could have done a survey of 3rd party repair shops specifically asking about 3rd gen keyboard defect levels.
that info would be what new potential users are looking for.

Macrumors to me is the Forums of user based info. its user base is the best for mac related info.
on the other hand, I never think that the quality of Macrumors own written articles is high. it never is. never.
Click to expand...

Hey there little filth ape, I totally agree with you. This article REEKS of poor journalism.

HEY THERE DIRT CHIMPS: GIVE ME INFO ABOUT 3RD GENERATION KEYBOARDS.

Sometimes these kaka kids really are still swinging from branches and flinging poo.
 
Four years and it seems the keyboard issues persist. What a fiasco. I hope that my mid-2015 MacBook Pro lasts at least ten years. I feel the need to review post marketing surveillance for at least two years before buying another MacBook.
 
What about MB Pro 2019, 13 inches, 2 Thunderbolt ports? It does not seem to be covered in the program. Does it not have the butterfly keyboard?
 
Mrs. Ziffel’s 2018 13” MBP finally hit the butterfly keyboard wall after more than three years of use.

Took it to nearest Apple Store, turned it in for the keyboard to be replaced through Apple’s butterfly keyboard program, and got it back with new top case, new battery, new keyboard (duh), and new TouchBar.

We figure this will take care of the issue until its time to get one of the M-powered notebooks.

The guy who helped us at the Genius Bar couldn’t have been nicer.
 
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Had a lot of issues over the years with every butterfly keyboard equipped MacBook Pro. I’m glad it’s all behind me
 
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chrfr said:
Apple won’t do a repair unless there’s an actual problem.
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What if theres 1 month before the warranty expires? I protected it very well so only very RARELY keys get stuck and double type (once a month average)

At this stage I want to make some keys permanently stuck to get the repair. How can I do this? I used to clean it religiously but now im letting crumbs fall in.

I do NOT want to experience the issues next year and for the keyboard to finally become permenantly stuck and double type.... a few months after the 4 year warranty.
Advice?
 
basuracan said:
What if theres 1 month before the warranty expires? I protected it very well so only very RARELY keys get stuck and double type (once a month average)

At this stage I want to make some keys permanently stuck to get the repair. How can I do this? I used to clean it religiously but now im letting crumbs fall in.

I do NOT want to experience the issues next year and for the keyboard to finally become permenantly stuck and double type.... a few months after the 4 year warranty.
Advice?
Click to expand...
There's nothing you can do. Apple doesn't do pre-emptive repairs on problems that don't currently exist. The keyboard may well fail outside the warranty, even if you were to get it replaced today.
 
basuracan said:
I do NOT want to experience the issues next year and for the keyboard to finally become permenantly stuck and double type.... a few months after the 4 year warranty.
Advice?
Click to expand...

I wouldn't try to break my computer just to get a repair. They could always fail to replicate your issue in the store or identify something to exempt you from repair and then you'd be stuck with a computer you intentionally sabotaged.

I don't know what model you have, but a battery replacement will also fetch you a new topcase for most of those models. The battery replacement is $129-$199US and if you've been going for almost 4 years, you could probably use a battery replacement anyway.

Just use your computer as you've been using it. Most of the butterfly keyboard issues were all or nothing affairs. People who had trouble free operation tended to stay like that. People who had problems, tended to get them within months.
 
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basuracan said:
What if theres 1 month before the warranty expires? I protected it very well so only very RARELY keys get stuck and double type (once a month average)

At this stage I want to make some keys permanently stuck to get the repair. How can I do this? I used to clean it religiously but now im letting crumbs fall in.

I do NOT want to experience the issues next year and for the keyboard to finally become permenantly stuck and double type.... a few months after the 4 year warranty.
Advice?
Click to expand...
Try glue.
 
Mine was doing the double key thing a lot but it was during covid and I could not really go in so I used a bluetooth keyboard for quite some time. About a year ago I tried my reg keyboard again and the problem was on longer going on...of course until now when I am just past the 4 year mark lol. It seems mostly the space bar, the N, and H key. It's random and worse on certain websites which is odd. I feel that there is a software component to the problem as well as a physical keyboard issue. Reason being I still had the same issue on occasion with my bluetooth keyboard that was not even apple. Like maybe some of the keys are set to be too sensitive. I've noticed if I strike the keys very hard and deliberate it won't repeat as much. I'm thinking N and H might just be in a position where I hit them differently. Just a thought.
 
Beebeebee said:
Mine was doing the double key thing a lot but it was during covid and I could not really go in so I used a bluetooth keyboard for quite some time. About a year ago I tried my reg keyboard again and the problem was on longer going on...of course until now when I am just past the 4 year mark lol. It seems mostly the space bar, the N, and H key. It's random and worse on certain websites which is odd. I feel that there is a software component to the problem as well as a physical keyboard issue. Reason being I still had the same issue on occasion with my bluetooth keyboard that was not even apple. Like maybe some of the keys are set to be too sensitive. I've noticed if I strike the keys very hard and deliberate it won't repeat as much. I'm thinking N and H might just be in a position where I hit them differently. Just a thought.
Click to expand...

The being worse on certain websites might actually be an indication of what I think the real issue is.

I damaged the keyboard on my 2016 and got to play with the butterfly mechanism and the switch itself. The switch part is the same as it's always been. It's just a small rubber nub. People who've fashioned their own fixes usually bypassed the butterfly mechanism so the keycap could contact the nub directly. That worked well if you could put up with a little wobble. I used this fix myself for a few months.

Given that the butterfly mechanism is just a stabilizer and the actual electronic switch is actually more or less the same as before and after, it makes me think the butterfly stabilizer was prone to warping with age and temperature changes and that could be consistent with it being more glitchy on some websites as some websites are overloaded with ads and cause your computer to run hotter.

I actually like those keyboards. I wish I could buy a butterfly keyboard to use when I wanted.
 
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Hey everyone if you are still looking for a solution to this keyboard issue. I found one that is working for me. Go to the apple menu/ system settings / accessibility / then scroll down to keyboard. Click keyboard and then switch "slow keys" to toggle on. Click the little "i" to the right and a slider appears. The default is in the middle. It depends on how fast you type. I have mine almost all the way to the left. I type pretty fast. If you type slower a different spot might be different for you. I now only have the double letters every once in awhile.
 
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