My iMac's keyboard starts working properly again when I hit it on its back

[macpokerstars]

Hi,

I have an Apple keyboard with numeric keypad (MB110B/B) and it keeps typing "7777777777" indefinitely on its own, and it would only stop if I press the right Shift key of my laptop.

But the strange thing is that, while it's typing 77777 on its own, I flip the laptop and start hitting the back of the "7" key with my fingers and the weird typing stops.

What does that mean? Is it something mechanical stuck in it or is the the circuits that are failing?

Should I use distilled water to fix it? How should I do it?

Thanks in advance

 

[mmomega]

If you're near an Apple Store I would try just going by and telling them. I had a keyboard issue, went to Apple Store and an associate just grabbed a brand new keyboard off the shelf and asked if there was anything else he could help me with.

 

[macpokerstars]

Thanks for your response.
Was it still under warranty? Mine is 5 years old.

It's a US keyboard but I'm in the UK. Not sure they have the US ones.

 

[DeltaMac]

Usually, there's more than one key that fails when there's a circuit failure, and usually in vertical groups.

If it's only the 7 key that sticks, you might have some sticky substance under the keycap. You could try cleaning gently under the edge of the 7 keycap.
You can gently pop the keycap off of the keyboard to make that cleaning up simpler. However, they can be tricky little things to pop back into place, so take you time, and watch that you don't break the tiny "scissors" that holds the keycap in position.
If the cleaning doesn't help (and it may not), then there's no repair.

 

[macpokerstars]

Hi there, thanks for that.

I forgot to mention that the 7 key sometimes doesn't work when I press it. I need to hit the keyboard from behind for it to work.

And when that happens, the capital "i" doesn't work either, but works again when the 7 works.

Also, the 777777 typing can start when I hit the right Shift key.

Not sure what this means...

 

[thedeske]

Not sure what this means...

It means you haven't bought a new keyboard?

 

[26139]

Yeah...

It means you haven't bought a new keyboard?

Yeah, get a new keyboard.

By the way, what's the difference between UK and US keyboards? An extra 'u', pound in place of a dollar sign, and some condescension?

 

[macpokerstars]

Yeah, get a new keyboard.

By the way, what's the difference between UK and US keyboards? An extra 'u', pound in place of a dollar sign, and some condescension?

It's mainly condescension, yes.
It makes a difference if your job involves using lots of "#".
Also a larger Enter key is less typo-prone for me.