A keyboard that doesn't work, or a keyboard backlight that doesn't work, is among the most common MacBook faults. If you own a MacBook from the 2015-2019 generation, Apple's free keyboard replacement programme applies to you. That is, in the case of problems with keys sticking or not working, or with characters being typed repeatedly.
If you own a different model or have a different kind of problem, the best solution is to visit a repair shop. The repair is usually quick and may involve just individual keys. Replacing the whole keyboard isn't always necessary.
MacBook keyboard replacement (2015-2019 models)
In 2015, Apple introduced something new in the form of the 12-inch MacBook. It stood out above all for its small dimensions and low weight, but also for its technological solutions. It was the first to bring the so-called butterfly keyboard to the market. Thanks to its mechanism, this keyboard didn't need such deep key travel, and so it could save a great deal of space in the computer's chassis.
The keyboard is pleasant to use, like everything from Apple, and you'll get used to it easily. It does suffer from two ailments, though:
- it's slightly noisier than ordinary notebook keyboards. Most users soon stop noticing that, however
- it has a tendency towards "incorrect behaviour". What does that mean? Letters or characters repeating unexpectedly, a letter or character failing to appear when a key is pressed, or keys feeling as though they were sticky or not responding consistently. These are precisely the faults that many users of the company's computers complained about. It doesn't happen only on the 12-inch machines, though, but also on the MacBook Pro and, more recently, the Air (2018) as well.
Apple's free MacBook keyboard replacement programme
Apple acknowledged these problems and therefore introduced a free keyboard replacement programme for the affected MacBooks. All you have to do is go to an authorised service centre. An expert will assess whether it's the type of fault that the replacement programme covers. They'll then replace the problem key or the whole keyboard for you free of charge. Complete information about the free keyboard replacement programme is available on Apple's website.
The MacBook keyboard replacement applies to these MacBook models:
- MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015)
- MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2016)
- MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017)
- MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016)
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019)
Before visiting a repair shop, always back up your data.
MacBook keyboard repair (not covered by the replacement programme)
Do you have an older or, on the contrary, a newer generation of notebook, or a different problem from the one covered by the replacement programme?
Repairing the keyboard, or replacing it entirely if need be, is definitely a better solution than struggling to work on a keyboard that doesn't function. Individual keys can be replaced too. Before you set off for a repair shop, you can still try cleaning the keyboard first by following our guide. If cleaning doesn't help, a visit to a repair shop is unavoidable.
A complete keyboard replacement costs from 2,390 Kč with us at appleguru.cz (you'll find the current prices for individual models here).
Keyboard problems? Come and see us and have an expert take a look at it! We're specialists in Apple products.
✆ 607 855 558
✉ info@appleguru.cz
Seifertova 683/83, Prague 3 - Žižkov
