JoshH93

Q: Macbook keyboard not working after cleaning?

Hey all!

 

Earlier I cleaned my Macbook keyboard with a wet wipe, brushed over the keys (pressing them down whilst doing so). Firstly when I went to go back to using my MacBook the trackpad at first decided to use right click only functions, after a bit I managed to get this working fully again. However the keyboard did nothing but work a bit but the keys not doing the functions they were assigned to do. So I rebooted and tried to login but couldn't because the keyboard wasn't functioning resulting in me having to get a USB keyboard to sign in. For a while the caps lock light worked, but now has completely died and doesn't work even when pressed on the USB keyboard. The keyboard is still active as occasionally when I go to try and use it for example a key that doesn't actually control the brightness ends up controlling the brightness?

 

I've run diagnostic checks and it's all been passed. Absolutely no idea what's going on? If I have to reinstall Lion i'm more than happy to do so but i'd rather not if I don't have to?

 

Perhaps I damaged the keyboard itself when going through all the keys pressing them down? Although it's pretty unlikely the liquid from a wet wipe could get in right? Any help would seriously be appreciated!

Macbook

Posted on Apr 20, 2012 3:17 PM

Close

Q: Macbook keyboard not working after cleaning?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by vasili0s,

    vasili0s vasili0s Apr 21, 2012 1:39 AM in response to JoshH93
    Level 2 (280 points)
    Apr 21, 2012 1:39 AM in response to JoshH93

    You'll truly be suprised how even a small amount of liquid can get in and damage the keyboard, it's very common unfortunately. Chances are you may have not damaged anything besides the keyboard, and that too may be repairable as well. I would first remove your keyboard and cleanse it via some rubbing alcohol and let it sit in direct sunlight for at least a few days, even using a hair dryer on cold to aid in it's drying process. Great guides on how to step by step remove your keyboard can be found here: http://www.ifixit.com/Device/MacBook

     

    After you feel you've given it sufficient time to dry, re-install the keyboard and be sure to perform an SMC reset as demonstrated here: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964 If the keys still do not respond, it's time for a replacement. Luckily you can find many for sale in great condition and or brand new for relatively little. Remember, always make sure your battery is removed and your laptop turned off when cleaning, and squeezing that microfiber cloth as much as possible in getting rid of that excess water before applying it in the future.

     

    Good luck.

  • by Fahad850,

    Fahad850 Fahad850 Sep 26, 2012 6:24 AM in response to JoshH93
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 26, 2012 6:24 AM in response to JoshH93

    Hi JoshH93

    I have had the same problem since yesterday, did you solve it. If yes please let me know what shall I do.

     

    Thanks

  • by daaavvviiid,

    daaavvviiid daaavvviiid Sep 30, 2012 12:09 PM in response to JoshH93
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 30, 2012 12:09 PM in response to JoshH93

    Hey. I did the same thing. My keyboard started to spam random letters (liiikkkee 9999999dddddddddaaa). So I turned it off and now it won't start again . I've tried SMC reset, checking RAM, let it dry in a bag of rise for 3 days. Nothing...

    It was really merely MOIST... not a drip of water even. Please tell me if you found any solution.

    best /david

  • by Anndoheb,

    Anndoheb Anndoheb Jul 24, 2014 4:51 PM in response to JoshH93
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 24, 2014 4:51 PM in response to JoshH93

    I am on my 3rd keyboard since March. They look like the old ones, but the new ones are very hard to clean. I've never had an Apple keyboard that you couldn't use a cue tip with a little alcohol to clean. First one the eeeeee stuck. Second one just wouldn't work again.  Now I have a combination. Apple Care support said to use Windex if alcohol didn't work. Now a less sympathetic support person said it needed to be unplugged from usb, which I would love to think will work and will try, but until my apple care expires, I will keep asking for replacements, so I hope he is right. I just reach for my old iMac keyboard that keeps working through all the cleanings, now for many years, until FEDEX shows up with a new one.

  • by Zoar,

    Zoar Zoar Aug 10, 2014 4:01 PM in response to JoshH93
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Aug 10, 2014 4:01 PM in response to JoshH93

    Hello,

     

    I did the same thing using a disinfectant cleaner that is environmentally safe. My keyboard stopped working completely and then sticking and repeating keys. I read to pour DISTILLED water on it to flush away any residue of cleaner. I ordered a new keyboard, but thought I had nothing to lose, so I poured the distilled water onto it, and I did get a slight scent of the cleaner. I tipped it and drained it as best I could and set it aside for three days. I just plugged it in and it glitched initially a bit, but now it's fully functional. I say try the distilled water.

  • by Zoar,

    Zoar Zoar Aug 10, 2014 4:08 PM in response to JoshH93
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Aug 10, 2014 4:08 PM in response to JoshH93

    Hi Josh,

     

    Sorry, I wouldn't pour Distilled water on your macbook pro, but you could wipe it with a cloth using distilled water. I poured distilled water on the extended keyboard I have for my iMac naturally after disconnecting it. If you have a standalone keyboard and it's not working then you have nothing to lose by trying rinsing it with distilled water.

  • by demisx,

    demisx demisx Oct 1, 2015 9:21 AM in response to JoshH93
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Oct 1, 2015 9:21 AM in response to JoshH93

    I've had my new keyboard for 2 weeks. It was time to clean. I've disconnected it from the USB and then slightly cleaned it with alcohol on a paper towel. When I plugged it back all keys stopped working. This is a major flaw in the design. I can clean my other keyboards without any issues.

  • by John Nez,

    John Nez John Nez Feb 9, 2016 8:34 AM in response to JoshH93
    Level 2 (175 points)
    Feb 9, 2016 8:34 AM in response to JoshH93

    Wow... I too had this same problem.  I just used a paper towel sprayed with Windex. I didn't spray directly on my standalone mac keyboard.

     

    But after I cleaned it suddenly at least 3 keys no longer work - (I'm typing on my clackity old Powermac keyboard).

     

    So... pour distilled water on it?  It's weird because I remember reading how the whole keyboard was waterproof and water wouldn't hurt it.  But I guess a tiny dab of Windex will knock it out.  I needed Windex because naturally keyboards get very dirty after a year of use.

     

    So I guess mine will get the waterboarding treatment...

  • by John Nez,

    John Nez John Nez Feb 10, 2016 8:51 AM in response to John Nez
    Level 2 (175 points)
    Feb 10, 2016 8:51 AM in response to John Nez

    Well I flushed the keyboard with distilled water for 5 minutes - then dried it overnight with heat lamps and the furnace heat.

     

    NO change - it's still as broken as it ever was. Wow... and all I did was carefully clean off the grime with a paper towel sprayed with windex. I guess from now on we will just live WITH the grime!


    BEWARE cleaning your keyboard! Grime is good!  I know that Grime hardly fits with the Apple aesthetic of sparkling clean white - but in the real world we have a problem here - using it gets it dirty - cleaning it breaks it permanently!


    I tried to do the right thing and keep it clean.

  • by HonkMcFunk,

    HonkMcFunk HonkMcFunk Apr 28, 2016 3:48 PM in response to John Nez
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 28, 2016 3:48 PM in response to John Nez

    I have the same problem: Cleaned my parents keyboard (usb, numpad, bought in 2013/14, which was a bit scruffy after a year or so.

    I did the same, that i did many times with my keyboard (also USB, Numpad, but with one or two different keys, bought in 2009 or 10) and with my 2008 MacBook (Alu unibody).

     

    Sprayed a paper towel with "Glassreiniger" (I guess windex is a brand of glass cleaner?!) and wiped the keyboard thoroughly.

    I have to blame myself, that I didn't unplug it, before I cleaned it. But I'm almost certain, that I also did this with my devices.

     

    The keyboard immediately stopped working at all. I let it dry for several days and even took a few keys out, so that it dries better, but nothing!

     

    I'll now try the dishwasher + distilled water method and let you guys know.

     

    (It's just frustrating, that almost all the apple products seem to decrease in quality. I mean I gladly pay double the price of an "ordinary" computer (or other device) for a thought through and high quality product. (And my 2008 MacBook is more than it's money's worth!) But lately they just seem to be well designed, high power scrap...:-(

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Apr 29, 2016 12:38 PM in response to HonkMcFunk
    Level 6 (14,244 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 29, 2016 12:38 PM in response to HonkMcFunk

    You may need to be replacing the MacBook keyboard, however the top section of the case

    in a newer portable has to be taken off to replace that section; they're considered integral.

     

    For the key-faces and springs, you could take each one off, one at a time, and clean them.

    There is a switching component beneath the key top and spring, sometimes they can be

    made to work again, other times not.

     

    Some of the newer small wireless keyboards are similar in build to those in MacBook models.

    However their components are more approachable.

     

    • Apple Keyboard Repair guides - iFixit:

    https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Apple_Keyboard

     

    The sections for portable computers and their keyboard, would be as indicated in earlier URL

    (old post) & in each specific model guide for them, are ideas on replacement of the component.

     

    • Mac Laptop Repair guides - iFixit:

    https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Mac_Laptop

     

    Sellers of original replacement keys and spring assemblies for the portable and USB keyboards

    may be able to help since their web pages sometimes include take apart and reassembly info.

     

    A good idea is to never get moisture near the built-in keyboard on portable computers; and if

    using the portable indoors for a length of time, set it up as a desktop-replacement; use a USB

    keyboard and mouse to save on wear, tear, or accidental damages to the most costly portable.

     

    In any event...

    Good luck & happy computing!

  • by FrankyEight,

    FrankyEight FrankyEight Aug 5, 2016 1:43 AM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Aug 5, 2016 1:43 AM in response to K Shaffer

    I have a Mac aluminium keyboard and, after cleaning with a anti-bacterial wipe, half the keys didn't work and I was getting the iiuiiiiiiiidddddddddddddddiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii.................... treatment. So, I wacked it in the oven for 15 minutes at 50 degrees. Pulled the thing out and found that now neither of the keys worked. Undeterred, I put it back in at around 35 degrees and left it in for the hour, then switched the oven off and left it in there for the rest of the day and overnight. Woke up next morning with a sense of positiveness, a great night's sleep was had and morning sunshine was beaming in through my windows. Switched my Mac on, took the keyboard out of the oven, plugged it in and, hey presto, a fully working keyboard

    PS Cooking temperatures and timing may vary, I was using a fan-assisted oven. Other, more conventional ovens may require more time.