HT203162: One or more keys on the keyboard do not respond

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Nick A Jones

Q: Keys (del, few others) don't work when on lap / uneven surface, work fine on flat, hard surfaces

It's strange, I know, I didn't believe it myself until I tested it again and again.  If on a hard surface, this Macbook Air types all keys fine, however if I place it on my lap, suddenly certain keys don't work.  My guess is the aluminum is bending ever so slightly, enough to create issues with keys near the corners (esc, del, even a, so perhaps the left or right edge).  It's a definite effect, and is reproduce-able.   Do we need to take advantage of our hardware warranty or is this something hair or dust in the keyboard could cause?  (It's very clean, so we're not talking a lot of dust or hair if any).  Thanks

Posted on Dec 18, 2015 3:13 PM

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Q: Keys (del, few others) don't work when on lap / uneven surface, work fine on flat, hard surfaces

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  • by georgefromnampa,

    georgefromnampa georgefromnampa Dec 19, 2015 6:43 AM in response to Nick A Jones
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 19, 2015 6:43 AM in response to Nick A Jones

    I had a problem similar to this on my MacBook Air.  It was one I purchased on Craigslist.  The listing said water damage and I got it fairly cheap.  At first, I thought it was the keyboard.  As I played with it, most of the keys came back but the control and option key on the left side of the keyboard would always actuate together.  When I used a wired external keyboard the keys worked properly so I just figured the keyboard was bad.  I actually cut away part of the mylar keyboard seal on the underside of the keyboard thinking I could clean the keys and everything would work again.  As it turns out, it wasn't the keyboard.  It was the contacts on the ribbon cable going to the main board.  I used a Q tip and some alcohol to clean the contacts. I suspect a toothbrush and alcohol might have made the job easier but a Q tip was all I could find at the time.  At any rate, this fixed the problem.   I had to remove the trackpad to get at the contacts.  IMG_0538.jpg