Linda Ahlblad

Q: MacBook 12"spacebar problem

My spacebar is faulty, it only clicks and works in the middle. The far left edge does not respond at all and the right edge responds only when pushing hard. Is there a way to fix this or should I just send it for repair? I unboxed the brand new computer two days ago.

MacBook, OS X Yosemite (10.10.3), 12" Retina, 1,2 GHz Intel Core M

Posted on May 30, 2015 1:14 AM

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Q: MacBook 12"spacebar problem

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  • by oakblizzard,

    oakblizzard oakblizzard Sep 29, 2015 1:48 PM in response to Linda Ahlblad
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 29, 2015 1:48 PM in response to Linda Ahlblad

    This appears to be a known issue if you google search this.

     

    I have already had the spacebar replaced one time by the genius bar and it failed again after a short period of usage.  I am outside of my return window otherwise I would be done with it.

  • by xocjen,

    xocjen xocjen Dec 1, 2015 6:13 AM in response to Dtran200
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 1, 2015 6:13 AM in response to Dtran200

    Thank you! This definitely worked for me!

  • by JoA59,

    JoA59 JoA59 Dec 7, 2015 8:24 PM in response to oakblizzard
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Dec 7, 2015 8:24 PM in response to oakblizzard

    I have the same problem with the Macbook Air, March 2015 version.  Apple replaced the keyboard twice (supposedly) and it didn't solve the problem. (There are no crumbs under the key; it just doesn't have any sensors on the bottom. I was told at the Apple store that it is normal and you just have to train yourself to hit the spacebar key in the middle.  This is from a company that has been known for their flawless keyboards and trackpads.  I have typed on many laptops and keyboards over the years and this is the ONLY one that requires that you hit the spacebar in the middle for it to work.  I can hit the key repeatedly near the bottom with no movement; and since my natural typing is to hit the key near the bottom, it is a big adjustment to try to change this. 

     

    It's quite a disappointment, especially since I waited to long to go to the apple store and my (very short) 14 day return window had expired.

  • by Jon Asahina,

    Jon Asahina Jon Asahina Dec 14, 2015 10:05 PM in response to viktit88
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 14, 2015 10:05 PM in response to viktit88

    I also had the same problem with the right side of the spacebar. I got it to work again by using manner similar to Dtran200's. With my method, I left the computer open, turned it upside down, and then pressed the right side side of the spacebar multiple times until it freed up.

  • by d@g,

    d@g d@g Jan 27, 2016 2:31 PM in response to Dtran200
    Level 2 (195 points)
    Jan 27, 2016 2:31 PM in response to Dtran200

    Thanks, my month-old Macbook just developed this problem - and of course, it happened  when I was traveling in a remote location. It is really troublesome as I use the computer for work and write extensively. Many of my sentences, in fact, rely on spaces to separate words, so it can be really tedious to read my work without these spaces. I was able to get the spacebar functioning again by pulling up on it (wedging a fingernail under it an pulling up). Maybe there was an eyelash or dust particle in the mechanism. Iamnotreally thrilled with the fix, though as it it doesn't seem to be 100%. When I am back  in civilized parts, Iwill visitthe Apple Storerightaway.

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Jan 29, 2016 1:00 AM in response to d@g
    Level 6 (14,244 points)
    Desktops
    Jan 29, 2016 1:00 AM in response to d@g

    You could look into the links posted in another reply to see

    how they may work to remedy your MacBook 12-inch retina

    keyboard situation; the reply here has several items inside...

     

    Re: 2015 Macbook: Keyboard produces keystrokes without touching it

     

    An Apple support article on how to clean the keys with canned air,

    is one; and others discovered earlier when I was curious are there.

     

    Good luck & happy computing!

  • by pmw02,

    pmw02 pmw02 Mar 12, 2016 1:39 PM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 12, 2016 1:39 PM in response to K Shaffer

    I had this problem. I lifted the edges of the spacebar using a scalpel (very carefully!) and then blew the dust out with canned air. It's now working perfectly again, although I forsee this being regular maintenance.

     

    Hope this helps

  • by The Skorp,

    The Skorp The Skorp Mar 17, 2016 12:46 PM in response to Linda Ahlblad
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 17, 2016 12:46 PM in response to Linda Ahlblad

    I recently seem to have the same problem.  It seems after hitting the space bar very hard, it is now working again, but the very corner won't work at all. My problem was only the right side of the space bar. It works perfectly still on the left and middle. If you are right handed, the right side is the most important place though. Pretty ridiculous this would be a common problem for an expensive laptop. I paid $1400 for mine, so there should be no excuse for such a stupid problem.  Had it for 6 months.

     

    This is the last time I'm buying an Apple notebook. My Macbook Air Mid 2011 still works great with no problems except for a crack screen that is my fault entirely.

  • by ashleyfromworthing,

    ashleyfromworthing ashleyfromworthing Jul 26, 2016 7:11 AM in response to viktit88
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Jul 26, 2016 7:11 AM in response to viktit88

    I have had exactly the same problem after only a few hours of use and have solved the problem by blasting the space bar with compressed air from an aerosol.  Problem solved - but I suspect not for long.  Clearly there is a design or manufacturing issue with the keyboard. 

  • by emiliano117,

    emiliano117 emiliano117 Sep 4, 2016 11:23 PM in response to Linda Ahlblad
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Sep 4, 2016 11:23 PM in response to Linda Ahlblad

    I was able to free up my stuck spacebar by cutting a drinking straw in half, length-wise, placing it under the spacebar and running the straw around the spacebar in the gap between the spacebar and the case and couple of times.

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