Sticky Key on Keyboard

In my experience this is a problem that affects the extreme left (ctrl, alt, command) or right (arrow keys)and seems to be caused by heat acting on the tape that sticks down the keyboard.

If you have applecare, then you should be liable for a free replacement or at the very least to have your keyboard re-seated (preferably the former).

If not then you can buy the keyboard as a spare part, however if it's a backlit version then it will be a tough job.

I'm happy to report (at least to my knowledge) this issue is 'solved' on the current revision.

... or not solved, for me. I've had three keyboards, and I'm currently asking Apple for a new PB.

I have a sticky trackpad button - a wholly different problem I guess 🙂

Is this also a common problem ? (coz this started happening on a month old laptop)

I just got this same problem on my 2 month old Powerbook G4. No Apple Care, and too far away from the store to purchase it. Did anyone have any luck with this issue? My trackpad button is getting worse--quickly. Can I open up the computer and fix it myself without replacing any parts?

You can pop each individual keys on the keyboard off. Often junk gets stuck under there, especially hair. Get something thin and stiff (screwdriver)and pry it under the key and slowly pulldown to release the catches on the key.

Try looking at the mechansim and cleaning. If that doesn't help, maybe the rubber 'button' is ruined. You might be able to find spare parts somewhere on ebay....

I hope this helps.

Mine too. First sticky keypad replaced under warranty in April (5 months old, but started after first month. Kept it through the holidays, then got bit by the Lower RAM Slot Failure). 4 months after replacement and this one is going to get replaced again. The first time they gave me an illuminated keyboard, but with no built-in hardware to support it, kind of useless. Maybe keyboards are/were in short supply. First bad keyboard had sticky keys in upper left corner and above and to the right of the spacebar. This one is bad in the lower row of letters above the spacebar from "b" to the right. Different spots in different days. Must be heat/humidity related. Or just poor quality/design from the start. Or both. Unhappy Apple camper.

what if the clip pops off? is there a schematic available somewhere that shows how it goes together, and how to put the key back on the board? Also, I think my clip is actually broken; do you know if there is a way to get a replacement - other than ebay?

Thanks, Cate

Hi Cate,

I found a website that sells G4 parts:

http://www.pbparts.com/shop/al+cs

The only problem is that you would have to buy the whole keyboard. As for a schematic, you'll have to look it up at this site:

http://www.eserviceinfo.com/index.php?what=search2&searchstring=PowerBook+G4

I hope this helps.

Drew

Yep, I'm in the same sticky boat. My arrow keys started sticking then popping back a second after pressed about 6 months after I got it (Aug 2004). Apple certified shop ordered and replaced it under warranty with a new one Jul 2005. Less than two weeks later, the M N J K keys are all sticking. Not happy. Must be a heat issue. Back to the repair shop...

Mine was sticking, then they replaced it. New one sticks too.

What exactly does the sticking/unsticking?

My Keys have the adhesive sticking problem too (particularly 'K'). Has anyone had this successfully replaced?

Also the rubber lining around the powerbook rim (around the palm rests) is kind of lose and seems to make typing uncomfortable (in particular on the skin right behind my wrists). Any suggestions on this? Thanks!

Andrew Thompson,

My laptop was shipped with a broken key. I did some research and found

http://www.powerbookmedic.com
(There, I can buy just the scissors and key alone, although I have never used them.)

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=88106
(There, Aple tells me how to do it.)

Something to consider, AppleSupport new policy has me sending in my PowerBook for repair because of 'new policy.' They won't just send out the key.

ive been having the same problem for a while now. I first got the PB in january 05, and it was great for a while, but about 5 after i got it, the upper left function keys started to get the "under the keyboard adhesive problem". I held off because the problem wasnt that bad, but i also had white spots on my screen, so i sent the PB into apple to get it fixed (while its still under warranty). I figured id get the keyboard fixed too so i asked em to do it. When i got the PB back, the keyboard i got was worse than before. The first keyboard was pretty subtle in the sticking, this second one was much more blatant. I took it to the apple store near my house and they fixed it in 2 hours. When i got there to pick it up i checked out the keyboard and sure enough, it was sticking again (no sticky keys mind you, just the adhesive under the keyboard itself) and this time it was worse. I asked the "Genius" if it was common for this to happen and he said he would have a tech check on it and see. He took it into the back of the apple store and i walked around to see the PB floor models' keyboards (i was neurotic at this point, sure i had made this up or something) He came back out and said it was normal, so i tried to show him what i meant...

he typed on the keyboard for a while and told me "it was fine sir". He was trying to push me away... in short, here i am at home typing on a keyboard with sticky adhesive, and im about ready to inject super glue under there or something! ive been through 3 keyboards now with no luck. whoever it was in this thread that has asked apple for a new PB, did you have any luck? i am out of options, i feel defeated, and im thinking that apple is not all their cracked up to be, least of all, POOR design apple... get it together.

Brand new (4 days old) and the 'B' key is sticking. I had to push down on it to make it stick, but I could do it reliably. When it stuck, there was an audible click. When I finally got it to pop back up, it made the same click. Fiddling with the key, once it was stuck down, I'd have to press on various corners to make it pop back up. I then proceeded to press down on each corner of the key letting it remain stuck down. After a short time, it popped back up and seems to be better.

Interestingly, before this happened, I noticed that the space bar doesn't always want to generate spaces. That is actually more frustrating than the 'B' key sticking, because at this point I have to hit 'B' with a little bit more than normal force to make it stick.

This is a BRAND NEW machine, only days old, so needless to say I'm not pleased. It is a backlit keyboard, and I have the extended warranty. From this thread, it sounds like Apple may be seeing a lot of me.

Not sure if it shows up in my profile, but I too am in So. Cal.