MacBook sticky keys

is it safe to use WD-40 on your macbook keyboard? I have some sticky keys so I used it and now it works like a dream.

MacBook

Posted on Jul 31, 2020 4:45 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jul 31, 2020 7:18 PM

I would not use WD40 on a keyboard since it will attract and hold dust and dirt. Sticky keys are usually caused by crumbs or liquid residue causing the key cap & scissor/butterfly mechanism to bind. If compressed air doesn't help to make the keys work properly, then the laptop should be repaired by having the keyboard replaced.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205662


If your laptop has the dreaded butterfly keyboards associated with the 2016-2018/9 Macs, then Apple has a free keyboard repair program to address the issue assuming the issue is not caused by liquid damage. However, now that you have sprayed the keys with WD40 you may not be eligible for this free repair program.


Apple free keyboard repair program for some USB-C Apple laptops:

https://support.apple.com/keyboard-service-program-for-mac-notebooks


FYI, here is a current list of the publicly acknowledged free repair programs for various Apple products. Some Apple products have multiple programs available.

https://support.apple.com/exchange_repair


Edit: For older Macs it is possible to remove the key caps and scissor mechanisms to clean them. It is also possible for the butterfly keyboards as well, but the key caps & butterfly mechanism is much more fragile and delicate so I don't recommend anyone doing this on them especially since Apple has the free repair program available. You still must be extremely careful doing this even with older Macs with scissor style keyboard since the plastic snaps & lugs are very fragile and are easily damaged if removed incorrectly.

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jul 31, 2020 7:18 PM in response to Martinoshana

I would not use WD40 on a keyboard since it will attract and hold dust and dirt. Sticky keys are usually caused by crumbs or liquid residue causing the key cap & scissor/butterfly mechanism to bind. If compressed air doesn't help to make the keys work properly, then the laptop should be repaired by having the keyboard replaced.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205662


If your laptop has the dreaded butterfly keyboards associated with the 2016-2018/9 Macs, then Apple has a free keyboard repair program to address the issue assuming the issue is not caused by liquid damage. However, now that you have sprayed the keys with WD40 you may not be eligible for this free repair program.


Apple free keyboard repair program for some USB-C Apple laptops:

https://support.apple.com/keyboard-service-program-for-mac-notebooks


FYI, here is a current list of the publicly acknowledged free repair programs for various Apple products. Some Apple products have multiple programs available.

https://support.apple.com/exchange_repair


Edit: For older Macs it is possible to remove the key caps and scissor mechanisms to clean them. It is also possible for the butterfly keyboards as well, but the key caps & butterfly mechanism is much more fragile and delicate so I don't recommend anyone doing this on them especially since Apple has the free repair program available. You still must be extremely careful doing this even with older Macs with scissor style keyboard since the plastic snaps & lugs are very fragile and are easily damaged if removed incorrectly.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

MacBook sticky keys

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.