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Macbook Pro - 2016 (with Touchbar) - Builtin Keyboard Issues

Hi all,


Having a weird problem with my MacBook at the moment, and it's started happening all of a sudden without warning.


The issue makes the keyboard completely non responsive, what is weird is the Touch Bar and trackpad work. I believe these are all connected in some way, so if one failed the rest should right?


This happens normally when the MacBook goes dormant, I sometimes just close the lid and pick back up when I need to use it, the keyboard can go unresponsive from that point. However, there is no sequence.


I've wiped the MacBook, I've tried creating a new user and the same issue happens so I don't believe this is a software problem.


I'm using that same keyboard right now without any issue, so it comes and goes.

To make it work again. I restart / shutdown multiple times and then all of a sudden it will start working... its frustrating and can sometimes take about 10 tries.


Anyone else had this issue?

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 13.0

Posted on Nov 20, 2022 11:55 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 20, 2022 2:32 PM

Downsy2023 wrote:

Hi all,

Having a weird problem with my MacBook at the moment, and it's started happening all of a sudden without warning.

The issue makes the keyboard completely non responsive, what is weird is the Touch Bar and trackpad work. I believe these are all connected in some way, so if one failed the rest should right?

This happens normally when the MacBook goes dormant, I sometimes just close the lid and pick back up when I need to use it, the keyboard can go unresponsive from that point. However, there is no sequence.

I've wiped the MacBook, I've tried creating a new user and the same issue happens so I don't believe this is a software problem.

I'm using that same keyboard right now without any issue, so it comes and goes.
To make it work again. I restart / shutdown multiple times and then all of a sudden it will start working... its frustrating and can sometimes take about 10 tries.

Anyone else had this issue?


Sounds like a hardware issue—


Track pad/keyboard cable is really flat Mylar® ribbon w/ printed circuit traces— these traces can develop faults over time...


In the case of an intermittent generic failure, the electrical continuity of a cracked trace on both sides of the crack is very often a function of the temperature of the unit at the point where the crack exists.


Some production years were more susceptible then others.


see vintage and obsolete:

Obtaining service for your Apple product after an expired warranty - Apple Support

Obtaining service for your Apple product after an expired ...



most any computer repair store that works on mac can diagnosis/replace the cable or upper case if necessary, if cost effective.


A work-a-round is to use an external keyboard / trackpad if necessary.


Similar questions

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 20, 2022 2:32 PM in response to Downsy2023

Downsy2023 wrote:

Hi all,

Having a weird problem with my MacBook at the moment, and it's started happening all of a sudden without warning.

The issue makes the keyboard completely non responsive, what is weird is the Touch Bar and trackpad work. I believe these are all connected in some way, so if one failed the rest should right?

This happens normally when the MacBook goes dormant, I sometimes just close the lid and pick back up when I need to use it, the keyboard can go unresponsive from that point. However, there is no sequence.

I've wiped the MacBook, I've tried creating a new user and the same issue happens so I don't believe this is a software problem.

I'm using that same keyboard right now without any issue, so it comes and goes.
To make it work again. I restart / shutdown multiple times and then all of a sudden it will start working... its frustrating and can sometimes take about 10 tries.

Anyone else had this issue?


Sounds like a hardware issue—


Track pad/keyboard cable is really flat Mylar® ribbon w/ printed circuit traces— these traces can develop faults over time...


In the case of an intermittent generic failure, the electrical continuity of a cracked trace on both sides of the crack is very often a function of the temperature of the unit at the point where the crack exists.


Some production years were more susceptible then others.


see vintage and obsolete:

Obtaining service for your Apple product after an expired warranty - Apple Support

Obtaining service for your Apple product after an expired ...



most any computer repair store that works on mac can diagnosis/replace the cable or upper case if necessary, if cost effective.


A work-a-round is to use an external keyboard / trackpad if necessary.


Macbook Pro - 2016 (with Touchbar) - Builtin Keyboard Issues

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