Keyboard marks on Macbook Pro M1 14" screen

I try to avoid putting pressure on the display when carrying the laptop because there is so little clearance between the display & keyboard. This has always been an issue with Apple laptops even back on the 2012-2015 Retina models and the clearance is even less today. Keep in mind Apple does place a piece of very thin foam/cloth between the display & keyboard when shipping the laptops from the factory even though the laptop is within a very sturdy box. I don't recommend putting anything between the display & keyboard except perhaps the original material Apple used from the factory or you risk cracking the glass and/or LCD panel.

The keys are rubbing the anti-reflective coating from the Display. You can have Apple check the laptop to see if they will do anything. I know that Apple has a secret free repair program available for the older models, but I don't think that program applies to Apple Silicon Macs. Even if the program is valid for Apple Silicon Macs, I don't think the coating is affected enough to even qualify for the program. Apple has some very strict guidelines for determining how bad the anti-reflective coating issue must be especially if it is just the key impressions.

teoboni Said:

"Keyboard marks on Macbook Pro M1 14" screen: After 1 year of use some permanent, non cleanable marks appeared on my screen. Specially spacebar marks and adjacent areas of the mousepad where the hand stands while typing."

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Perhaps this is a Faulty Mac?:

How old is this Mac? Is it really over than 365 days since the date of purchase? If it is covered under warranty, or if you Apple AppleCare on this if might be deemed a Faulty Device. Note that you have a one-year, out-of-the-box, limited-warranty on this device, if purchased directly from Apple. So, setup a Genius Bar Appointment at your Local Apple Store.

1. Since the imprint is from the keyboard, I purchased one of these. It works great for me.

1. https://www.etsy.com/es/market/macbook_pro_keyboard_skin?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Search_MX_DSA_GGL_SPA_General-Nonbrand_Catch-All_All&utm_ag=MX_DSA-General&utm_custom1=_k_Cj0KCQjw7ZO0BhDYARIsAFttkCjnth0c4cI76Eq087I-K8nHdd0mBBvFX-a9eIoNzNkBoDdbRHWvPl8aAtHOEALw_wcB_k_&utm_content=go_17067917446_139062912947_647117541530_dsa-1456167871416_c_&utm_custom2=17067917446&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADutTMc2qFxoIwWT0fAIBgQ4yvOo2
2. https://www.amazon.com/Macbook-Case-Keyboard-Cover/s?k=Macbook+Case+and+Keyboard+Cover

hi! i used microfiber cloth moistened with ethyl alcohol (just one drop). i tried to clean it as lightly as possible to avoid damaging any screen protective coating that apple may have. i also started using a microfiber keyboard blanket/cloth and avoided placing anything on top of my laptop. hope this helps!

Since a few weeks, I was using a 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of paper that I place on my keyboard before closing the lid. The thickness of this sheet of paper is 0.09 mm.

Last week, I found a long lost pad of tracing paper of 8 1/2" x 11". The thickness of one sheet of this tracing paper is 0,04 mm.

Now I use this sheet of tracing paper to protect my screen and I also wipe the keys with a sheet of cleansing wipes before putting the tracing paper in place.

I seldom close the lid on my Macbook Pro and do all the above mentioned procedure only before closing the lid. I also avoid putting too much pressure on the laptop when stored in its carrying bag.

My point, and I know it has been mentionned by other users, is that we shouldn't have to do that to circumvent a design flaw by Apple. Hey, Apple, make your laptop 1 or 2 millimetres thicker. This will not prevent me from buying a Mac laptop. The race to produce the absolute thinnest laptop is ridiculous.

@Allan Jones is correct.

From the picture provided, the issue appears to be minor at this point and doesn't affect the actual viewing of the screen when using the laptop. Yes it may be annoying to see when the screen is dark, but so what. Just try to adjust how you handle the laptop when the display is closed. If you carry the laptop in a bag, then make sure nothing is putting pressure on the laptop or the back of the display.

You can also provide Apple with product feedback (Apple won't respond):

Product Feedback - Apple

tavares2021 wrote:

How can a microfiber cloth, that’s is just as soft as toilet paper, crack/damage the screen?

When the object takes up more space than exists when the lid is closed, something is bound to give. The glass & LCD Panel are the items which "give" and break. Many microfiber cloths are not that thin, plus if it kinks or doubles up, then it suddenly is taking up twice the thickness. Just simple physics.

Plus I thought of something else while replying to another similar thread: Even if the item is thin enough to fit in the very narrow gap with the lid closed, that item may be able to press against the keys or even the trackpad causing the laptop to wake/power on. With recent Macs, pressing any key or even the Trackpad will cause the laptop to wake or power on. There is currently no way to disable this dreadful "feature". This may cause the laptop to overheat & drain the battery while traveling leaving the user with a laptop that cannot be used without a power adapter connected until the battery is recharged.

Why do people want to risk a $1,000 repair of an already expensive laptop?

When carrying the laptop do not hold it in such a way as to press the display/lid into the keyboard. The same goes for carrying the laptop in a laptop bag. Do not put any other items into the bag with the laptop so nothing gets pressed against the display. I have both an M1 2020 and M2 2023 laptop and so far have not had any keyboard marks on either of my laptop's display. In fact I only see the issue with just a small number of my organization's thousands of Apple laptops.

If the keyboard impression on the screen is really a wide spread issue, then I suggest users contact Apple corporate directly to let them know your displeasure. You can also provide Apple with product feedback here although it is hard to say whether Apple does anything with the feedback.

Natyd27 wrote:

First, I spray directly onto the MacBook screen and then a little more onto the towel. Using circular motions, I wipe the screen.

Never spray anything directly on the screen. Liquid can run into the speakers or get into other places. Apple also recommends against using anything but water or, if absolutely necessary, alcohol. Other substances can damage the coating on the screen. Are the makers of the product you're recommending going to pay to have your screen replaced if that happens?

Avoid getting moisture in any openings. Don't spray liquid directly on the computer. Don't use aerosol sprays, solvents, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide that might damage the finish.

How to clean your Apple products - Apple Support

christiaanfromrotterdam wrote:

Are you sure that the alcohol will not react with some kind of protective layer on the screen? I wouldn't use alcohol.

See Apple's instructions here:

How to clean your Apple products - Apple Support

Personally, I try to avoid ever using solvents on my screens. The best thing you can do is prevent the problem. Wash your hands before using your computer. If you use lotion on your hands, wait until it's fully absorbed before using the keyboard. Wipe the keyboard with a soft, dry cloth before closing.

Jean (Johnny) Lemire wrote:

My point, and I know it has been mentionned by other users, is that we shouldn't have to do that to circumvent a design flaw by Apple. Hey, Apple, make your laptop 1 or 2 millimetres thicker.

You can provide Apple with product feedback here:

Product Feedback - Apple

This will not prevent me from buying a Mac laptop. The race to produce the absolute thinnest laptop is ridiculous.

And this is why Apple keeps doing it. No one is willing to vote with their wallet and purchase a product from another manufacturer. As long as Apple sees sales, they take it as a sign that their customers agree with their decisions.

Even before the Retina model laptops, I used to see keyboard impressions on the screen. Other manufacturers had the screen bezels protrude just enough to keep the screen from contacting the keyboard. This issue is nothing new with Apple. Somehow my two laptops an M1 & M2 don't have marks on the screen and I've been carrying them around for a while (I don't have anything in my laptop bag that will press against the laptop, so that may help).

How can a microfiber cloth, that’s is just as soft as toilet paper, crack/damage the screen?

Same on MacBook Pro M2 :(

These aren't just marks, these are scratches due to micro dust particles over the keys and trackpad, Happened to me too on my m1 air macbook. Pretty annoying but I learned to live with it.

2 weeks ago I brought my m2 max 16 inch MacBook Pro in for this problem and the apple store WORLD TRADE CENTER fixed it for free it was covered by my apple care and thats its a DESIGN FLAW

Hi, how bad were the scratches on your screen so that they agreed to fix it for free?