How to fix persistent squeaky left arrow key on M5 Air keyboard?

wreckLse wrote:

Has anyone encountered anything similar and know of a sure-fire way to resolve this?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: M5 Air squeaking keyboard

Well you could spray it down with WD-40 but I wouldn’t recommend it. If it were me I’d take it back to that Apple Store and to speak with the manger. If it “cannot be resolved at an official Apple Store” then you should be entitled to a replacement M5 Air. You get more with sugar than vinegar so no anger, no sarcasm, no profanity. Speak quietly and firmly and explain why you think a new M5 Air would be the solution.

👍

I waited nearly a day for anyone else to reply to your question, "Has anyone encountered anything similar and know of a sure-fire way to resolve this?" No replies appeared to be forthcoming, nor have I ever heard of anything like it, so it is reasonable to conclude whatever may be wrong with that Mac's keyboard is not a widespread problem.

Also, I question whether the problems are limited to that key or perhaps a component beneath it. Whatever they did, it was not an effective repair.

Given that the Apple Store's cursory fix was ineffective you should definitely return to the Apple Store and insist they make it right. A top case replacement is not particularly difficult, but it would be expensive if you had to pay for it. Trying to fix it yourself is 100% certain to be a lot more expensive.

Oh good grief! The WD-40 was just trying to inject a little humor into the situation. It was SARCASM! And after 14 days the OP is still entitled to a replacement if Apple cannot repair their new Mac. Some jurisdictions require three attempts at repair before other rules (like lemon laws) kick in. Apple needs to repair or replacement a defective product they cannot fix.

John Galt wrote:

Something else I do not understand is replacing a key. To my knowledge it is not possible to replace an individual key; the entire keyboard needs to be replaced as a unit. In fact the entire top case is replaced. So I don't understand what Apple did. They may have replaced a key cap, but it unlikely it was the source of the noise. If the noise remains then essentially nothing was accomplished.

FYI, Apple & AASPs can replace individual key caps and scissor mechanisms. Apple even provides two kits since they returned to using the reliable scissor mechanisms. One kit includes one of each key cap on the keyboard and the other kit contains a matching scissor mechanism.

I have yet to see anyone on this forum mention that Apple or an AASP has ever replaced just a key cap or scissor mechanism. I think maybe most techs don't realize Apple provides these kits, but it may also be due to the price of the kits being so expensive. Replacing a couple of key caps would be pricey and I would expect most AASPs would charge the full price for the whole kit(s) since I have found certain keys tend to be most common needing replacement....still cheaper than a new Top Case though.

I believe the scissor mechanisms & key caps since 2020 (Intel & M-series) use the same parts (I don't know about the M4/M5s or the Neo, but they seem to have various colors for the keycaps instead of black). I think the MBPro 16" (2019) is also compatible.

The scissor mechanism & key cap are the main moving parts. There is also a silicon cup/nipple which is a part of the Top Case Assembly. I've never heard any laptop keys "squeak" in 30 years and all of the models Apple has made in that time. About the only difference in the scissor mechanism on these 2020+ laptops is that the scissor mechanism is the key cap & scissor are much more difficult to remove without damage which also means the tolerance is much tighter with the scissor's attachment to the Top Case. Maybe Apple changed something again with the M5 models, but I haven't seen one yet.

lkrupp wrote:

wreckLse wrote:

Well you could spray it down with WD-40 but I wouldn’t recommend it.

That would just make a mess, likely get inside the laptop to the electronics, and also attract dirt. I'm not sure how it would react to the various materials such as the nylon material used by the keyboard.

If the OP missed the 14 day return window, then getting an Apple Store or AASP to fix the problem is the way to go since it is a new laptop.

Something is not clear to me so I have questions. You wrote that the fault could not be resolved by the official Apple Store. When you left the Apple Store, the repair was complete, and for all Apple knows you departed a happy customer, correct?

When you returned home you determined the problem was in fact not fixed, correct? Presumably, you contacted the store to inform them of your dissatisfaction, is that also correct?

Was it then they told you they could not fix it, and if so, what action did they recommend?

Something else I do not understand is replacing a key. To my knowledge it is not possible to replace an individual key; the entire keyboard needs to be replaced as a unit. In fact the entire top case is replaced. So I don't understand what Apple did. They may have replaced a key cap, but it unlikely it was the source of the noise. If the noise remains then essentially nothing was accomplished.