Random Keys Working Sporadically

Is the problem there with a USB keyboard plugged in? That would be interesting that an OS upgrade would only affect certain keys especially since they are mechanically connected.

What happens if you go back to OS 10.9.5 or 10.10.X?

Sorry, it said it didn't post so I reposted it and now there's two!

Plugging in an external keyboard, the external keyboard works without any issue.

I have a very simple theory, an electronic component either functions or has failed. Practically speaking, there is no "in between". If a light bulb, a hard drive or a motherboard fails, the only acceptable corrective action is replacement. At the moment, my internal keyboard is functioning perfectly. Further as noted in an earlier post, Apple did a full hardware test and found no issues with the keyboard.

Another theory, Mountain Lion released July 2012 added a feature to show optional accented letters by pressing and holding a key. This replaced the "repeat key" feature. I didn't realize this change had occurred until recently, but it was confusing. Holding down a key (sometimes one that didn't work) brought up the accent letter display, but when pressing the space (bar) key it repeated as I expected all keys were supposed to work.

Therefore holding down a temporarily inoperative key did nothing, until the error was apparently cleared and the accent key display appeared. Although I didn't make the connection, all keys then functioned perfectly...for a while (keyboard acting up again, very sporadic).

Between then and the latest update, I read about newer Macbooks having issues with a frozen track pad and/or keyboard. (example-http://www.techradar.com/us/news/mobile-computing/laptops/apple-fesses-to-keyboa rd-and-trackpad-freezes-on-some-new-macb…) Digging further, I also found a "workaround" suggestion in the Support section. Restart using Command+Option+P+R but remain holding down the keys until the restart cycles 5 (maybe 4) times. That seemed to do the trick, but after 10.11.3. it did not help.

It was at this point I realized the change in Mountain Lion to show accent letters rather than repeat key presses. More searching I came up with this article explaining how to revert to "repeat" mode and how to reset to accent letter default. (http://osxdaily.com/2011/08/04/enable-key-repeat-mac-os-x-lion/). Making this change to repeat mode has had moderate success.

So my conclusion remains there is/are one or more "background operations" creating the delay in accepting a keystroke, and that once the "operation(s)" completes its/their cycle(s) all works properly.

One additional item that came up yesterday is if I opened up Preferences>Accessibility, then select Keyboard in the LH selection area, then bring up "Show Keyboard Viewer", I can press and/or hold all the "supposedly non functioning keys" on my "supposedly broken keyboard" and hear audible feedback and view a darkened key image according to the key presses. After closing that all down I can still have inoperative keys.

Driving me nuts!!

I had the same problem with D-L not working. Macbook pro 2011.

I tried a lot of the suggestions here but what eventually worked for me was just pushing down REALLY HARD on the broken keys until I heard a disturbing "click" and then, hey, my keyboard instantly works again.

Loose electric theory seems pretty plausible.

If you don't see another response from me after this in this thread it means that fixed the problem permanently or at least until the day I replaced this Mac.

PROBLEM SOLVED

I've had the same problems with my keyboard for the last couple of weeks where some of the keys would intermittently fail to respond. The Genius at the Apple Store believed it was an issue with the actual keyboard and thought it should be replaced (the keys failed even while he was diagnosing the problem while not using my operating system).

I experienced other problems after upgrading to El Capitan from Yosemite (search indexing wasn't working well and Godaddy email was continuously resetting itself in the Apple Mail app), so I went back to the Apple Store and had them erase my computer and reinstall Yosemite.

So far my problem has been solved with the keyboard (and all other issues have been solved as well).

It appears not to be a physical issue with the keyboard because, logically, why would it work sometimes and sometimes it doesn't. There is some type of software interference; either the OS is clashing with a program for some reason or I (and you) downloaded a program that is causing issues with the way your computer is processing the key strokes on your keyboard. Either way, it appears to be working now.

I am going to transfer only the apps that I feel are necessary to hopefully prevent this from happening again. For all I know, this could be an issue with the compatibility of my computer's processor (MacBook Pro, 15-inch, Mid 2010; 2.4 GHz Intel Core i5) with the software I've download, which may not affect newer computers for all I know.

Add my MBP -- mid-2012 model -- to the list of MBP's with an intermittent key not working problem. In my computer's case it is the 'w' and '2' keys most often.

I have not spilled anything on the keyboard.

I tried cleaning the keyboard, using a can of compressed air to blow anything out from under the keys. This seemed to help then the symptom came back. I removed the key tops and checked for any signs of problems. I found none. I did a bit more cleaning using a shop vacuum at home to vacuum the keyboard. Didn't help. I took the unit to work and used lab compressed air -- clean and dry with no oil! -- to blow the keys out.

Didn't help any. The symptoms came back.

I can "fix" the problem by turning the computer off for a while. It cools down of course and the keys work. But after a while the symptom comes back. Using the compressed air also "fixes" the problem for a while as it cools down the keyboard in that area is my guess as to why it helps.

I have tried all the software settings and what have you to no avail. I have pushed the option key, the command key and what have you until my fingers bleed and it doesn't help. I think the problem is a hardware problem and one related to heat.

So, I probably will take the MBP to the nearby Apple store and have the keyboard replaced. Just had the MBP there last weekend to get some worn key tops replaced. Great service with no appointment even and best of all I wasn't charged for the new key tops or the replacement of same.

Yup this is happening to me too. Yesterday it was my 'n' 'm' keys today its the 'c' and 'v.' This is a mid 2014 mac. I just upgraded to the latest OS. **** now its happeig to other keys too!!

I got my MBA mid 2012 causing the exact same issues with the W,S,2 and Tab keys.

also very random, i found that if I tilt the laptop very slightly they being to work for a while and then stop again. so I thought that I had some dirt under the keys.

I followed some youtube video on how to extract the keys to clean under neath but there was nothing there.

super weird. I hope Apple will realize they have a manufacturing defect and will allow us to replace the keyboard under extended warranty or some sort of recall as my apple care expired about two months ago i'm now stuck with this or have to pony up $200 for inspection not to mention to cost of fixing it 😟

I have the exact same issue. MBA mid 2012. S, W, 2, and Tab work sporadically.

They also seem to suffer from the problem slightly less if I tilt or hold up the MBA. If, however, I set it down, the problem seems to return quickly.

My apple care also ran out recently, o we're kinda ****** (that s failed to register as oonas I set down my laptop! Ha! There it i again! Come on..)

Anyway, I'm probably going to take it into the Apple Store and ee what they can do.

The S key is the biggest problem.

Took my computer to the Apple Store Sunday. Diagnostics found no hardware faults. The tech found no signs of the battery swelling. The battery as it gets old and close to the end of its life can build up CO2 and swell/bulge and cause problems including sporadic keyboard problems.

Talked the situation over with the tech and she said in her experience most often the upper case is bad, the upper case being part of the keyboard. I asked about the cost to replace the upper case and was quoted $174 and change. I left the unit to get a new upper case installed. 3 to 5 days ETA.

While I asked for the old hardware Apple policity is to keep this.

Looking forward to getting my MBP back in a few days with a fully functional keyboard.

l would guess that there is nothing wrong with your upper case. It is a software issue. I erased my computer and had the Apple Store return the OS to Yosemite from El Capitan and didn't upload all of my 3rd party apps. NOT A SINGLE ISSUE WITH THE KEYBOARD IN OVER A WEEK.

I would say that is conclusive evidence that it's a software issue with most of you who are experiencing keys not functioning assuming you haven't spilt anyone on the keyboard.

While some users could be having software problems, I do not think that is the case with my machine. But still every user should take the time to eliminate this possibility.

My MBP machine is very bare bones. I use it for email and some online forum activity. I have installed no other Apple or 3rd party applications on the machine. It has what software it shipped with and that's all.

Evein though I have no 3rd party applications I do use the machine a lot enough to wear out several key tops. Thus I suspect in my computer's case it is the case, well, the upper case. I might add while my MBP is in the shop I have gone back to using my Thinkpad some (I'm using my iPad Mini with a Bluetooth keyboard at the office to write this) and its space bar is acting up. I forgot about this. But the Thinkpad is going on 10 years old and has been used quite a lot and as a result quite a few of the key tops are worn out on it. I wear out keyboards.

"Diagnostics found no hardware faults."

Yes, I wouldn't expect either Apple hardware test would find a keyboard trace failure.

"Talked the situation over with the tech and she said in her experience most often the upper case is bad, the upper case being part of the keyboard.

I asked about the cost to replace the upper case and was quoted $174 and change."

Yup, Apple is not going to go to the trouble of replacing just the flex keyboard. These can be had for as cheap as $20 but from China or $33.11 for the 13" from Michigan:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Replacement-Keyboard-with-Flex-Assembly-For-Apple-Macboo k-Pro-13-A1278-/121555358622?hash=item1c4d43939e:g:14sAAOSwUuFWueUO

It's a pain to do because in the Unibody, everything!, has to come out of the computer. Then there are about 50 tiny screws (Don't hold me to that number, they're really hard to count!):

that have to come out, then everything goes back together. I have done about 5 now. I also recommend using only new parts because I used a used one and it developed an "S" key failure. Like "ssssssss" and had to be replaced.

I have a MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013) and have intermittent problems with the "r" key. It's usually worse just after boot up when it's cold then slowly improves. I tried cleaing with air duster and that didn't fix it. I also created a new clean user account and logged in with that but the same problem appears. This leans me to thinks it's hardware rather than software. If I lean on the button it generally works but its very tempremental. It's not been subject to any knocks or spills. I am using a apple bluetooth keyboard now and that works perfectly. Looks like a trip to the apple store this weekend. Not been the best of machines this one as it was only a few months back they had to replace the screen which was starting to de-laminate around the edges,

Spring 2011 Macbook Pro. Same problems as many of you, intermittent loss of random keys.

Mine are the R, T, U, I, and O keys.

Sitting with the Macbook on my lap at a slight angle seems to cause it every time.

No amount of pushing or bending seems to help. Keys stop working and start working at will.

I just tried unplugging the MagSafe Power cord it seemed to fix the problem. But then the issue returned several minutes later. I just had the logic board replaced about a year ago, so there's really no reason that there should be any sort of issue at this point. But it continues.

I don't feel like paying several hundred dollars to keep this running every single year especially when I paid so much for it to begin with. Apple really needs to address this.