MacBook 12"spacebar problem

How about trying to open the Spacebar keycap? I had different clicking sound on the "~" key, the sound is like something sticky sticking the key. So I tried to use a very fine needle to open up the cap. After than it is fine now. Actually it's easy, I don't have any experience opening Apple products, so I'm a newbie, you can definitely do it.

Disassembling the keys appeared to be easy, after two tries 🙂 Now I fix a stuck key in 30-60s.

There are just a few things you should know, the most important is that you should be very gentle in order not to break any of the delicate plastic parts. Don't try it if you don't have appropriate manual skills. Or if you still have the guarantee to lose in case of physical damage you can make trying to fix the keys yourself.

There are two moving parts - the key itself and the inner lever set. You can take off the key by pulling first its top side (the one closer to the screen). You can do it by pushing first the key in the opposite direction to make some space on the top side, putting there some flat piece of plastic or nail to pry. Try to lift just the key, so don't put the pry too deep, since you could also reach the key levers that should stay in place. You will hear 2-4 clicks of disconnecting joints, depending on the key size. Once all the top joints are open, the key can be lifted almost vertical when its bottom hooks disconnect from the joints (this is why you should start from the top side - the hooks could break if pulled first). You can then remove the key and use compressed air to clean the key socket. The small function keys have hooks on the right side, so start opening them from the left side. After cleaning just place the key with the hooks first, lay it down and push gently - you should hear the clicks of connecting joints. The key should work as a new one, of course if you managed not to break anything 🙂

If you want to clean also the lever set, which is more risky, you can take it off by pushing them towards left and prying up the left side. Why left? Because the lever is asymmetric - the hooks on the left side are slightly shorter (less than 0,5 mm?) than the right ones.

Sometimes when you lift the key, it appears that the levers came out along with the key. You can put the key with the levers (or just the levers) back but first put down and align the right side of the key/levers, pushing gently down so that the longer lever hooks find their place. Then push the key/levers left and down (on the left side) so that the left shorter hooks click. That's it. Hope this helps someone.

(Last warning: be gentle. I broke one lever hook the first time I opened the key, this is how I learnt they are asymmetric.)

Thank you so much for the help. I tried this after my dog dumped my MacBook on the floor (bring back the magnetic power cord) and the right side of the space bar had stuck. I tapped pretty hard, moving back and forth on the keyboard and it popped back in to place. Yay!

If you bought the product in the U.S. directly from Apple (not from a reseller), you have 14 days from the date of delivery in which to exchange or return it for a refund. In other countries, the return policy may be different. If you bought from a reseller, its return policy applies.

I already returned one computer for this issue and they replaced it, only to have it happen on my new one too. I think this is going to be a huge ongoing problem for Apple with this computer...

Exactly the same problem with mine. Same day I bought online to Bestbuy (I tried to buy in the Naples, FL Apple Store but they don't had any in stock) I returned to my home overseas. Just three days after this annoying problem appear -and worsening with every spacebar click-.

I don't know when I expected to return to US and there's no Apple service available in my country. Anybody knows if may I call to Apple service to register the problem and if they be willing to change them regardless the guaranty period?

Thanks!

What happened? Did the new one came without the problem? I am getting mine on Thursday after waiting for 4 weeks. Hopefully it is not an issue with all of them because for some reason I only use a small area in the sides of the spacebar when typing and the office laptop has this issue and it is extremely annoying.

I just got the same problem after 3 weeks of using it. I have to click pretty hard every time and the far right corner doesn't work at all. Unfortunately I'm in Vietnam right now and there's not Apple Store here. What can I do? 😟

I found that closing the computer, putting it down upside-down, and tapping the bottom area around where the spacebar is helped to release the spacebar key so that it works properly again.

I am a heavy user and I rely on the macbook everyday and sticky keys happened to me couple of times.

I found the cause to be simple, the key travel is so shallow that even if a tiny bit of food particle or small things go under the key, it will no longer function properly.

Using 2x needles or better with toothpicks you can easily take out any key and clear under within in 30 seconds.

best regards

Mertol

Dear Friend!

I have the same problem with my right side of spacebar. Please, can You help me, I do not understand how to solve it. Can You explain me once more. Thank You!!!

Thanks for your solution, It's really help me to save a time for bring my macbook to repair store.