Stuck key on 12 inch Macbook keyboard

You do NOT need to send it back to Apple.

Simply a gentle vacuum will remove any very fine dust or debris and the keys will be as new again. How do I know? That's exactly what I just did to correct a non functioning left shift key. The design of these individually LED lit keys requires a very VERY fine key to surround gap to prevent light spillage like the other non butterfly Macbook Pros. Unless you have your 2015 Macbook in a wafer fabrication clean room this will happen to all of them eventually. Some may be almost immediate or others may take 8 months like mine.

But TRUST ME! This is the solution. The keys are NOT broken. Cheers from Australia!!!!!

Yes, there are easier ways to troubleshoot the issue than to have

an Apple technician replace the keyboard; sometimes the problem

is just 'dust bits' under the key-faces or jambing the springy things.

Re: 2015 Macbook: Keyboard produces keystrokes without touching it (for only the T key)

Sometimes, the problem is hardware failure; trying to make it work

is the main way to tell if the problem key-kill dustbunnies or circuitry.

Glad you were able to get yours to function after dust exorcism. 😉

I guarantee in all of these cases it's dust or debris.

I have looked very closely at the key surrounds and the tolerance is extremely fine to prevent individual LED lit keys from spilling light as in the old style keys. Simply a gentle vacuum first with a nozzle using a soft brush extension will do the job!

Cheers from Australia.

Can Apple post a NOTE on this matter please? It will save the customer a lot of time and Apple will save a LOT of money by replacing perfectly functional machines.

Vacuum the keyboard gently with a crevice nozzle using a fine brush fitting. This will free up the sticking keys!!! 100% Guaranteed.

Yes, I'm aware of the easy method to try & fix the problem; and if that does not work

then the next steps would involve an Authorized Apple service provider or an Apple

Store with service tech (or genius, by appointment) to see what they can do for a user.

Several persons have used the advice I've given in the past two model years and in

more than one similar keyboard design. Another fix may be to use information on how

to take the keyfaces off and clean underneath. The spring parts can collect debris.

Glad to hear you are discovering this; and these MacBooks are not as difficult to cure

the problem if it isn't to far gone; there can be a hardware failure behind the symptom.

Not sure if a 'User Tip' on this topic has been created or sponsored by anyone yet.

Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

I would argue that this is not a perfectly functioning keyboard. i've had my computer for 5 days and now have a stuck 'shift' key, as well as 3-4 other keys. i don't want a keyboard that is this 'sensitive' and requires attention like this. Sorry for the lack of capitalization...........keyboard problems here.

It isn't sensitive to the extreme.........

Merely gently vacuum with a brush nozzle and your keys will be perfect again. Mine were fine for 8 months until showed signs.

You may hae a very dusty environment OR have debris caught up. A magnifying glass and a bright torch will reveal far worse than you naked eye can determine. Possibly you're just a filthy slob?

If you've owned your 12-inch Retina MacBook for less than a week, since new, ask

the reseller if you can trade it up or across for a MacBook Air. This is easiest if you

bought direct from a retail Apple Store; not independent authorized reseller. In US

& few other regions, you have 14 days from the day of purchase to contact Apple

and arrange to return the computer. Elsewhere, the option may vary, or not exist.

And if you did not buy direct from Apple (retail store or official site store) you may

ask the unit be inspected and repaired under warranty. The basic initial coverage

should suffice; for 90-day support and one year service. The extended AppleCare

adds cost but may serve to secure the investment; or incentivize a second buyer

to consider your used MacBook if it still has an active AppleCare plan intact.

For the inconvenience of USB-C ports and no separate power port, the MB/Air may

be a better concept. My preference remains with the older design 13-inch MacBook

Pro with optical drive, & the ability of a user to upgrade the RAM chips; still available

in the online Apple Store and occasionally also in their 'refurbished' section for less.

Hopefully you can resolve this issue in one of the ways that should be available to you.

Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

Can someone please post a link to a vacuum that they have had success with. Thanks.

welcome tothe rapidly growing club - nowan army.As you cansee my space bar is sticking,and I'm nowonmythird 12-inch computer.Soon(or already) the replacements will not be covered under warranty.

Broken? No. Malfunctioning? Annoying? Inexcusable? Yes! Yes! Yes!

I had the 12 inch for almost a year. The keyboard started misbehaving after several weeks. Apple happily serviced it and returned it. Several months later again I am plagued by the keyboard erratic sticking keys.

I take it to the Apple store (appointment with Genius Bar) in January and demonstrate the problem expressing my frustration with the chronic keyboard problem. After taking it in for inspection they offer to replace it. I have to say also, a few weeks earlier I had bounced it off the pavement. Only a short drop about 18 inches. I carry the unit in a nice protective sleeve but left it unzipped. I was shuffling things around as I sat on a park bench and it went in slow motion all the way to the ground leaving a small but noticeable crunch on a corner.

So I anxiously said yes and she took my computer, transferred the data and gave me the contents of the box as well. They needed the box to ship my unit back to the mothership. I did purchase the Applecare for the laptop.

I sold the machine a month later not trusting myself to handle this machine and went back to my late 2013 macbook pro.

I might buy the unit again as I liked the low weight in my pack and I liked the trackpad. The USB C was great too.

The keyboard is not ready for primetime. I kept a can of air to regularly spray the dust and crumbs away whenever I felt the urge to spray.

What sort of vacuum and/or blower devices are folks using? Brand names please!!!! Vacuum? Blower? Both?

Sadly, can see this will be ongoing issue w/ MacBook keyboard - I've had mine for 3 wks & A key is sticky. (Problem started while eating baguette - suspect tiny breadcrumb is culprit. No more baguettes while working I guess 😟 )

3 days later after canned air, tiny dental pick, turning upside down etc, problem improved - probably bread crumb starting to rot. Rescheduled today's Genius Bar appt for next wk - hopefully won't need. HATE going to Apple Store! I understand Apple not proactively admitting keyboard is a problem, but why do their employees have to lie? Several told me there's never been a keyboard problem w/ MacBook - like I was 1st person who ever complained! Why don't people just say "I don't know" instead of making things up?

I love the Macbook keyboard/clicky feel too! 😟 to have to spend $20-80 on an electronics vacuum and/or blower (when never had to before - I've owned Macs since 1997). But I will.

So please, you helpful folks who have successfully used vacuums - what machine do you use? I've scoured amazon - reviews vary widely. Would value your opinion.

Also, does anyone know - - Where do particles that fall inside the MacBook EXIT? The only egress I can see are the tiny (pinprick-sized!) air vents next to the hinge. Is my baguette crumb inside forever? Surely there will be more particles...

Thanks!!!

You should be able to get a fairly inexpensive small attachment kit that would

work on most any larger vacuum cleaner hose; I've seen a few & used some.

Any larger hose/vacuum can be adapted to use smaller tools.

Two I found in a duckduckgo search just now; somewhat similar and you should

be able to find something locally. If not, hobby sites or amazon likely has some.

mini micro tool attachment set:

http://www.amazon.com/Attachment-Fits-Vacuum-Cleaners-Perfect/dp/B006BY1AEY

miniature vacuum kit:

http://www.micromark.com/MINIATURE-VACUUM-KIT,7651.html

{And those keyboard covers that are supposed to help keep stuff from getting in,

are sometimes a mistake. A second keyboard (wireless) may be an idea; and to

not use the built-in one unless you are traveling. With a cover.}

Just some ideas.

Good luck! 🙂

Hi all,

Im from Malaysia and I'm facing the similar problem as the "." key does not have the "click" feel like another button. Thinking to send for warranty as I only purchased for a month. T.T

having read through your posts and just come back from the Apple store. i find this very frustrating.

Firstly, this is the second time i have been into the Apple store. first time the lady took a look, couldn't replicate the problem and said i should bring it in if it ever happens again. this time when the 'c' key got stuck, i left it that way (normally when the keys get stuck i give it a good thumping and it returns to normal - not preferred behaviour because if i damage the keys i can imagine the 'smart ***' response i will get from Apple then), went in and the bloke said 'oh' it has debris, went to the back, used compressed air and cleaned it out and came back to say 'see its good as new' - I am not buying that. He went on to give me a lecture on how to keep my mac away from debris (because he has one and does it himself). I almost retorted by saying he was stuck in the store all day and therefore would use his mac about 2 hours a day, while i live on mine!!!, but held my tongue.

Secondly, my wife has the same macbook but bought about 6 months after mine. She has had no problems with her keys and uses hers as much as i do (debris and all). besides her keys have a bit more spring to them than mine (mine feels like a flat tire when i press them).

All in all this is not satisfactory. firstly seeing you guys recommending the purchase of compressed air, vacuum heads etc, which is a band aid solution (and a cost to you). this is not the first device with a keyboard, and it won't be the last, so Apple needs to fix this issue. If you are having troubles take it back, if the genius bar sees enough volume with the same issue, then they might take action to fix it (and they can well afford it). by band aiding you are not hammering the genius bar resources enough for Apple to take action. if you are under warranty or have apple care. use it!! I have used surface pro's and other smaller devices with smaller keyboard and debris has never been an issue. Given we are the first generation users of the butterfly action, we owe it to future mac users (including ourselves) to ensure that apple gets it right. for smaller companies, i appreciate that early adopters take alternatively courses of action, because they accept they are early adopters, but in the case of Apple, they can afford it.

PS: I might write to Microsoft and ask them if they want to setup a trade in program for my macs, iPhones, iPads and apple watch (by the time i add all the hardware together it would come to a tidy sum). i might just see myself move completely back to windows and let apple rot!