MacBook Pro (15" with Touch Bar) Keyboard Clicking/Sticking When Machine is Warm

I've posted before but here's an update.

I've returned my MBP15 twice for this this issue. The one I have now has the key defect on several keys and also has started making a slight high-pitched sound from time to time (an issue I had with one of the returns) when it's under load. The touchid sensor is a little loose too. Don't have these problems with my work computer or any other macbook I've had (except a very old one that was failing), so don't see this as 'expected behavior'.

Ultimately I decided to keep this machine because the issues are comparatively mild. I've found most of the time I don't notice the noises unless I'm in a quiet space in which case they do drive me crazy. Not at all ideal but I guess I've gotten used to it. My plan is to hold onto this one until a product revision is released and try to sell it and buy the newer model.

I have to imagine Apple is aware of all these issues by now and it's disappointing they've taken no official action. I guess that's to be expected. This might be the epitome of a first-world problem, but ***** when you're boxed into the apple ecosystem for work and have to pay more than a $1000 premium over a comparably-equipped alternative laptop for one that's still buggy.

Same issue here. It affects only the F key, and occasionally the H key when it's under load. Also a BTO Radeon Pro 460 machine. Interestingly, I exhaustively tested every floor model they had (under both CPU and GPU load, lots of heat) and found exactly zero units that displayed even a hint of the problem.

I've ordered a replacement (cross-shipped) and will be returning the original. If the new one has the same issue, I'll probably return both and go another way. I could see having this sort of issue on a $200 ASUS netbook, but this thing costs as much as a used Toyota. It is *insane* to buy a $3k machine and have coworkers looking over asking "what the **** is that noise?" while you try to type.

Press F to pay respects.

In this case, it sounds very much like an improperly-assembled scissor assembly – like a tiny plastic tab is coming seated and unseated with every keypress. Apple needs to fix this and roll out a free repair program, or their reputation for quality is going to take a massive and deserved hit. It's absurd enough that I'd be willing to toss a website up to collect complaints and help apply PR pressure. Three. Thousand. Dollars.

I have this issue on a new Mac Book Pro (13 April 2017).

It effects numeric keys 1-8 when warm. Sometimes it's just one or two numeric keys, on occasion it's all.

Customer support have not heard of this issue before and they offered to replace it (with a 3 week round trip time). I can't be without a laptop for 3 weeks and I don't want to risk getting something back that affects the other keys. It appears all replacements suffer with the same issue, so not sure I see the point.

I noticed some people have had a new "keyboard shim" fitted to try and resolve the issue. Perhaps I will contact the guys in store to see if this helps.

Pretty poor though, expected better.

I talked to Apple executive relations department via e-mail very briefly about this issue. I have a defect-free keyboard now, but it took a bit of effort and a search for the right tool.

It appears that there's a plastic "bubble" membrane that surrounds the actual keypress sensor beneath the key cap. I was able to procure a tool for detaching the problematic keys (a tiny plastic "spudger" tool that was made from soft plastic). It's critical to get the right tool, or you risk damage. I inserted the spudger at the interface between the case metal and the top of the key cap, and CAREFULLY detached the key cap from the top side so as to not damage the tiny hooks on the bottom half of the key cap. There are more-durable plastic "clasps" at the top of the key cap that snap in, but we're still talking about tiny parts, plastic, and small tolerances. Be very careful. Skill and luck are hard to separate in small sample sizes. Do not force anything.

However: by pressing on the plastic "bubble" membrane beneath the key cap, I was able to reproduce the exact "snapping" sound. Conjecture: either the keys were slightly misaligned so that the circular "presser" is making contact with the plastic membrane, or the curvature of the plastic"bubble membrane around the keypress sensor has a curvature that's just a bit off and it's making contact with the key cap in some way. Either/or.

Anyway, I used the same plastic "spudger" tool to apply gentle pressure to the plastic "bubble" surrounding the keypress sensor (likely changing the curvature just a bit), replaced the key cap (carefully sliding the bottom hooks in first, downward, then pressing gently on the top of the key), and the sound vanished. I was able to do this twice, with two different keys, with absolutely no damage to the keyboard whatsoever. It's held up.

Apple: I am completely willing to (at least attempt) to show you how to do this so you can issue a service bulletin and start performing these repairs in-store.

scary.pt:

That is exactly the problem. It has been discussed in detail on the nearly 1000 post long thread on macrumors. See below link to forum. It's unacceptable that you should have to do this to a $3k laptop.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/2016-macbook-pro-issue-high-pitched-keyboar d-clicking-sound.2022399/

Check this video out as well, it shows exactly what you are talking about.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4dOq6iG-8I

It's unbelievable that Apple has not fixed or acknowledged this. My senior support rep is letting me wait for the next map revision and I will try replacing it with a new one when they come out. So insane, I've had a new one shipped to me with the same problem. BTW, Apple has a "shim" kit that they are trying to fix the issue with but it doesn't work.

Same issue here on a new (2017/2) MBP 2016. Took some time and heating for the phenomena to appear.

Issue affects the 'I' key mostly. 'P' and 'O' got back to playing nice. I noticed that the clicking happens when pressing the center/bottom of key (which is the normal way one clicks I presume) but not on the upper part of the key. And it is so so annoying. Apple what did you do ? Fix this thing it is so disappointing

Just thought I'd chime in to give my two cents about this issue: I have a 15" BTO late '16 w/ ISO keyboard and I've already had my keyboard (top case) swapped once because some of my keys were "popping" severely. The popping issue disappeared after the initial swap, but the new keyboard is plagued with other inconsistencies. For example; most keys still generate an array of noises from light popping (not as bad as before, but still noticable) to rattling (I think this has to do with the fact that the keycaps are not even remotely firm -- you can literally make them rattle by moving them back and forth with a fingertop).

So.. I decided to take my second keyboard to an Apple ASC, and they tried to fix the issue with Apple provided shims and keycap replacements. However, after the 1 week repair process I still can't feel or hear a difference; some (if not all) keys still "snap" and rattle severely. The saddest thing is that some 300$ laptops with ridiculously cheap membrane keyboards feel a lot better, as they at least provide a consistent feeling and SOUND. But no, apparently this is what I am going to have to live with for purchasing a 4000$ BTO MBP.

TL;DR: It is as if my keys suddenly turn from Cherry MX reds to blues, simply because I do not press them at exactly *insert amount of force* and at exactly a 90 degree upward angle.

If someone from Apple could actually contact me with a suggestion for a permanent fix then I'd be more than delighted..

I ended up popping the keys off from the top and gently lifting them out, then I put a small shim of very thin paper in between the keycap contact point and the plastic covering... problem solved. It is a shame that I had to do that on such an expensive device and for something that was already solved (the keyboard). Seems like the key cap and that plastic covering likes to stick to each other.

Apple: more than one of us know how to fix this on demand. This is your flagship laptop. How about inviting one of us down to Palo Alto so we can show you how to fix it and help develop the service bulletin for your in-store technicans. This can be fixed in store and quickly. ****, I'm down in the Bay Area all the time. Would come for free. We're developers and builders, makers. We want the best laptops and tools money can buy. Nothing else.

Very cool. Very sad. How about a video (that would probably hit #MPB views)? I think some of you guys in the US can tell ConsumerReport that they can once again remove their recommandation for the 2016 MBP because of this issue which Apple doesn't seem to care about

Same issue here, very annoying. Affected keys are 'O' and 'R'. So if anyone actually knows what Apple's does to fix it, I think it would be very much appreciated to post their solution here 🙂

Really not looking forward to sending my laptop away...

Got my new MacBook Pro 13 2017 (Kaby Lake) without touch bar version. The "delete " key got loud clicking sound when the machine is warming. Really sad, It's brand new. When machine is cold. The key doesn't sound differently.

I did, they said they'll do a diagnose. I think it's a shame that a brand-new MacBook Pro has a faulty. By the way, before this 2017 one. I ordered and returned the 2016 MacBook Pro that has the same issue. They haven't fixed this issue on the new version of the MacBook Pro.

I purchased mine May 2017 and I have the problem with a couple of keys. I have an appointment with Apple today, but I am not sure its worth it to go. Will they just send me home with a "sorry?"

I have the Pro 13" with touch bar just for reference.