MacBook Pro 2016 keyboard issue

Unless there are any indications of a keyboard redesign that has properly fixed the issues in the new models, I don't see how processor bumps would improve anything. I'm thankfully in a position where the cost isn't really any issue, so if Apple is good about it I might just update my 12" instead - otherwise I'll just eat the cost and move entirely to the XPS 15" I got for Linux development.

The caps lock misses key presses since day one. Tab key started double registering after around 2 months. A week ago it was turn of the b (typed that 3 f^*#&G times) missing key presses, and now the left arrow as well. And, as the cherry on the pie, the right tweeter blew up. I travel around and need the machine to work, so I can't afford to remain without laptop for 2 weeks while they (maybe) repair it. What am I supposed to do, uh? Thank you Apple, thank you.

Now when i got my new one! I was so happy, everything seemed fine.

But after a while..

The up and down keys, are harder to press down than others, and don´t always register my press, you must press quite hard.. It´s not a huge thing , because I don´t use them so much..

But, the "enter" key! Is harder to press down, it register but it´s like harder. On the left side of the button it´s fine, but more on the right side it´s like sticky and hard to press down. I will use it for a week and see if it´s getting better, if not. I want a new computer.. This costed 4000 dollars, the keyboard must be good!

Just for notice, I have a Swedish keyboard.

I'm at my wit's end... the "d" key is almost unusable. It seems to be the one that gets stuck more than others. I use compressed air but that only helps for a short period of time.

Seems there's not much point in taking it into Apple, because as far as I can tell most people who have the keyboard replaced end up having the same problem with the replacement. Sometimes it's even worse.

The worst part is that there's little chance of this problem getting solved in the future, because it is caused by Apple's obsession with thinness, even for pro computers. I can't see them going backwards and making the MBP thicker again in order to give the keys more travel.

I am not ready to make the move to PC, just can't do it. I'm considering trying a new iPad Pro with an external keyboard. Don't know what else to do.

i have the same problem.

- "2" and "caps lock" sometimes doesn't press at all, sometimes they press twice

- "enter" key seems like it's clogged, though the mac has max 2 months old and i don't smoke above the keyboard or clean my dandruff.

those don't happen only when the mac is heated... happens all the time and started suddenly.

above all those i do encounter that mechanical random sound which is pretty annoying.

I'm very frustrated because i do programm a lot and i need a working keyboard. i cannot doublecheck if the keys are pressed or not or pressed twice .

Same Problem here. MacBook Pro 13'' 2017 without Touchbar: After 2 Days Tab Key did not response without hard pressing. Next day this problem was gone. 2 days later the "J" and "R" keys make strange sound and doesn't feel like the rest of the keys... When I reading post on the internet I don't think that a one time repair would fix this problems forever. Hopefully Apple will find a solution on this. Really disappointed from Apple.

Please make the Mac great again!!!!

I have had mine in for repair twice and the random keys are going bad again. Today it is the letter 'b'. I have also had the battery replaced and the screen. This machine has been the worst experience from Apple, ever. Conceptually it's a great machine but in practice, it's been a nightmare! It is about to go out again for repair but the tech requested a replacement. What are the chances of that?

Ugh, that's terrible. Do you have a 2016 or 2017? I've heard a few rumors that the 2017 keyboards have a lower failure rate, but not sure how reliable that is.

Of course none of us should have to buy a new computer just to get a keyboard that actually works!

2016. It was the first week of production. I went into the Apple Store to get a repair and they ran a diagnostic and found the battery to be faulty. They sent it off, replaced the screen, the battery and the keyboard. Then the keys went bad again and they replaced the keyboard with Touch ID. Now this is the third time it's gone bad. I would really appreciate a new machine at this point.

They should absolutely give you one. Push for it.

I just ordered a 2017. I got a good deal on it through B&H. I'm going to take my 2016 in (which was also first week of production), have it repaired or replaced if they will, and then sell that. It still has two years of AppleCare so if the buyer has issues he/she should be covered.

I'll only end up losing maybe $300 in the transaction, and I'll get a small upgrade in the process, but I'd rather not have to do it and there's no guarantee that it will even work. I've been an Apple guy for >30 years (we had an Apple IIe when I was growing up) and this is by far the worst experience I've ever had with an Apple product.

Also an Apple guy. Heck everyone in my orbit has turned to Apple because of me. LOL. Not sure how I would 'push for it'. I have been really insistent on the phone for a replacement and they give me their standard language of resolution through repair and how sorry they are.......

Just got back from the weirdest Genius appointment I've ever had at an Apple store. Sat down and told the guy about the issues I'm having. He said, "Oh, yeah, I agree 100%. Worst keyboard Apple has ever designed. I personally would never buy one of these computers for that reason. And we've seen and endless stream of people with the same issue you have in here."

He said he'd run a keyboard diagnostic, but didn't expect to find anything technically wrong. (I'd just cleaned the keyboard a couple of days ago so it was working relatively well.) Here's the kicker: He basically told me he didn't have anything to offer. He said the keyboard is terrible on all of them, so replacing it doesn't make sense. He even told me that he'd replaced several of them for other customers, and in every single case they ended up having the same problem.

Could be that he just masterfully talked me out of a replacement, but I don't think that's what happened. They guy was genuine. Now I'm not sure what to do. I did order a 2017 MBP from B&H that is still unopened in its box. I wanted to wait until I had my appointment, for exactly this reason: in case Apple said there's nothing they can do.

I have to say that the forums seem to support his case. I've read so many posts of people who've had their MBPs replaced, only to encounter the same problem within a few weeks. This does suggest it's a design flaw and not an issue with individual computers.

On the other hand, I have a friend with a 15" MBP that he bought a little bit later (mine was ordered day of release, so in the first batch), and he's never had the stuck keys issue. And if everyone was having this problem, wouldn't there be some kind of class action lawsuit or at least a page one bruhaha on MacRumors?

With B&H, once I open the box I can't return it. So I need to decide whether to take a risk on a new machine and sell the 2016 I have now, or just suck it up and live with what I've got. What do you think?

P.S. The store rep did share the routine he's found to be best for cleaning: compressed air, alcohol wipes, and a nylon probe.

Yeah, well if they make me send it off for a third time then I'm buying an iMac for a couple of weeks. If you know what I mean. I'm not going without a machine while they dick around with customers like this. They can suck up that expense if they're going to mess around.

Fortunately I use an iMac as my primary machine. I only use the MBP when I go to my clinic office and when I travel. If I only had the MBP I'd for sure get an external keyboard. I happen to love the Apple keyboard that comes with the iMac. Such a joy to type with.

I think you're well within your rights to do what you're suggesting given how Apple has responded to you. I'm leaning toward giving the 2017 model a try. Worst case is I have a slightly upgraded MBP that still has a crappy keyboard, and I lose about $300 in the transaction. At this point I'm so fed up that I'm willing to take that risk.

I figured I should do an update. After three repair attempts and a fourth bad keyboard, Apple eventually wanted to replace the 2016 Macbook Pro in june - although it took them a month to actually do it. This new computer worked well for just under three months, but last week it became obvious the 2017 model is also developing issues - in this case the lower part of the return key: https://youtu.be/Qpj6VbFQ8AA

Of course, Apple wants to try and "repair" it again. Based on this thread, I sadly think it's increasingly obvious that it's not a matter of luck or not, but fundamental flaws in the design. If you use the keyboard several hours a day, the only question is how long it takes to develop problems, and whether you accept some keys not working well. Without a real redesign, this is not something that can be fixed.

I would strongly advice anybody in the market for a new computer to stay away from these machines. Both the Dell XPS 13" and the Thinkpad X1 Carbon 14" are great machines with wonderful keyboards, and they are likely to be updated with Intel's new 8th generation quad-core processors long before Apple might (or might not) bother to fix the MacBook Pros.