MacBook Pro 2016 keyboard issue

UPDATE January 6, 2018:

Now my "F" key has broken down with exactly the same problem! This will be my 3rd time for this Macbook! I can't believe this time Apple has screwed up big time!

Just a reminder, the keys get "stuck". Most often I have noticed in my experience and hearing from others, the keyboard usually starts having problems in the middle section of the QWERTY keyboard--usually keys like T, G, H, F or Y. Even when I am typing this message, I am unable to type properly!

I haven't started a case yet on this 3rd time, but I will have to shortly. I will keep posting on this thread if it helps anyone else.

Rajesh

I hear you. I have been wrestling with Apple Support for the last hour on a 'P' key not working on my 3 month old $2800 MacBook Pro. Two visits to the 'genius' bar. Then finally sent out for repair. I received an email today saying they need $680 to cover the repair as he key would only fail from abuse.

I was using it the day it failed and struggling to meet a deadline - sometimes the 'P' key would work but more often not. I would have to press it 3 or 4 times or hold it for several seconds to eventually get a 'P' to appear on-screen. I tried using compressed air to remove dust under the key though I doubted there was any. According to Apple I should have stopped typing and gone to the Genius Bar and not tried to finish the my project. I am not a teen playing games on it. I'm a graphics professional who has bought over 20 Macs during the years. It seems this is a 'known' issue here on Apple's own support site and yet they are denying it.

Using PowerBooks then MacBooks and MacBook Pros - starting with a slick black 'Wall Street' model - I was not a fan of the new keyboard at all. Very loud clicking. Keys not coming back up with any pressure. A totally different feel. And the new monster track pad often reacting to a slight brush of my hand as I type. And now Apple seems to be ignoring the problem.

I have yet another call and trip to the Apple store in the morning. It is even beyond the money for me at this point. It is a matter of principle. I do not want Apple ripping people off. I am just thrilled I did't spend extra for Apple Care is this is how they deal with warranties.

What can be done to get Apple's attention on this?

Don't worry Rajesh, your rant came through because I received an email copy of it before Apple deleted it. :-)

Totally feeling your pain and frustration. I've heard it's the new butterfly keyboard that is the main problem, as the previous MacBook Pros did not have this problem. I'm thinking of getting rid of my new one and downgrading. I had a refurbished MacBook Air that lasted forever with no problems. I handed it down to my college-age daughter and she is still using it with not a single issue.

Oh one more thing...(to bring Steve Jobs' style ;-)) I completely forgot to mention before in my replies that when my Macbook was repaired this time around, it looks like the top case (i.e. the housing with the Keyboard / keys) is actually from the 2017 version of the Macbook (my model of Mackbook is late-2016). Now, there is a "caret" symbol on the Control key, and there is no word "enter" on the return key. Which makes me think I might have gotten the newer top-case with (I am hoping) some sort of changed or more robust butterflies keyboard. We'll see what happens.

@riceball, I don't know why, but sharing it with the communities here, and hoping that it helps people, is almost acting as therapy for me ;-)

Thanks for your note, and I absolutely agree. Its definitely related to the new Butterfly keyboard design. Other than that, its great. I actually do love the touch bar given I am a developer. I am able to control what shows up in different applications and contexts. If only there were no keyboard issues, and it was a little more robust as the previous models, it would have been another great product from Apple consistent with their tradition!

@rjain2212 - Hopefully the new top case resolves the problem!

In other news, now my N key started acting up! This will be the 4th letter so far. I wonder if it'll go through the whole alphabet 😠.

I have a week of customer meetings and sales calls next week that I need my laptop for, so this is really going to be a big problem. There isn't enough time to take it to the Genius Bar and request a repair.

I'm curious - when you took yours in for repair, did Apple admit they knew about the problem?

@mclarenf1 - You've had yours replaced 3 times already? I assume the first 2 times didn't resolve the issue. How did Apple respond when you first brought it in? Did they pretend they had never heard of this before?

@riceball99, sorry for the late reply. But no, they did not admit to any known problem with this type of an issue. I just don't know how that is possible.

As I said in my post above, for some reason, they put in the newer 2017 top-case (which has the keyboard). The 2016 keyboard doesn't have any symbol on the control key, and the "return" key also does not have "enter" word (the 2016 top-case does). So, I am crossing my fingers that the 2017 version has enough of a change to stop with this problem from happening again. We will see.

I'm experiencing this as well. While it affects multiple keys, the B key is the worst. I often get 2 or 3 bs with each press. It comes and goes though. And interestingly, the second b will often occur after the next letter. So not bblack but blback, which seems odd. Based on the experiences here, I'm concerned about taking it in, but really need to so I can get it on the record. I don't know when I'll be able to send it off. Frankly, I don't want to until they know they can fix it for real. I use an external keyboard/mouse during the day so that minimizes the annoyance.

Hi, i've bought the new Mac 2 weeks ago and I have a serious issue with my "O" button. It doesn't work when you press it...after only 2 weeks. So sad :/

Yea I am having similar experience. The T key is now much 'shallower' and the enter key feels a little different too. Been using it for two weeks. Mine is a Macbook Pro 13" non touchbar.

Probably crumbs/hair/or other debris getting beneath the keys. The new scissor style keys seem to be more susceptible to this than the previous generation keyboard. A good quality camel hair brush and compressed air might solve the problem.

Mmm...my "O" button really doesn't work at any press. Thanks, but after a couple of time of usage, I don't think it's just an hair or similar :(

My "I" keys takes a much harder press than any other key and this is right out of the box.

My "I" key only works with a much harder press than any of the other keys and this is right out of the box!! 15" wth touch bar. I'm not happy. The nearest Apple Store is 3 hours away. I don't think I should have to drive that distance to have a brand new machine fixed! And I told chat support that. Some is supposed to be calling me to arrange a mail in exchange.