MacBook Pro 2016 keyboard issue

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.

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?

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.