MacBook Pro 2016 keyboard issue

BTW, also see a related thread: Re: MacBook Pro 2016 keyboard issue. I hope internet crashes with these messages!! I had the T key broken after 2 months. After repair, the G stopped responding fully within 40 days of that repair.

Has anyone found a solution to this problem? I've called Apple and they claim there is no known issue regarding this, but judging by this thread and numerous others, it seems as if they are well aware, but pretending not to be.

I've had my Macbook Pro 2017 with touchbar for 3 months. After 5 weeks, the L key stopped responding. Somehow I corrected it, and now it's happening again with my N key. For the life of me, I can't remember what I did to correct it the first time. I followed all of Apple's suggestions (below), but nothing worked. I think I found an alternate solution somewhere online, but haven’t been able to find it again.
Help??

How to test an issue in another user account on your Mac

Reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac

How to reset NVRAM on your Mac

Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac

How to clean the keyboard of your MacBook or MacBook Pro

This happened first with my L key, which managed to correct itself after I followed the Apple recommended steps below. Then it happened with my N key and those same steps didn't help, at least not at first. I had to repeat them a few times and then the problem resolved. Now it's happening with my B key. When I first contacted Apple, the literally said they have NO record of anyone reporting this problem. I told them it's all over the forums with people reporting they have called Apple Care, gone to the Genius Bar, etc.. and they were clearly falsely claiming the problem didn't exist. They acted like deer in the headlights, as if they had never heard of this problem before. So frustrating.

What's bizarre is that the second time around, the problem didn't resolve after the first time I followed these steps. But it also didn't continue consistently. It would be fine for a day, then return again. I repeated the steps and nothing happened, then repeated again - and again nothing happened - until a few days later, the problem finally went away.

Now I'll have to start all over again and try to fix the B key.....

How to test an issue in another user account on your Mac

Reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac

How to reset NVRAM on your Mac

Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac

How to clean the keyboard of your MacBook or MacBook Pro

Update: Feb 07, 2018.

I had a lengthy post with my experience, but the terms of the apple discussions do not allow me to submit experiences or rants and only submit constructive answers, and it was deleted. Here are my suggestions at diagnosing and attempts at resolution of the problem whenever this happens:

1. Make sure the keyboard is covered with a very thin cover that can be bought on Amazon, and do not allow any dust, however small, to enter. I am thinking of wiping the keyboard everyday with a soft cloth (not microfiber because it itself contains, and may leave, dust particles). But be aware that the cover does change the touch-and-feel of typing, especially for touch-typers.
2. If the key is broken, gently test by pressing the 4 corners, and by pressing in the center of the key. Usually, you will notice one or more of the pressure points are the ones that don't look right and maybe the cause of the trouble. Please follow Apple's recommended steps as @riceball99 has above to see if it resolves the issue.
3. You can also test by repeatedly pressing the key (gently of course) and compare that to the key right next to it. If you notice that the rate is different (e.g. if you pressed the key 20 times repeatedly and fast, but only got 10 letters, while on the other key 20), this generally means that it needs intervention. Please take it to the Apple Genius bar immediately, or call support, and they should be able to help you. Cannot do much more with this type of an issue. My recommendation is to stop using the laptop immediately after you notice the issue first because it may exaggerate the problem causing the root cause to change (manufacturing defect to accidental damage)

If anyone is interested in knowing my experience, the steps I go through for troubleshooting and the steps I take to try and resolve the issue as recommended by Apple, and what I think about Macbooks, (hopefully someone from Media is listening), I am more than happy to help (Not sure how you can reach me since I cannot put any personal emails here).

Rajesh

Hi,

common issue with butterfly keyboard version 1 and 2. The 12inch MacBook had this issue. If any dirt gets stuck under the keyboard the keys stick. When I owned the 12inch MacBook I brought to the Apple Store many times. I always got it fixed but they always found a way to try to blame it on me.... example they told me its the environment I am keeping it in.... Well its a laptop so ya I take it out.

Anyways a few things you can do to help.

Can of compressed air ( works best )

turn the computer over tap the bottom ( works sometimes )

Hit the key until it un sticks ( usually what I do )

Return to apple they will replace the top end or give you a new one ( done this twice with the 12inch MacBook)

Sorry about this issue. I have the 15 inch 2016 MacBook Pro with touch bar and have the exact same problem.

After one month of use (and many more typo's then in the past with the old type keyboard) suddenly one morning both the right half of the space bar and the return key didn't function anymore, unless I rammed them. The next day the problems were gone, to reappear and disappear the next days. I hate to miss the machine, but I will bring it to the store where I bought it.

This is happening to me too. Bought the laptop and within 45 days, one of the keys stopped working and had to be pressed hard for it to register. Absolutely didn't expect this type of crap from Apple. The worse part is that the Apple Genius bars are not helpful at all! They don't give out loaners, which is understandable. But the frustration was that the lady who claimed she was the manager (I guess a lot of people ask for a manager, so now everyone is a manager ;-) ) kept of telling me that I could exchange it with a laptop that is in store with lower specs and kept of repeating that it would be slow, etc, etc. I didn't need to be told about that. The point she was trying to make is that my laptop was custom configured when I bought online (higher graphics & disk). So, I requested that I cannot be without a laptop as this is my work laptop, and the only one I had. I requested if Apple can ship a new replacement TO THE STORE, and then I can bring my old one (granted the "T" key was bad) to get it replaced! I was given all kinds of excuses from I would have to deposit $3500 to "its a known problem and must be sent to the engineering department". It's been 1 week and I still don't have it back. I used to remember the early days where they would go out of their way to help out. Now, it looks like another HP, and Microsoft is doing the innovation. At least with HP you know what to expect. With Apple, this is the second consecutive time I have had horrible experience for something that was considered a known issue!

MBP 2016 Touch Bar - My "b" key stopped functioning properly, after 12 days. Sometimes it didn't register at all; at times it registered twice. Several other issues such a screen color hue shift and dropped WIFI. After reinstalling the system, the "b" key worked completely normal again. Most other issues were not solved. They keyboard in itself is a disaster. Unfortunately I had to return the machine. Such a beautiful computer, and so many issues, especially the keyboard....

I had this exact same problem. The "o" key on my keyboard became unreliable and started to miss clicks after about a month. Apple swapped out the whole laptop. It's been about a month. Now, on the replacement, the "d" key has started to fail.

Same issue with the letter "O" on my macbook pro keyboard. I brought it in to the Genius bar last week and they spray air underneath the key, which seems to work for about an 1 hour. Then, when I started using my macbook again that night, it was back the same situation as before. This must be a hardware issue with the spring of that key. I am scheduling a repair appointment.

Same here - now even worser.

Now "D", left "Shift", "Enter" and "Space"

I had a lot of MacBooks through the ears, and this is the worst computer I ever bought. Lucky me, I have the 2013 MacBook, and I´m going to use it again and sell this lemon. I never going to buy an Apple computer again.

Bye bye - Apple!

I´m going to sell this MacBook now and do a fresh install of my MacBook 2013. This is the first MacBook I can´t recommend to anyone, and probably I´m switch to PC after this. I have no time for this kind of problems in my job, and it´s not "Pro" at all.

My last repair (please see my post above) was around March end. Today is April end. And low and behold, previously the "T" key was broken, and now I have exactly the same problem with the "G" key. When I received my computer after repair the last time, the repair paper they give you showed me that they pretty much gutted the whole system--logic board, i/o boards etc. were all replaced. Probably the only 2 things left were the battery and the screen. So, now that I have the problem again with the G key, I am back to square one. I mean exact same problem twice with a computer that I have only had in my hands for 4 months is ridiculous. And it cost me $3500! Apple Support is not sympathetic either (they used to be, not anymore). In the golden days, for something like this, I would have been offered a replacement and an additional benefit for the trouble. Now, they all read from a script (the way HP/Dell do)--the fact that this is only 2 times, the policy is that if it breaks 3 times, only then it is replaced. Which, at this rate, I am predicting is going to happen sometime end May / Beginning June. I wish I could get this message to the Internet World so that they stop buying Apple hurting them where it hurts most. This is such a disappointment, I mean I am thinking of throwing this in trash and probably buying Windows machines....at least 50% cheaper if not more, and you know what you are getting into with them (bad service), so no high expectations. With Apple, I've probably had high expectations but really one of the most horrible products they have made. I only wish more people notice and this is reported on CNN or something and the stock takes a dive! I am going to try my best to report this to influential blogs, Consumer mags, sites, etc. I've had it.

😁 . Completely true! Unfortunately for me, I am stuck because of my work related tools. But, I am actively looking for replacement. I also have influence as to what is used for making iOS apps, and I am highly considering React Native etc. which doesn't require a Mac for the most part, and then relegate this Mac to a testing machine....pricey, with tocuhbar, coaster sitting in a corner!

Apple is decaying internally I think--just my 2 cents

Hahaha... yes decaying internally! I did a clean install of my old MacBook Pro 2013 and I use that again. It felt like a release or freedom to go back on my old machine and it´s beautiful keyboard. It´s a trusty workhorse. I´m also actively looking for a replacement, maybe a Dell XPS.