MacBook Pro 15" (2018) Keyboard "t" key repeating issue?

I bought a new MacBook Pro 15" (2018) last week and have been absolutely loving the computer. As an academic, I do a ton of typing and have actually found the keyboard quite enjoyable to the touch.


Recently however I noticed a strange issue popping up infrequently where it feels like the "t" key on my keyboard will repeat when pressed. That means certain words "tthat normally dontt have multtiple" t's appear like so while typing. At first I thought maybe I was pressing the keys incorrectly, or subtly too quickly since I do type quite fast, which led me to testing out different key press pressures and angles. I find that if I slightly press the 't' key on its left side edges, or if I roll my finger over it, it will duplicate the tt issue.


I know this was one of the many keyboard issues that plague the 2017 MacBook Pro + TouchBar models but I thought surely this could not be the case with the newly updated 2018 models...I reached out to Apple Support which suggested I reset the SMC & NVRAM, but the problems persisted after this. Today, I used compressed air and noticed that while the t issue seemed to be resolved, it immediately resumed a short while after.


Do I have a faulty device? Will this need to be repaired or returned? Pretty unsure what to do since the issue becomes quickly annoying and adds considerable time to my writing and editing.

MacBook Pro TouchBar and Touch ID, macOS High Sierra (10.13.6), null

Posted on Sep 14, 2018 5:08 PM

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Posted on Jan 17, 2019 2:31 AM

Used Apple program (active for 4 years after the first retail sale of the unit.), battery and keyboard are brand new and working fine.

Don't try anything else, wont work. https://www.apple.com/support/keyboard-service-program-for-macbook-and-macbook-pro/

I'm in Italy. At an Apple reseller they scan my Mac, was entitled for the program, left it with me (I have to work), in 3 days the top case arrived and they changed also the battery. In 2 hours.



195 replies

Jul 17, 2019 12:20 AM in response to Powelski

The worst service I've ever had.


I bought the macbook in 2018 and still didn't find a way to fix the keyboard issue. I use the machine at work everyday and cannot effort more money to buy a new one.. And the issue is so annoying..


Ideally you should just replace the bad product with a new one for every customer. I think if Apple cares of customers it must be done.

Nov 5, 2018 8:47 AM in response to AnthoU

I have the same problem!!!


When the upper edge of the t keycap is pressed, the phenomenon of key repeating happens frequently. For example, "perfectt", "tthinking". t has the highest probability of repetition, and r sometimes repeats.


I bought a new machine in August 2018, I met this keyboard problem, then Apple changed a new machine to me and I encountered this problem again recently! That means two of my machine met this keyboard repetition problem.


The third version of butterfly keyboard does not improve at all! Please fix it.

Nov 14, 2018 8:18 AM in response to Anand Sai

I hope that you back up your data daily or keep it in the cloud. Also, I justt saw this 13-inch MacBook Pro (non Touch Bar) Solid-State Drive Service Program - Apple Support

Some early 2018 MBP have a problem that could cause you to lose data - Click the link above and enter your serial number to see if your machine is part of the repair program.


I would really love to know if others brought their computers in for the repeating keys issue, and if so, what were you told?

Nov 28, 2018 3:22 PM in response to AnthoU

Quick update here (that isn't someone without a MBP18 complaining about the product) to my original reply (Re: MacBook Pro 15" (2018) Keyboard "t" key repeating issue?):


I went ahead and attempted to request a refund, even though I was on day 16 with my refurb. Apple was extremely helpful with returning my unit even outside of the 14 day return period and even offered to extend the return period further while I waited for a replacement. I ended up getting a new version of the exact same SKU thanks to Cyber Monday deals and made out with a decent discount.


While waiting for my new unit, I continued to use the refurb with double-registering keys (esp. the 't' key). I felt that the frequency of double keys increased slightly over the week or so I continued to use it, but I can't say for sure that this was real or imagined.


But I am happy to report that the new unit does not (knock on wood!) have any double-keypress issues so far! I'd recommend anyone experiencing the issue to just go ahead and get a replacement or repair if possible. Despite the aforementioned class action lawsuits, and Apple's 4-year service program for 16/17 keyboards, the failure rate is obviously not 100%.

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MacBook Pro 15" (2018) Keyboard "t" key repeating issue?

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