How to fix sticky keys on macbook pro

Support Communities / Notebooks / MacBook Pro

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Question: Q:

A few months ago I spilled coffee on my macbook pro.I took it into to the Apple store and luckily no damage was done and the guy at the genius bar cleaned some of the keys for me.Everything worked fine until recently some of the keys have been a little sticky.Ive read that you're supposed to clean them with a little alcohol and a cotton swab...is this the best way to do this?If not what should I use to get rid of the stickiness?

Thanks

MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013), OS X Mavericks (10.9.3)

Posted on Aug 10, 2014 4:22 AM

Answer: A:

LUCKED OUT! Nice

Is it correct to assume the key is sticking in when you type?

How I solved mine is I popped the key out (small flat head on the LEFT side of the key should do it) and take the mechanism and cleaned it with alcohol.

Putting it back in is simple as well. Just hook the mechanism into the keyboard, and then put the key on top and push it in until it clicks.

There's a couple of good videos detailing this.

This is one I used

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh88cn_rtLo

Posted on Aug 10, 2014 6:37 AM

Aug 10, 2014 5:16 AM in response to Community User In response to Community User

Depends how good of a clean you want to do? I find alcohol swabs work great for me, or sometimes I just get a wipe and wet it with an alcohol based sanitiser. Make sure you shut down and unplug your Mac first though.

Hope this helped, Alex McGrath

Aug 10, 2014 5:16 AM

Aug 10, 2014 5:16 AM in response to Community User In response to Community User

Hope this helped, Alex McGrath

Aug 10, 2014 5:16 AM

Reply Helpful (1)

Aug 10, 2014 6:37 AM in response to Community User In response to Community User

LUCKED OUT! Nice

Is it correct to assume the key is sticking in when you type?

How I solved mine is I popped the key out (small flat head on the LEFT side of the key should do it) and take the mechanism and cleaned it with alcohol.

Putting it back in is simple as well. Just hook the mechanism into the keyboard, and then put the key on top and push it in until it clicks.

There's a couple of good videos detailing this.

This is one I used

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh88cn_rtLo

Aug 10, 2014 6:37 AM

Reply Helpful

Aug 10, 2014 10:58 AM in response to Heesleemer In response to Heesleemer

i Know this sounds crazy but it doesn't stick in at all it just sounds funny and feels a little different from the keys that aren't sticky.i know it's not really an issue but it is really annoying so I'd like to get them nice and clean. I'm kind if OCD that way haha!

Aug 10, 2014 10:58 AM

Reply Helpful

Aug 10, 2014 11:19 AM in response to Community User In response to Community User

Eitherway, taking the key out and cleaning should help.

Aug 10, 2014 11:19 AM

Reply Helpful

User profile for user: Community User

Question: Q: Cleaning sticky keys?

Apple has determined that a small percentage of the keyboards in certain MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro models may exhibit one or more of the following behaviors:

Letters or characters repeat unexpectedly
Letters or characters do not appear
Key(s) feel "sticky" or do not respond in a consistent manner

Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider will service eligible MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro keyboards, free of charge. The type of service will be determined after the keyboard is examined and may involve the replacement of one or more keys or the whole keyboard.

To identify your computer's model and to see if it is eligible for this program, choose Apple () menu > About This Mac. Eligible models are listed below.

MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015)
MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2016)
MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017)
MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018)
MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2019)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019)

Note: No other Mac notebook models are part of this program.

Please choose one of the options below for service. Your Mac notebook will be examined prior to any service to verify that it is eligible for this program.

The type of service will be determined after the keyboard is examined and may involve the replacement of one or more keys or the whole keyboard. The service turn-around time may vary depending upon the type of service and availability of replacement parts.

To prepare your unit for service, please backup your data.

Note: If your MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro has any damage which impairs the service, that issue will need to be repaired first. In some cases, there may be a cost associated with the repair.

This worldwide Apple program does not extend the standard warranty coverage of your Mac notebook.

If you believe your Mac notebook was affected by this issue, and you paid to have your keyboard repaired, you can contact Apple about a refund.

The program covers eligible MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro models for 4 years after the first retail sale of the unit.

Information as of 2019-07-09