Keyboard Service Program for MacBook and MacBook Pro

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Keyboard Service Program for MacBook and MacBook Pro
Information as of 2018-06-22

 
Apple has determined that a small percentage of the keyboards in certain MacBook 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 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.
Eligible Models

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 Pro (13–inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
* MacBook Pro (13–inch, 2017, 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)

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

Service Process
Please choose one of the options below for service. Your MacBook or MacBook Pro 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.

Read the full notice here

 
Techrepublic are reporting that this service program was the reaction to a class-action lawsuit.

2 users thanked author for this post.

Nathan Parker, OscarCP

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Thanks for bringing this up. My MacBook Pro is not in the list (until it is?), but those of other loungers here might be:

https://www.newsweek.com/apple-will-fix-faulty-macbook-keyboards-fueled-lawsuits-free-993617

This must be something that should speak to Noel Carboni, who attempted to fix a recent MacBook Pro belonging to his son that had developed a sticky key and wrote here of the ordeal he went through because, as I seem to recall, the machine was partly welded shut.

Which, in line with Appple’s guiding principle, made it look very cool.

Ex-Windows user (Win. 98, XP, 7); since mid-2017 using also macOS. Presently on Monterey 12.15 & sometimes running also Linux (Mint).

MacBook Pro circa mid-2015, 15" display, with 16GB 1600 GHz DDR3 RAM, 1 TB SSD, a Haswell architecture Intel CPU with 4 Cores and 8 Threads model i7-4870HQ @ 2.50GHz.
Intel Iris Pro GPU with Built-in Bus, VRAM 1.5 GB, Display 2880 x 1800 Retina, 24-Bit color.
macOS Monterey; browsers: Waterfox "Current", Vivaldi and (now and then) Chrome; security apps. Intego AV

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Apple’s solution going forward is to use a silicone membrane as the barrier against particulate ingress, they should really apply effort to redesigning the keyboard!

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What’s wrong with a silicone membrane? Used anywhere you need to prevent ingress.

cheers, Paul

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There must be a loan word from the German language to describe your possibly sarcastic question and statement.

Nothing is wrong with the membrane, however because of Steve Jobs effect on Apple company culture and the reciprocation by enablment of bad behavior (Apple can do no wrong fanboy culture) these kind of “it really isn’t a problem” acts will persist.

I know almost nothing of Tim Cook except Jobs was his mentor.

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Silicone membranes are used in many applications because they are simple, cheap and reliable. If I were a keyboard designer it would certainly be on my options list.

cheers, Paul

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Yes silicone is a wonder material, and it is very easy to keep clean.

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