Fixed: Sticky Keys on MacBook (3 Easy Ways)

Here in this article we will discuss about how to Fix Sticky Keys on MacBook. On your MacBook, you push a key, but nothing happens. When you press a different key, that letter is entered twice. A third key appears to be stuck. This is a widespread issue with a specific model of Apple keyboard, so you’re not alone. Your pals might not be able to relate to your problems if they recently purchased a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro.

Apple updated the keyboards and key mechanics on their most recent computers, including the M1 MacBook Pro, M1 MacBook Air, and future models, after a protracted use of the infamous butterfly keys. It still happens when you press a key and it feels stuck, doesn’t type, or is otherwise unresponsive, despite the fact that these keys are much less prone to jam and become stuck than the previous butterfly keys.

The sticky key syndrome occurs when dirt, food particles, or other debris adhere to the key and make it difficult to depress. It interferes with your work and isn’t very pleasant. You can clean it yourself rather than getting it fixed. And even though Apple mostly rectified the issue and moved on, it still makes news occasionally, so many of us still aren’t over it. We mentioned below are the steps to fix Sticky Keys on MacBook.

Using Compressed Air

Another somewhat simple technique is to use compressed air to clear out any debris, dust, or crumbs from your keyboard’s sticky keys.

1. Turn off your MacBook completely.
   • Click on the Apple icon in the top-left corner of the screen.
   • Choose Shut Down.
   • A charger should not be plugged into your MacBook.
2. Clean the area surrounding the keycap of any noticeable dirt particles with a toothpick.
3. Squeeze some rubbing alcohol onto a cotton swab.
   • Check to make sure no liquid is pouring from it.
   • Never use water on your MacBook directly because it could harm the circuitry.
4. Wipe the key’s surrounding area with the cotton swab.
   • This will assist in clearing away any accumulated grime, dirt, or sticky residue.
   • It should be noted that using rubbing alcohol to clean the top of keycaps risked destroying any protective coating that had been placed.
5. Check the keys.

Removing the Keycaps

You might need to wipe under the keycaps themselves if washing the area surrounding the surface of the keys is ineffective at removing the sticky keys. However, continue with caution because removing keys from a MacBook might very easily result in the key mechanism breaking. In particular, later MacBook Pro models with butterfly key switches are infamous for being delicate and simple to break.

The scissor-switch mechanism used by earlier MacBook models is a little more durable but still needs to be used carefully. In either case, think about your level of expertise before moving on. Read through each step thoroughly before beginning, and if you don’t feel comfortable following them, consider asking a friend to assist you.

1. Turn off your MacBook entirely.
2. Click on the Apple icon in the top-left corner of the screen.
   • Choose Shut Down.
   • A charger should not be plugged into your MacBook.
3. Determine the kind of keyboard you use.
4. Scissor switches and butterfly switches are the two varieties.
   • Scissor switches are raised from the bottom, whereas butterfly switches are raised from the top.
   • On this 2014 MacBook Air, the switches are lifted from the bottom as seen in this YouTube video.
   • While this YouTube video demonstrates how the keycaps on MacBook Pro models from 2016 to 2018 rise from the top.
5. Lift one important corner with the spudger tool.
   • With the spudger tool, pry under one corner, then lift gradually until you hear a click.
   • Remove your spudger tool only now.
   • Lift from the upper left or right corner if you have butterfly key switches. Lift from the bottom left or right corner if your switches are scissor key switches.
   • Note that the hooks on special keys like the Shift and arrow keys are slightly different in location. For further information, see the videos in step 2.
6. Gently remove the keycap’s hook.
   • Don’t lift the key higher when doing this. Stop if you encounter any opposition.
   • In order to find the hooks, get near to the key and examine underneath.
   • Find the key’s attachment point by gently wriggling it.
7. Put the keycaps in a container filled with soapy water.
   • While you wipe the keyboard, let the keycaps soak.
8. Wipe the keycap’s base clean.
   • Rubbish-soaked cotton swabs should be used to clean the region below the keycap.
   • Make sure there is no liquid spilling from the cotton switch.
   • Avoiding the need to repeat the procedure later is made easier by cleaning the surface several times using clean cotton swabs.
9. Soak the keycaps in water to clean them.
   • Gently clean the keycap with soapy water and a cotton swab.
   • To completely dry the keycap, use a paper towel.
10. Switch out the keycap.
    • Reverse the procedure you used to remove the keycap.
    • The keycap should first be inserted into the hooks.
    • The remaining corners should then be lightly pressed. Once they are in position, you will hear a click.
    • Start over with the hooks if you think it’s not working because you shouldn’t have to force it on.
    • Replacing keys like the letters H and I requires caution because they do have the correct up/down orientation. To find the hooks, look underneath the cap.
11. Check the keys.
    • Your cleaning efforts ought to have resolved the issue if the crud, dust, or spilled liquid was the cause.

Cleaning the Surface

Start by using a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol to clean the area around each damaged key if you want to learn the easiest way to clean a sticky keyboard. Your sticky keyboard issue might be resolved most quickly and easily by cleaning up any surface-level crumbs or dirt.

1. Turn off your MacBook completely.
   • Click on the Apple icon in the top-left corner of the screen.
   • Choose Shut Down.
   • A charger should not be plugged into your MacBook.
2. Clean the area surrounding the keycap of any noticeable dirt particles with a toothpick.
3. Squeeze some rubbing alcohol onto a cotton swab.
   • Check to make sure no liquid is pouring from it.
   • Never use water on your MacBook directly because it could harm the circuitry.
4. Wipe the key’s surrounding area with the cotton swab.
   • This will assist in clearing away any accumulated grime, dirt, or sticky residue.
   • It should be noted that using rubbing alcohol to clean the top of keycaps risked destroying any protective coating that had been placed.
5. Check the keys.
   • Continue to the following option if they are still sticky.

What Are Sticky Keys?

There is a good probability that you have spilled something on your keyboard if you have ever eaten something at your work or drank coffee next to your laptop. Even if you immediately wipe it off, your keys can still have a sticky coating. If your keys feel crunchy or spongy when you press down on them, making it difficult to type smoothly, this is what has happened. If you want to know more information about this Visit Official MacBook Support site.