2016 Macbook Pro Issue - High Pitched Keyboard Clicking Sound

[v4ndie]

I exchanged three 15" Macbook Pros with Touchbar. Each one with different keys not working. One of the machines actually had a key that didn't work right out the box. I had to hit it about ten times for it to respond. Then when it did start responding it registered twice giving me double letters. And after a tapped it really hard about 10 or 20 more times it started to function correctly. So when I returned the 3 rd MacBook I went in and told them I didn't want to leave until I warmed up the mac and tested out the key. After it got warmed only the number 8 and 9 keys had the nasty click. So I took it and figured I won't be using those keys as much and I better settle for that. It is really hard to SETTLE for anything when you pay that kind of money for a premium piece of engineering magnificence. For the first time in my life, I actually considered buying a PC. The thought of it still makes my stomach turn, though. Anyway I have had this MBP for around a month and the keys are clicking and it just sucks. I am debating on going back to the apple store and raising a stink and try to get a different machine. But if I do that I am running a huge risk getting a crappier keyboard then I already have. What is really crappy about all of this is the computer is beautiful. The display is beautiful and the touch bar is pretty awesome. I absolutely love this thing other than the keyboard. Will Apple roll out some sort of a program to make this right with all the customers? If so what do you guys think it will be?

 

[MrGuder]

I exchanged three 15" Macbook Pros with Touchbar. Each one with different keys not working. One of the machines actually had a key that didn't work right out the box. I had to hit it about ten times for it to respond. Then when it did start responding it registered twice giving me double letters. And after a tapped it really hard about 10 or 20 more times it started to function correctly. So when I returned the 3 rd MacBook I went in and told them I didn't want to leave until I warmed up the mac and tested out the key. After it got warmed only the number 8 and 9 keys had the nasty click. So I took it and figured I won't be using those keys as much and I better settle for that. It is really hard to SETTLE for anything when you pay that kind of money for a premium piece of engineering magnificence. For the first time in my life, I actually considered buying a PC. The thought of it still makes my stomach turn, though. Anyway I have had this MBP for around a month and the keys are clicking and it just sucks. I am debating on going back to the apple store and raising a stink and try to get a different machine. But if I do that I am running a huge risk getting a crappier keyboard then I already have. What is really crappy about all of this is the computer is beautiful. The display is beautiful and the touch bar is pretty awesome. I absolutely love this thing other than the keyboard. Will Apple roll out some sort of a program to make this right with all the customers? If so what do you guys think it will be?

Well they first have to admit there is an issue and until that happens Apple believes the keyboard is fine and acting as it should. Most likely if that ever happens it won't be until right before the new one is released in the fall.

 

[kidtronix]

Do they replace your machine for the high pitch sound? I am unfortunately in need of a new machine (I wish I could wait until the fall) and I am concerned that it'll have issues that they won't accept in terms of exchanging the machine for another.

 

[v4ndie]

Well they first have to admit there is an issue and until that happens Apple believes the keyboard is fine and acting as it should. Most likely if that ever happens it won't be until right before the new one is released in the fall.

Oh ok. You know how Everytime apple releases the new whatever it seems that someone is always suing them for something with their class action lawsuit. I was kind of figuring someone would do it for the keyboard issue then they would implement some kind of replacement program. Or am I Wong?
[doublepost=1488577049][/doublepost]

Do they replace your machine for the high pitch sound? I am unfortunately in need of a new machine (I wish I could wait until the fall) and I am concerned that it'll have issues that they won't accept in terms of exchanging the machine for another.

I will say Apple has amazing customer service. If you are within the 14 day return policy they will swap it out. And the cool part is the 14 days return policy is extended to that device you purchase. So say you buy a MacBook and return it on day 13 for another computer. You now how another 14 days for that device. Actually I returned one of my MacBook on day 19 I think it was and they swapped it out. They truly gave amazing customer service. I love Apple they are amazing at everything they do. I understand they keyboard is new technology and they need to work out the kinks. I just hope the people who were unlucky enough to get these flawed keyboard are taken care of as well.

 

[Dubadai]

One thing that I still cant wrap my heard around is that if I got 6 Macbooks in a row, different specifications and colors (not that it might matter) and yet all had the same issue, then the majority of Macbooks must have this issue?

It doesn't make sense that a majority of the people don't have this issue, and then there are people who get 5-13 of them in a row with the same issue. Either the people who don't have issues haven't noticed it yet, or they don't care, or they just don't notice it.

Statistically, doesn't it seem like this is an issue affecting all keyboards, just that some haven't noticed yet?

It just doesn't make sense to have some people get 5 in a row that are bad, if it isn't a widespread issue.

 

[v4ndie]

I don't think that it is some people don't have this issue. I Think it is related to heat. So the people that arent having this issue are the "light users". Anyone that hasnt really done much to get the computers working and warm. My keyboard is fine untill I start using apps that are demanding. And once it hits that level of heat it starts its thing. But I feel pretty confident that every keyboard has the capability of having all these issues.
[doublepost=1488625208][/doublepost]

One thing that I still cant wrap my heard around is that if I got 6 Macbooks in a row, different specifications and colors (not that it might matter) and yet all had the same issue, then the majority of Macbooks must have this issue?

It doesn't make sense that a majority of the people don't have this issue, and then there are people who get 5-13 of them in a row with the same issue. Either the people who don't have issues haven't noticed it yet, or they don't care, or they just don't notice it.

Statistically, doesn't it seem like this is an issue affecting all keyboards, just that some haven't noticed yet?

It just doesn't make sense to have some people get 5 in a row that are bad, if it isn't a widespread issue.

I don't think that it is some people don't have this issue. I Think it is related to heat. So the people that arent having this issue are the "light users". Anyone that hasnt really done much to get the computers working and warm. My keyboard is fine untill I start using apps that are demanding. And once it hits that level of heat it starts its thing. But I feel pretty confident that every keyboard has the capability of having all these issues.

 

[Dubadai]

I don't think that it is some people don't have this issue. I Think it is related to heat. So the people that arent having this issue are the "light users". Anyone that hasnt really done much to get the computers working and warm. My keyboard is fine untill I start using apps that are demanding. And once it hits that level of heat it starts its thing. But I feel pretty confident that every keyboard has the capability of having all these issues.

Which is exactly my point. This is extremely worrisome as it basically means that all Macbooks are faulty...

 

[javaa]

When the new version was released I sold my old 2011 13". Then I waited for the touch bar model to be released and after checking it out in the stores I decided to go with the non touch bar. Then the battery issue reports started to come out so I waited some more. I wanted that to be fixed. After waiting even more reports on keyboard issues started, so I waited some more.

I ended up ordering the ntb 13" i5/16/512 with swedish keyboard layout, not in stock anywhere in Sweden so newly built. Hopefully all would be fine. I got it yesterday night and first thing I noticed was that the space key was really loud. Maybe it should be. Some keys are a lot louder than others, keys close to enter are almost silent but Q, W are loud.

I havent heated it up to try high pitch clickling beacuse it is going back. I want to keep it as in good condition as possible. It is going back because the up and down keys are not regerstering clicks properly. As a developer it is a no brainer, I simply cant have it like that, they have to work and not just 85% of the clicks.

So back to waiting some more! This gotta be fixed, new batches still have keyboard issues.
Battery manufacture date is 2016-12-13
Laptop manufacture date is 2017-02-20

 

[v4ndie]

Hey guys. I would like to know what temperatures your computers are running at when this issue starts to happen. If anyone has istats or any other kind of system monitoring software and would like to share the info. Please post it here. https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/2016-macbook-pro-touchbar-keyboard-click-heat-test.2035475/
It would be nice to see the range at where this is happening. It would be nice to get Apples attention with this and ,aybe they might do something about this! Thanks.
[doublepost=1488628416][/doublepost]

When the new version was released I sold my old 2011 13". Then I waited for the touch bar model to be released and after checking it out in the stores I decided to go with the non touch bar. Then the battery issue reports started to come out so I waited some more. I wanted that to be fixed. After waiting even more reports on keyboard issues started, so I waited some more.

I ended up ordering the ntb 13" i5/16/512 with swedish keyboard layout, not in stock anywhere in Sweden so newly built. Hopefully all would be fine. I got it yesterday night and first thing I noticed was that the space key was really loud. Maybe it should be. Some keys are a lot louder than others, keys close to enter are almost silent but Q, W are loud.

I havent heated it up to try high pitch clickling beacuse it is going back. I want to keep it as in good condition as possible. It is going back because the up and down keys are not regerstering clicks properly. As a developer it is a no brainer, I simply cant have it like that, they have to work and not just 85% of the clicks.

So back to waiting some more! This gotta be fixed, new batches still have keyboard issues.
Battery manufacture date is 2016-12-13
Laptop manufacture date is 2017-02-20

View attachment 690910

hey javaa, I just started a thread for people to post a screenshot of there temperatures when the clicking in starting on there keyboard. Could you post that picture and the information there? Thanks https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/2016-macbook-pro-touchbar-keyboard-click-heat-test.2035475/

 

[ressac]

Some keys are a lot louder than others, keys close to enter are almost silent but Q, W are loud.

same as mine , also S and A are loud.

temperatures when the clicking in starting on there keyboard. Could you post that picture and the information there? Thanks

in my case it was completely cold, and i still can hear this clicking sound

 

[ManuCH]

One thing that I still cant wrap my heard around is that if I got 6 Macbooks in a row, different specifications and colors (not that it might matter) and yet all had the same issue, then the majority of Macbooks must have this issue?

It doesn't make sense that a majority of the people don't have this issue, and then there are people who get 5-13 of them in a row with the same issue. Either the people who don't have issues haven't noticed it yet, or they don't care, or they just don't notice it.

Statistically, doesn't it seem like this is an issue affecting all keyboards, just that some haven't noticed yet?

It just doesn't make sense to have some people get 5 in a row that are bad, if it isn't a widespread issue.

All MacBooks seem to have the issue. Most of them even when not warm. I could reproduce it on *all* display units at my local Apple Store.

I showed it to several friends. They shrugged and said "so what? I don't care what the keyboard sounds like". So it seems most people really don't care about the issue.

 

[Sanpete]

I showed it to several friends. They shrugged and said "so what? I don't care what the keyboard sounds like". So it seems most people really don't care about the issue.

Yup, people have different expectations and tolerances about such things.

 

[greyhouse]

As I did understand due to other threads this "issue" will resolve it self if you just use the keyboard.
That's what I could find when I did go trough some threads.

Nope. It might stop temporarily, but it will come back when your computer is at elevated heat levels.

[doublepost=1488674732][/doublepost]Some of the posts in this thread are so bizarre. There are clearly people posting who don't have this issue, maybe didn't even watch the numerous videos posted. But for some reason they appear to be offended that we are having problems, like this is some smear campaign against Apple. We simply want the computer to function as it should. I think this new machine is fantastic, except for the keyboard. It's jarring.
[doublepost=1488674917][/doublepost]

Yup, people have different expectations and tolerances about such things.

And also a less experienced / less technical user is probably more likely to accept this out of sheer ignorance of not knowing what normal is. Someone who has extensive experience using computers for 15+ years will know that this is the first computer they've ever owned that has exhibited such problems on the keyboard. I've probably owned 15-30 different keyboards in my lifetime and this is absolutely abnormal, even for a laptop. And I have a mechanical keyboard on my PC, so I have no issue with super loud keyboards.

 

[parajba]

And also a less experienced / less technical user is probably more likely to accept this out of sheer ignorance of not knowing what normal is. Someone who has extensive experience using computers for 15+ years will know that this is the first computer they've ever owned that has exhibited such problems on the keyboard. I've probably owned 15-30 different keyboards in my lifetime and this is absolutely abnormal, even for a laptop. And I have a mechanical keyboard on my PC, so I have no issue with super loud keyboards.

Same here. Took me 30 minutes to understand that the keyboard was seriously flawed and returned it straight away for a refund. Back to my 2010 MBP. At that time there weren't many threads on the topic, but I just followed my gut instinct. That keyboard didn't sound right at all. Like a tap dance. Even if I got a defective one (which could have been the case), my worry is that it felt really cheap and it would not withstand the test of time.

 

[armouring]

Well, this is my first post after reading over this thread for a while now and my worst fears are confirmed. I was hoping that I was one of a few, but it seems like I'm one of many.

My first one was purchased about two weeks ago with a few keys that would stick after warming up, but it was only maybe three or fours keys. I ended up returning that one today due to an unrelated issue (the display would randomly turn off and then the keys and Touch Bar also became unusable) and received the one I'm typing on now.

This one is even worse than the one I just replaced. This model is manufacture dated 1/25/17, and has a sticking tab, caps lock, shift, A, 6, 7, delete, and right shift key, among others intermittently.

I'm going to tough it out for now, but this is truly disappointing considering what we paid for a "premium" device.

Hoping Apple can make this right for all of us eventually.

 

[parajba]

Hoping Apple can make this right for all of us eventually.

Sorry about this.

...but don't 'hope', you have the power to make it right by returning and buying something else...

Apple got complacent in my opinion. How can they overlooked something so wildly spread and apparently common...?

 

[armouring]

Sorry about this.

...but don't 'hope', you have the power to make it right by returning and buying something else...

Apple got complacent in my opinion. How can they overlooked something so wildly spread and apparently common...?

I agree, but I'm just stuck right now. This is my first purchase since the 2010 configuration and I don't know if I can continue to keep swapping MBPs until I get one that works as it's supposed to. I would hate to go the Windows route, but it seems like I'm being driven that way!

They 100% got relaxed on QC and it shows now. I'm really hoping we see something akin to the screen coating repair program for these keyboards.

 

[rlsikosek]

Finally! I went back to the store I bought the MacBook. They gave me a brand new one! I tested the new machine for a long period of time, and it has just one key that sounds high pitched, the F. I think I must be happy with this one! Manufacture date: 12-12-2016.

 

[seeforyourself]

Well they first have to admit there is an issue and until that happens Apple believes the keyboard is fine and acting as it should. Most likely if that ever happens it won't be until right before the new one is released in the fall.

The Genius bar of Upper East Side (New York City) and Genius bar of Manhasset NY both were aware of the problem.. They actually said "oh yes, heres another one!". I can't wait till Tim Cooks says something!
[doublepost=1488742263][/doublepost]

Finally! I went back to the store I bought the MacBook. They gave me a brand new one! I tested the new machine for a long period of time, and it has just one key that sounds high pitched, the F. I think I must be happy with this one! Manufacture date: 12-12-2016.

You know its a problem when a customer is happy with only 1 defected key

 

[rlsikosek]

fffffffffff

The Genius bar of Upper East Side (New York City) and Genius bar of Manhasset NY both were aware of the problem.. They actually said "oh yes, heres another one!". I can't wait till Tim Cooks says something!
[doublepost=1488742263][/doublepost]

You know its a problem when a customer is happy with only 1 defected key

Ofcourse, you are right. But I think you agree with me that's better than a full row of keys with the problem.

 

[mataklap]

Had to return 3 macbook pro's to the store&replace because of broken keys. Now... the '3' key is doing exactly the same.

'3 33 3 33 3 33 33 3 3 33 3 3 3' Thats hitting the key 1 stroke. I seriously hope Apple will fix this soon & replace... unacceptable and I am beyond my 14 days exchange period on this machine.

 

[armouring]

Small update: just got back from the Apple Store and the tech was extremely understanding. The manager was blown away that another had been returned and he said they had seen this problem already and expects it to become a bigger issue than it is currently.

This replacement so far only has the caps lock key sticking, and minorly so, which gives me reason to think I'll keep this one. I guess I'll have to see if this one gets more sticking keys under load as it warms up, but so far so good.

I'll edit the post with the manufacture date once I get it set up. Here's to hoping the third time's a charm.

Edit: Manufacture date 12/18/16. This one is the worst so far, by far. I'm returning to another location to bring this one back. Keys that stick so far include: 7, 8, 9, 0, +/=, tab, caps lock, D, F, G, H, J, L, :/;, V, X, and Z.

 

[TripleMoxy]

Small update: just got back from the Apple Store and the tech was extremely understanding. The manager was blown away that another had been returned and he said they had seen this problem already and expects it to become a bigger issue than it is currently.

This replacement so far only has the caps lock key sticking, and minorly so, which gives me reason to think I'll keep this one. I guess I'll have to see if this one gets more sticking keys under load as it warms up, but so far so good.

I'll edit the post with the manufacture date once I get it set up. Here's to hoping the third time's a charm.

Edit: Manufacture date 12/18/16. This one is the worst so far, by far. I'm returning to another location to bring this one back. Keys that stick so far include: 7, 8, 9, 0, +/=, tab, caps lock, D, F, G, H, J, L, :/;, V, X, and Z.

Wow, that's bad. I'm sorry to hear that. It really is unbelievable that Apple has fallen so far.

I can't remember a release with such a fundamental problem, but I'm sure one of the many members will remind me.

At least with the tinted screen issue, some people complained of with previous models, you didn't seem to get the problem reoccurring over multiple returns.

 

[armouring]

All set now! Fourth one seems to be the perfect one. No sticking keys here thankfully. I've been using it for the entire evening and nothing has happened yet... fingers crossed. This one was manufacture dated 12/23/16.

Good luck to everyone else! Hopefully we can get Apple to recognize this sooner than later.

 

[parajba]

All set now! Fourth one seems to be the perfect one. No sticking keys here thankfully. I've been using it for the entire evening and nothing has happened yet... fingers crossed. This one was manufacture dated 12/23/16.

Good luck to everyone else! Hopefully we can get Apple to recognize this sooner than later.

Have the irregular metallic sound been fixed too? Do the keys sound and feel the same, just like on any ordinary keyboard?

This, in addition to the up/down arrows registering 1/3 of the clicks, was a big issue of mine.