2016 Macbook Pro Issue - High Pitched Keyboard Clicking Sound

[quasimoto]

Just wanna give an update. Purchased my Mac on March 4th and ran into the issues with a few keys becoming sticky and making the clicking noise. After learning about this thread, decided to return it and wait it out until Apple hopefully fixed this issue at the factory line. Fast forward to today, I really needed a new Mac so I bit the bullet and purchased another one today. Every key works perfect from the few hours of testing. No stickiness and consistent sound. Definitely found a keeper. Good luck to the rest of you.

• MacBook Pro 13" w/ TouchBar
• Manufacture Date: 02/27/2017

 

[TripleMoxy]

Just wanna give an update. Purchased my Mac on March 4th and ran into the issues with a few keys becoming sticky and making the clicking noise. After learning about this thread, decided to return it and wait it out until Apple hopefully fixed this issue at the factory line. Fast forward to today, I really needed a new Mac so I bit the bullet and purchased another one today. Every key works perfect from the few hours of testing. No stickiness and consistent sound. Definitely found a keeper. Good luck to the rest of you.

• MacBook Pro 13" w/ TouchBar
• Manufacture Date: 02/27/2017

Glad to hear that you got a good one, and thank you for letting us know.

If there are more reports like this, I'll consider re-ordering. Not a particularly scientific way to decide, but it's all all I've got to go off.

 

[pshifrin]

Yesterday was the return date for the most recent 15 2.7/512 stock model I purchased and .... I did NOT return it! Keyboard after 2 weeks is great. Manufacture date 1/23/17.

 

[aresimo]

I have the high pitched key issue too

Apple reseller repaired my MacBook and installed new top case with new keyboard, and the keyboard has issue too but on different key and just one key.... I wonder if it fix itself or not...

 

[emde]

My MacBook has been repaired and is scheduled to be delivered back to the Apple Store by tomorrow morning. Hopefully it is fixed. I will post my findings tomorrow.

So.... I picked the macbook up today. Overall the keyboard feels much more consistent and quieter. However, there is now ONE key (U) that is clicky sounding even when NOT warm. And to top it off, Apple damaged the underside of the laptop and put a dent in the aluminum! They also very slightly scratch the top of the screen near the camera. I spoke to the store manager about the damage and they wanted to send it back for more repairs, I can't be without this for 6 more days. She said I would have to call the main support line for any other options. Very disappointed in Apple at the moment!

 

[Sanpete]

So.... I picked the macbook up today. Overall the keyboard feels much more consistent and quieter. However, there is now ONE key (U) that is clicky sounding even when NOT warm. And to top it off, Apple damaged the underside of the laptop and put a dent in the aluminum! They also very slightly scratch the top of the screen near the camera. I spoke to the store manager about the damage and they wanted to send it back for more repairs, I can't be without this for 6 more days. She said I would have to call the main support line for any other options. Very disappointed in Apple at the moment!

What other options are you interested in? Take her advice and call about them. Maybe they'll ship one to you first, though you're probably outside the guidelines for that.

 

[emde]

What other options are you interested in? Take her advice and call about them. Maybe they'll ship one to you first, though you're probably outside the guidelines for that.

Yea, forgot to mention that I am contacting support now. I've done advanced replacements in the past with other vendors, hopefully they will do the same. This is very un-Apple like. Damaging a system while in for factory repairs is concerning.

 

[Acorn]

Yea, forgot to mention that I am contacting support now. I've done advanced replacements in the past with other vendors, hopefully they will do the same. This is very un-Apple like. Damaging a system while in for factory repairs is concerning.

I had my camera damaged while in for repair. so crap does happen. Then the ssd they replaced because of a failure died within two weeks of replacing it. This was on a 2012. I want a new macbook pro but i'm not paying that amount of money for such a shoddy keyboard. actually there is a few nice dells with no bezels that look decent. apple must be screwing up hard if im thinking of buying a dell.

 

[emde]

Yea, forgot to mention that I am contacting support now. I've done advanced replacements in the past with other vendors, hopefully they will do the same. This is very un-Apple like. Damaging a system while in for factory repairs is concerning.

Support put in a request to swap for a new/replacement system, so we will see what happens.

 

[Sanpete]

I want a new macbook pro but i'm not paying that amount of money for such a shoddy keyboard.

My keyboard's been great. Most are, from what I've read in this forum (not only this thread).

 

[emde]

After using the newly replaced keyboard more today, it is much better. Unfortunately I have one bad key that "clicks" loudly even when cool. Hopefully the advanced replacement goes through. Tough to be without this system for 5-6 due to work.

 

[Sanpete]

I'm not even sure they have normal one.

Yeah, as with the screens, which are always not exactly even in brightness and color, the new keyboards probably always have some lack of uniformity of sound. Some users are more sensitive to that than others.

 

[kwcwong]

Hi all!

I have been following this forum for quite some time and finally decided I should share with you my story so far with my Macbook Pro. I think you guys may be interested and may actually benefit from my experience and stupidity.

NOTE: this will be long.

So back in November I purchased a Macbook Pro 13" w/ TB (256 gb, no upgrades) and have had no problems with it for about a month. One day I decided to install Counter Strike Go to see how it would perform as I have been hearing that with my specs, it should be able to perform well. It did run smoothly, however it got extremely hot and I began noticing that my "o" key was making sticky sounds. It sounded as if i stuck a tape on something and ripped it off quickly, and it was most noticeable when i press the bottom left corner of that key while the machine is warm. I was planning on bringing it back Apple to get their opinion on it as this issue was relatively new, and the only site I have found with people having similar issues was on this forum. However this was at the end of December and i had to go on vacation and i needed my computer. I decided to give the macbook some time and thought maybe constant use would get rid of that issue. It did not, and i soon discovered the the "shift" key was having sensitivity issues. I brought it back to Apple immediately after coming back from vacation and the technicians were able to reproduce the problem. They said they would take the machine in for repair under warranty and it would take 3-5 days. About 6 days later they called back and said they broke the trackpad connector in the process and will replace the entire machine with a retail equivalent one. So i went to pick up the brand new one (with charger and everything) but fast forward 2 weeks later. The space bar began having the same sticky sound but much quieter and also while its cold. I contemplated for awhile if i should bring it back for repair but considering many of you on this forum have said that some have been unsuccessful after multiple replacements. It was only the space bar of all keys that had that quiet sticky sound so i decided i will hold on to this machine for awhile. Now here's where the stupidity begins.
I came home from school yesterday and decided i will try to pry out the keys to see what was under and maybe if i can determine the cause. I began with the "]" key, one that i dont use often. I discovered that to pop the small keys off, you need pop the top first, then pull diagonally upwards to slide off the hook at the bottom edge. I soon moved over to the space bar thinking it would be the same mechanism but never have i been so wrong. I tried popping the top corner of the space bar off and used a bit too much force and and heard a snap sound. ****. My heart sank, I was not able to push it back in no matter what way i pushed down. So instead of damaging it further, i brought it into apple this morning and have them have a look at it. I admitted that i attempted to pop off the key and was unsuccessful, I mean they will find out eventually when they take it apart to examine. They said they'll need to take in my Macbook for a few days to examine and maybe repair as they don't have the part in stock. They also said that if they had to repair that space bar, worst case scenario, they will need to replace the entire top case with battery, and that it will cost $558 Canadian dollars ($449 for parts and $109 for labor). This cost out of my pocket seems most likely as it seems that the space bar key it self is not only broken, but the tiny mechanisms at the bottom seem to have snapped as well.

So that's my story and my expensive screw up. I would suggest to any of you that's ever brave enough to pop off the keys, for smaller keys, pop off the top corners first as they are tiny clamps, then SLIDE diagonally upwards to unhook the C shape hook. If you want to remove large keys like the space bar, DO NOT, bring it in for them to examine, as these keys are delicate as **** and way too expensive to fix.

My question to you guys is will this damage, small, but expensive (for me), void my warranty? It was not a spill or any other damage that could have possibly affected any other parts of the computer, but it is a damage that's definitely not covered by warranty. And i worry that their fix may perhaps cause future problems that they will claim is not their fault as i have voided my warranty earlier.

I apologize for the lengthy post but i do believe many of you could benefit from my experience.

 

[Sanpete]

Hi all! ...

Sad story! Don't see why it would void your warranty, but you can ask them.

 

[ROSC00]

Hi all!

I have been following this forum for quite some time and finally decided I should share with you my story so far with my Macbook Pro. I think you guys may be interested and may actually benefit from my experience and stupidity.

NOTE: this will be long.

So back in November ...

Not at all stupid, just human nature to explore. you assumed a logic to this keyboard, the same as top brands out there, whether membrane or mechanical. You may have underestimated the idiosyncrasy of this Apple only design, which is proprietary, poor and not at all good.

For example, the key are flat and wider- I tried and tried, the typos are unimaginable. Being so wide and closely spaced, I click the wrong keys often.

They are loud, and irregularly pitched.

In the end, Apple is NOT a keyboard maker, and this first or second attempt at whatever 'butterfly' mechanism they call is simply atrocious. Abysmal. No better words to describe it.

Top it all, my 2015 MBP holds TWICE the battery life...

 

[Sanpete]

Top it all, my 2015 MBP holds TWICE the battery life...

You must have the 13" with touch bar.

Most people like the new keyboard, by the way!

 

[ROSC00]

no, I am comparing the 2015 vs 2016 without. Twice the life- I get 15hrs movies (6 playbacks) on the 1 yr old ref 2015, and 7 on the new MBP. With touchbar, some 5-6 hrs, same movie playback. As for 'most people' it is quite the anecdotal statement. Means nothing actually. The only thing we know is that it features disastrous keyboard in their history- and only one to dominate news with "Macbook keyboard issues." It is also THE MOST RETURNED Macbook in history, both by journalists and end users, with unprecedented Refurbished numbers...

Top it all, the numbers put it behind the prev gen in some tests, and behind every top end Windows system with similar specs yet priced 1000-1500$ less.

Returned the 2016 and am way better with the 2015 unit..

 

[Sanpete]

no, I am comparing the 2015 vs 2016 without. Twice the life. As for 'most people' it is quite the anecdotal statement. Means nothing actually. The only thing we know is that it is the most disastrous keyboard in their history- and only one to dominate news with "Macbook keyboard issues." It is also THE MOST RETURNED Macbook in history, with unprecedented Refurbished numbers...

Most people get excellent battery life with the 2016 13" without touch bar. Sorry yours is having very unusual trouble.

All the evidence taken together, including polls and posts here, strongly support the claim that most people like the new keyboard. Sorry it doesn't agree with you.

The new MBP broke records in initial sales, and since there are a lot of changes that some people don't like, there have no doubt been many returns. Whether what you say is true, who knows?

 

[ROSC00]

"Most" and "all the evidence", where from, do you have actual numbers? Has anyone released to you sales and returns? RMA figures? Just because a model is released in record new numbers, versus two generations ago, it does not prove a higher adoption or success rate. HOWEVER, "Macbook keyboard issues" gives 3,590,000 google hits, and unprecedented forum posts. "Most" or "all the evidence" are un-researched generalizations. You can add a few million variations with "macbook butterfly keyboard issues." These are numbers. Do you have any?

When you say 'keyboard,' those tech oriented think keyboard technology is, from cherry white to the new cherry silent.. membrane or not, actuation force etc. Only so you can acquire a perspective where Apple came from with its latest invention- which is pure Apple amateurism in this case, from butterfly 1 (what happened to it, was it not IT two years ago in Johnny Ive's Event video?) already replaced with Butterfly 2.

Do not own a 2016. The seven others I tested where assisting owners having issues, and recommended they return them, which they did. Actually, I have yet to see a SINGLE 2016 getting close to battery specs or 2015, but am sure you know the 2016 has a far smaller battery rigth, nor was it supposed to be the battery. The Mac division leaks tell us of a dropped stacked battery design, some R&D problem, and a hastily released smaller battery pack fitting in the narrower 2016 space. Instead of a compacted battery, they simply fitted an old Li Ion style smaller capacity one (25% less).

Am sure you knew that, and why 2015 machines get a longer battery life to begin with.

The second reason for poor battery life is the AMD GPU, swallowing power madly. Again, the Intel one on prev gen, not an issue.

 

[Deacon-Blues]

Is it possible that the problem has been corrected in more recent versions? I have a 15" MBP Touch built in mid January 2017 and the keys are all quiet.

 

[ROSC00]

Unlikely, or there would have been a recall, or at least leaked from factories implementing a new design. Some machines vary in pitch, which suggest the inevitable, that, like screens (some with issues), or NAND, they are all made by multiple manufacturers. It is impossible for one single manufacturer to make x million parts per week. Some batches maybe quieter and better made, but there is no long term reliability data to tell us if any of these actually last in real world conditions.

The new butterfly mechanism appears finicky and poorly made. In contrast, Cherry mechanical manufacturers have been perfecting their keys for decades. Millions of robot types per key model, in varying conditions and humidity, temperature etc. Odds of Apple inventing a better solution in two years- and replacing it already with a Butterfly 2, are below highly unlikely.

The previous membrane patents were not Apple's, they are licensed (e.g Razer Blade, Dell XPS, Lenovo, prev Gen Macbooks) and the chicklet membrane deserved its reputation as best in world. Apple further customized the Caps lock key to not register accidental touches. There are engineering designations, codes and patents for this widespread technology. Have had the USB Al body chiclet for 10 years now, no issues. Dragged Macbooks in the desert, no issues.

Butterfly 1 and 2 are recent, different beasts, attempting to hybridize mechanical and membrane properties with Apple patents, then mass-produce them. Does not seem to work, not consistently anyway, and not mass produced. if the mechanical bit gets stuck, it is game over. The claim that they are more 'precise' can be easily refuted by the forum posts on this issue. They are too close together, WIDER, FLATTER, increasing the odds of activating an adjacent key, hence the article at https://9to5mac.com/2017/02/21/macbook-pro-keyboard-problems/. I attempted a grad week's work on one, and it was unfeasible. Went back to PC (cherry brown) or the 2015 MBP (chicklet membrane) and mistakes dropped 90+%.

Safe bet, a Butterfly 3 is coming out..

 

[Sanpete]

"Most" and "all the evidence", where from, do you have actual numbers? Has anyone released to you sales and returns? RMA figures? Just because a model is released in record new numbers, versus two generations ago, it does not prove a higher adoption or success rate. HOWEVER, "Macbook keyboard issues" gives 3,590,000 google hits, and unprecedented forum posts. "Most" or "all the evidence" are un-researched generalizations. You can add a few million variations with "macbook butterfly keyboard issues." These are numbers. Do you have any?

Your only number is Google hits, compared to nothing, and you actually seem to think that gives you some kind of numeric supremacy. You should try applying the same standards to yourself that you apply to others.

All the evidence I've seen, including the next to none you give, taken together, strongly supports the view that most people like the new keyboard. Even at a site like this that draws people through searches to complain about things there are more who like it than who don't.

It's funny to see random people complain about Apple professional engineers being amateurs.

Professional reviews find the 2016 13" without touch bar to have excellent battery life, better than its predecessors. The accounts of those who own them here generally agree with that. Reviews and user reports also show the new 15" has better battery life than the 2015 for light to medium use. You can consult the Ars Technica and Notebook Check reviews.

And no, the AMD dGPU isn't power hungry.

Is it possible that the problem has been corrected in more recent versions? I have a 15" MBP Touch built in mid January 2017 and the keys are all quiet.

The problem depends primarily on how hard people type. Mine has been quiet since I got it in early December.

 

[parajba]

Your only number is Google hits, compared to nothing, and you actually seem to think that gives you some kind of numeric supremacy. You should try applying the same standards to yourself that you apply to others.

All the evidence I've seen, including the next to none you give, taken together, strongly supports the view that most people like the new keyboard. Even at a site like this that draws people through searches to complain about things there are more who like it than who don't.

It's funny to see random people complain about Apple professional engineers being amateurs.

Professional reviews find the 2016 13" without touch bar to have excellent battery life, better than its predecessors. The accounts of those who own them here generally agree with that. Reviews and user reports also show the new 15" has better battery life than the 2015 for light to medium use. You can consult the Ars Technica and Notebook Check reviews.

And no, the AMD dGPU isn't power hungry.



The problem depends primarily on how hard people type. Mine has been quiet since I got it in early December.

I beg to disagree. The one I returned (for a refund!) had a terrible keyboard in that every key made a different sound. Regardless of how I typed. Yes, if I put more pressure, the keys make a louder sound, but on a like-for-like basis, compared to my 2010 MBP it is considerably noisier.

It's not that I just started typing on laptops...have been doing it for some years

 

[ROSC00]

Your only number is Google hits, compared to nothing, and you actually seem to think that gives you some kind of numeric supremacy. You should try applying the same standards to yourself that you apply to others.

All the evidence I've seen, including the next to none you give, taken together, strongly supports the view that most people like the new keyboard. Even at a site like this that draws people through searches to complain about things there are more who like it than who don't.

It's funny to see random people complain about Apple professional engineers being amateurs.

Professional reviews find the 2016 13" without touch bar to have excellent battery life, better than its predecessors. The accounts of those who own them here generally agree with that. Reviews and user reports also show the new 15" has better battery life than the 2015 for light to medium use. You can consult the Ars Technica and Notebook Check reviews.

And no, the AMD dGPU isn't power hungry.

The problem depends primarily on how hard people type. Mine has been quiet since I got it in early December.

You are out to lunch about 'random' people. All the engineering issues described came as multiple-sourced Macbook Division insider leaks. Had you actually READ about any of this, you would be informed. No amateur sources, but insider sources. Tech gurus. Such as at https://www.technobuffalo.com/2016/12/20/apples-mac-division-problems/ and https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-12-20/how-apple-alienated-mac-loyalists

You also bypassed the issue of the MBP having a 25% smaller battery life. Now that is a real number you carefully omitted in your uncogent reply.

Is 7-9 hrs of movies on the new MBP without the touchbar excellent? NOOOO because it was advertised as similar to prev gen. I get 15 FIFTEEEN hours of playback when travelling or at home, on a 200 cycled 2015 MBP. No 2016 MBP came close to 80% of same figures. Had tested 7, the lowest figure I saw was 4 before the update, and close to 9 after 10.12.3. But, OK, vs a Dell XPS, 9 hrs movies is excellent....

Real numbers, real observations. The Apple coolaid only reaches so far, as the user above just replied to you. How many times before anyone ever return any Macbook for ANY keyboard issues?

We have insider sources, multiple user complaints and forums, significant evidence on an issue never before encountered, your invalid reply appears to be some indefensible defense of an actual phenomena.

 

[Sanpete]

I beg to disagree. The one I returned (for a refund!) had a terrible keyboard in that every key made a different sound. Regardless of how I typed. Yes, if I put more pressure, the keys make a louder sound, but on a like-for-like basis, compared to my 2010 MBP it is considerably noisier.

Can't tell what you're disagreeing with. If you use a soft touch on the new keyboard, it's quiet. It may not be as quiet as the 2010, but that doesn't mean it isn't quiet. It may be that the ones with extra-clicky keys are noisier.

You are out to lunch about 'random' people. All the engineering issues described came as multiple-sourced Macbook Division insider leaks. Had you actually READ about any of this, you would be informed. No amateur sources, but insider sources. Tech gurus. Such as at https://www.technobuffalo.com/2016/12/20/apples-mac-division-problems/ and https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-12-20/how-apple-alienated-mac-loyalists

You also bypassed the issue of the MBP having a 25% smaller battery life. Now that is a real number you carefully omitted in your uncogent reply.

Is 7-9 hrs of movies on the new MBP without the touchbar excellent? NOOOO because it was advertised as similar to prev gen. I get 15 FIFTEEEN hours of playback when travelling or at home, on a 200 cycled 2015 MBP. No 2016 MBP came close to 80% of same figures. Had tested 7, the lowest figure I saw was 4 before the update, and close to 9 after 10.12.3. But, OK, vs a Dell XPS, 9 hrs movies is excellent....

Real numbers, real observations. The Apple coolaid only reaches so far, as the user above just replied to you. How many times before anyone ever return any Macbook for ANY keyboard issues?

We have insider sources, multiple user complaints and forums, significant evidence on an issue never before encountered, your invalid reply appears to be some indefensible defense of an actual phenomena.

Which of your links says that Apple professional engineers are actually amateurs? Oh.

I didn't bypass anything. You're simply wrong, as I did in fact point out, about the battery life according to carefully controlled professional tests. Battery capacity and battery life aren't the same thing. I see you didn't check the professional reviews as I suggested, but are now giving numbers from some unknown source, you. Tests under controlled conditions show Apple's claims to be correct, and then some, and they show the 2015 13" without touch bar to get better battery life than the 2015. See the Notebook Check review, for example (near the end):

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Apple-...without-Touch-Bar-Laptop-Review.182374.0.html

As for the rest, you don't really say much.