2016 Macbook Pro Issue - High Pitched Keyboard Clicking Sound

[Sanpete]

I guess I'm just shy/upset I spent so much money on something with ticks that can only be reproduced when the damm thing warms up.

I thought your video was OK, could hear the difference. But as far as I know Apple doesn't have a keyboard sound spec, so even with a video it might be a hard sell.

Someone else broke a key trying to get it off too and took it in for repair. I don't know how that turned out. Anyway, you've already ordered a replacement.

 

[kwcwong]

Tried capturing a new video of the sound/activity on my 3 key and it completely stopped working. Was no movement to it at all, very bizarre. Wouldn't register any clicks. Thought I could take a deeper look and pop off the key cap with a needle, the desire to explore got the best of me. Should have listened to the warnings...Broke the damn thing. I wasn't even using force. Highly advise anyone reading not try to remove the key caps at home.

Ordered a replacement key from replacement laptop keys...maybe it will resolve my original issue.

I had the same issue and posted awhile back. I was suppose to pay $558 to replace the top case for damaging just the space bar myself but ended up not paying for anything at all. Warranty was not voided and everything was covered. All I told the genius was that the key was sticking and that I had attempted to open the machine and was unsuccessful, nothing more. I spoke to one of the genius on the phone to check up and they said that they did not bother popping off the key to see what damage has been done or what was the cause to the "sticking key", so I believe they did not find out that I had damaged the key myself. I think if you're lucky and if you tell them the right thing, you'll be able to get away with paying for any repairs if you bring it in to apple.

Also to add, depending what damage has been done, a replacement key may not fix the problem. When I broke my space bar, not only did the hooks on the space bar key snap, but some other mechanism at the bottom also broke.

 

[rawweb]

I thought your video was OK, could hear the difference. But as far as I know Apple doesn't have a keyboard sound spec, so even with a video it might be a hard sell.

Someone else broke a key trying to get it off too and took it in for repair. I don't know how that turned out. Anyway, you've already ordered a replacement.

I might just end up living with it, I don't know. It's been a great machine, otherwise. Thankfully, except for Tab, I don't use the other keys too frequently. I feel bad for the others that have it on more commonly used keys. It can get very annoying. I do have another video just before I broke the cap I'm just not sure it will add much value uploading it. Thanks for noticing from the original though!

Really though, no idea what caused my 3 to completely give out...I'm one of those crazy meticulous guys that doesn't eat near a computer and washes hands before each use to preserve my keys not getting that oily look If a blemish appears, I take it personally!

I had the same issue and posted awhile back. I was suppose to pay $558 to replace the top case for damaging just the space bar myself but ended up not paying for anything at all. Warranty was not voided and everything was covered. All I told the genius was that the key was sticking and that I had attempted to open the machine and was unsuccessful, nothing more. I spoke to one of the genius on the phone to check up and they said that they did not bother popping off the key to see what damage has been done or what was the cause to the "sticking key", so I believe they did not find out that I had damaged the key myself. I think if you're lucky and if you tell them the right thing, you'll be able to get away with paying for any repairs if you bring it in to apple.

Also to add, depending what damage has been done, a replacement key may not fix the problem. When I broke my space bar, not only did the hooks on the space bar key snap, but some other mechanism at the bottom also broke.

I'm glad it worked out for you, but I'm just not into that. As a former Genius myself I just saw too much to try and pull that kinda stuff on the staff. The replacement key only put me out a few bucks, if the problem persists after I fix my mistake, I'll definitely throw it at them. Thankfully I didn't break anything other than the top clip on the key. Since it wouldn't click back on I played with it a little and snapped the key cap in two pieces. Let me tell you...these caps are incredibly thin. Very easy to permanently damage. I wouldn't advise anyone play with these things at all. The replacement key includes a new hinge, so I can also monkey with that if I need be. Space bar is a different animal. Sorry you had to experience that.

Did your replacement meet your standards?

 

[Hellven]

I might just end up living with it, I don't know. It's been a great machine, otherwise. Thankfully, except for Tab, I don't use the other keys too frequently. I feel bad for the others that have it on more commonly used keys. It can get very annoying. I do have another video just before I broke the cap I'm just not sure it will add much value uploading it. Thanks for noticing from the original though!

Really though, no idea what caused my 3 to completely give out...I'm one of those crazy meticulous guys that doesn't eat near a computer and washes hands before each use to preserve my keys not getting that oily look If a blemish appears, I take it personally!




I'm glad it worked out for you, but I'm just not into that. As a former Genius myself I just saw too much to try and pull that kinda stuff on the staff. The replacement key only put me out a few bucks, if the problem persists after I fix my mistake, I'll definitely throw it at them. Thankfully I didn't break anything other than the top clip on the key. Since it wouldn't click back on I played with it a little and snapped the key cap in two pieces. Let me tell you...these caps are incredibly thin. Very easy to permanently damage. I wouldn't advise anyone play with these things at all. The replacement key includes a new hinge, so I can also monkey with that if I need be. Space bar is a different animal. Sorry you had to experience that.

Did your replacement meet your standards?

I don't understand why the customer have to hold the defective machine, and endure its defect.
Apple need to fix this. It's not the responsibility of customers, but the company.

 

[rawweb]

I don't understand why the customer have to hold the defective machine, and endure its defect.
Apple need to fix this. It's not the responsibility of customers, but the company.

That's a fair point. As long as my replacement key arrives in time, I'll keep my appointment and take it in for a second opinion.

 

[small.zack]

That's a fair point. As long as my replacement key arrives in time, I'll keep my appointment and take it in for a second opinion.

Absolutely, I completely agree, I definitely plan to share the link to this forum with the advisor when my call is scheduled.

 

[Bosseh]

I got the topcase (keyboard+battery) replaced on my MBP 15" TB after my C,V,B,N keys were giving the high pitched noise. Unfortunately the new keyboard has one faulty key (W) that begins to sound louder than others when the MBP starts to heat up. It has been two months since the repair now, but I've now booked a Genius Bar meeting to try to get my keyboard replaced for the second time. The questions are: I might get even more disfunctional keys on the next one, so is it worth replacing the keyboard or should I wait until I really know that Apple has finally solved the problem for real? Should I keep on getting the keyboard replaced until it has been solved / until I've been given the next generation MBP?

 

[Sanpete]

I got the topcase (keyboard+battery) replaced on my MBP 15" TB after my C,V,B,N keys were giving the high pitched noise. Unfortunately the new keyboard has one faulty key (W) that begins to sound louder than others when the MBP starts to heat up. It has been two months since the repair now, but I've now booked a Genius Bar meeting to try to get my keyboard replaced for the second time. The questions are: I might get even more disfunctional keys on the next one, so is it worth replacing the keyboard or should I wait until I really know that Apple has finally solved the problem for real? Should I keep on getting the keyboard replaced until it has been solved / until I've been given the next generation MBP?

How long had you had your MBP when you got the first repair? If it was over two weeks, that would indicate they do offer repairs for how keys sound. If it was under two weeks, it may have been in lieu of a return. If the latter, they may not offer a repair after two months.

 

[Hellven]

How long had you had your MBP when you got the first repair? If it was over two weeks, that would indicate they do offer repairs for how keys sound. If it was under two weeks, it may have been in lieu of a return. If the latter, they may not offer a repair after two months.

We haven't done in other thread, but I just want to say one thing lastly.

"I wonder how customers will react after 1 year of warranty about this issue."

If Apple doesn't fix and doesn't have a clear answer or response about this issue, this issue will be a huge disaster for the customers end of this year. Think about it. I'm might overreacting about this, but there is possibility, just like "Staingate."

 

[Sanpete]

We haven't done in other thread, but I just want to say one thing lastly.

"I wonder how customers will react after 1 year of warranty about this issue."

If Apple doesn't fix and doesn't have a clear answer or response about this issue, this issue will be a huge disaster for the customers end of this year. Think about it. I'm might overreacting about this, but there is possibility, just like "Staingate."

Sure, a huge disaster for those for whom a key making a different clicking sound is a huge disaster. My point has been that if you're talking only about the way the keys click, Apple probably has no spec for that, so they may not treat it as a warranty issue, now or in a year.

As others have said, this is something that bothers some people more than others. Probably not quite like staingate in that regard, as almost everyone cares about marks on their screens.

 

[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.

So after a few phone calls, Apple has agreed to do an advance replacement on my MBP. They will be sending a new machine with the same specs to me at which time I will send the old one back. This requires a credit card and they will place a hold for the amount until they receive the old one.

When I originally sent my MBP in, it was returned with damages to the screen as well as a bent underside. The topcase that was replaced worked well for a few days but then, slowly, keys started to "click" loudly. This is a design issue that hopefully is fixed with the new builds. I will run a rigorous test with the replacement MBP and let everyone know how things go.

As a reminder, the OP gave instructions on how to get the system to heat up by pegging the CPU in Terminal using this command. You can add a few more "& yes > /dev/null" to peg each core, this will heat things up more quickly.

yes > /dev/null & yes > /dev/null & yes > /dev/null & yes > /dev/null & yes > /dev/null & yes > /dev/null

 

[Bosseh]

How long had you had your MBP when you got the first repair? If it was over two weeks, that would indicate they do offer repairs for how keys sound. If it was under two weeks, it may have been in lieu of a return. If the latter, they may not offer a repair after two months.

The first repair was done a fews days after I bought it. I had actually difficulties getting it "repaired" at my local Apple Authorized Service Provider because I was first told that the high-pitched sound wasn't a real issue. I however called AppleCare and was told my a nice gentleman that the high-pitched click sound isn't something a customer should expect from them, so he told me to go back and force my local service provider to repair the keyboard. This time I've booked the Genius Bar meeting at Apple because I didn't get any nice experience from my local place. Since this is an hardware issue, why would Apple refuse to repair my MBP?

 

[Sanpete]

Since this is an hardware issue, why would Apple refuse to repair my MBP?

It depends on whether Apple regards it as out of specs, or not expected behavior, as they might put it. Let us know how it turns out.

 

[Hellven]

Sure, a huge disaster for those for whom a key making a different clicking sound is a huge disaster. My point has been that if you're talking only about the way the keys click, Apple probably has no spec for that, so they may not treat it as a warranty issue, now or in a year.

As others have said, this is something that bothers some people more than others. Probably not quite like staingate in that regard, as almost everyone cares about marks on their screens.

This is still a same defect that customer shouldn't experience.
After out of warranty, when the customers have to use this machine with that keyboard sound, it's not what customers paid for.
[doublepost=1491352243][/doublepost]

The first repair was done a fews days after I bought it. I had actually difficulties getting it "repaired" at my local Apple Authorized Service Provider because I was first told that the high-pitched sound wasn't a real issue. I however called AppleCare and was told my a nice gentleman that the high-pitched click sound isn't something a customer should expect from them, so he told me to go back and force my local service provider to repair the keyboard. This time I've booked the Genius Bar meeting at Apple because I didn't get any nice experience from my local place. Since this is an hardware issue, why would Apple refuse to repair my MBP?

I exactly heard same thing. The they didn't give me an answer why this is still happening and what the reason is.

 

[tomwilson]

I got my 15" back with its new top case / battery / keyboard replacement (old keyboard had loud O J and L and sometimes Y keys when warm)

This keyboard is probably better than the one it had before

1) key feel is way more uniform
2) sound is way more uniform.. it used to sound significantly more 'hollow' in the middle. It is still there but way, way less

However..

- The 2 key has the loud click sound when warm. Not all the time, and at least this isn't a home row key, but still slightly annoying. I could totally deal with this

- The bloody SPACEBAR has an ever so slightly weird clicky/mushy sound. It's driving me bananas. Its not obnoxiously loud like the other loud click noise is but it's still triggering me.

Gonna let it go a couple of weeks and see if I get over it OR if it ever gets confirmed that they have finally figured out how to make these keyboards reliably . Sadness.

 

[rawweb]

I got my 15" back with its new top case / battery / keyboard replacement (old keyboard had loud O J and L and sometimes Y keys when warm)

This keyboard is probably better than the one it had before

1) key feel is way more uniform
2) sound is way more uniform.. it used to sound significantly more 'hollow' in the middle. It is still there but way, way less

However..

- The 2 key has the loud click sound when warm. Not all the time, and at least this isn't a home row key, but still slightly annoying. I could totally deal with this

- The bloody SPACEBAR has an ever so slightly weird clicky/mushy sound. It's driving me bananas. Its not obnoxiously loud like the other loud click noise is but it's still triggering me.

Gonna let it go a couple of weeks and see if I get over it OR if it ever gets confirmed that they have finally figured out how to make these keyboards reliably . Sadness.

Sorry to hear you're still experiencing less than perfect results!

 

[rawweb]

UPDATE from Monday: My "3" key replacement arrived today. Swapped the butterfly hinge for the new one and installed the cap and it's working great! Heated the machine up during a video encode and was unable to reproduce the sticking or abnormal clicking sound. Hoping this continues as I'm problem free!

 

[sneak3]

Does that mean BTO machines are probably currently being shipped with the new key mechanism designs? No more weird noises finally?

 

[MrGuder]

Does that mean BTO machines are probably currently being shipped with the new key mechanism designs? No more weird noises finally?

Where did you here Apple designed a new key mechanism? I didn't get the Apple memo.

 

[small.zack]

Where did you here Apple designed a new key mechanism? I didn't get the Apple memo.

I did not hear that either

 

[Hellven]

My 3rd Macbook Pro has same issue on few number keys...
...Returning, and Waiting again...
[doublepost=1491482349][/doublepost]

Does that mean BTO machines are probably currently being shipped with the new key mechanism designs? No more weird noises finally?

I did not hear that either
[doublepost=1491482382][/doublepost]

UPDATE from Monday: My "3" key replacement arrived today. Swapped the butterfly hinge for the new one and installed the cap and it's working great! Heated the machine up during a video encode and was unable to reproduce the sticking or abnormal clicking sound. Hoping this continues as I'm problem free!

I hope this time will be fine...
[doublepost=1491482776][/doublepost]Just say that.. threads relating with this issue can be found every pages in a MacBook Pro discussion forum..

 

[sneak3]

Just read the guys post:

UPDATE from Monday: My "3" key replacement arrived today. Swapped the butterfly hinge for the new one and installed the cap and it's working great! Heated the machine up during a video encode and was unable to reproduce the sticking or abnormal clicking sound. Hoping this continues as I'm problem free!

If they are sending new hinges to customers with the problem, it is logical to assume they will be updating all their units in production from that point on.

 

[MrGuder]

Just read the guys post:



If they are sending new hinges to customers with the problem, it is logical to assume they will be updating all their units in production from that point on.

I don't think you read his post correctly Apple didn't provide him with a replacement key, he ordered it from a 3rd party seller as he said he ordered it from replacement laptop keys. See how rumors get started? Ha

 

[emde]

So after a few phone calls, Apple has agreed to do an advance replacement on my MBP. They will be sending a new machine with the same specs to me at which time I will send the old one back. This requires a credit card and they will place a hold for the amount until they receive the old one.

When I originally sent my MBP in, it was returned with damages to the screen as well as a bent underside. The topcase that was replaced worked well for a few days but then, slowly, keys started to "click" loudly. This is a design issue that hopefully is fixed with the new builds. I will run a rigorous test with the replacement MBP and let everyone know how things go.

As a reminder, the OP gave instructions on how to get the system to heat up by pegging the CPU in Terminal using this command. You can add a few more "& yes > /dev/null" to peg each core, this will heat things up more quickly.

yes > /dev/null & yes > /dev/null & yes > /dev/null & yes > /dev/null & yes > /dev/null & yes > /dev/null

Just got a notification from FedEx that my new MBP is scheduled to be delivered Tuesday. I'll immediately run tests and report back with my findings!

 

[small.zack]

GOOD NEWS! The representative from Apple called me back today as promised...He said that the engineering team IS aware of this issue and they offered me a fix for the keys affected, he is in the process of calling the Apple Store nearest me to see if they are able to perform the fix in store and if not, it will have to be sent out again. Finally glad I'm getting some help with this.