2016 Macbook Pro Issue - High Pitched Keyboard Clicking Sound

[turbineseaplane]

True, and at risk of being labelled what I am not, at risk of queuing a beaten thing, I will just say that Apple has lost that one person who would really, truly fuss over an aesthetic sensibility that transcends the visual and embraces and engages all other senses. They just did not care how it sounds, at all, and that compromise shows, users are angry because the keyboard sounded better to them before than it does now.

They love Apple and how it cared for the sensory experiences that defined as well as differentiated the company and created that brand loved and coveted by everybody, and are unhappy about how it has deteriorated into not caring for some key aspects that originally drew the crowds to them. It was never just visual, it was experiential, and that, frankly, has been on a slow decline.

Great post..

And think how odd this whole point is considering this same company just announced a home speaker/assistant product where the big sales pitch and differentiator is - "sound quality"

Some people may love how the new butterfly keyboards feel, but I hear almost nobody arguing that the sound is good/quiet/great, etc - It is a miss on that point and it is unfortunate for sure.

Even at low volumes, it simply makes an "unpleasant" sound

 

[emde]

But why would you argue there are adjustments in the design when A: Apple never said anything, B: All teardowns confirm it is the exact same keyboard?

I'm sorry if you felt I was aggressive. But all this talk seems to derive from a misunderstanding about the rMB's getting a revision 2 keyboard, and wishful rumours. All the evidence points to there being no change, and arguing chemical make-up or other metallurgical differences is just getting into the realms of conspiracy theory and is just nonsense. Plenty of people have said there is no change, and any observed change is easily dismissed as objective/individual.

Not sure if you were referring to my original post regarding the gen 2 pics yesterday, it was late and I was simply passing along some information that there could possibly be a redesign with some pics I found. Upon further reading I was mistaken.

In any case, I just got an approval for an advance/express replacement for a 2017 model. I've been dealing with this issue since December 2016, it's nutty. I'm not tearing apart my new keyboard to see if there are any differences but I will definitely post my review of the keyboard feel and sound.

BTW, if you haven't seen this video, it CLEARLY shows where this "pop" sound is coming from...

 

[aevan]

Great post..

Even at low volumes, it simply makes an "unpleasant" sound

To each their own. I really like the sound the new keyboard makes.

 

[New_Mac_Smell]

To each their own. I really like the sound the new keyboard makes.

Yes it sounds like a keyboard to me, it's not like there's a whoopee cushion under each key or anything. It just sounds like keys being pressed, and if I strike it harder it sounds like keys being struck harder. Not sure how people would like it to sound, but there's only so much you can do with a physical mechanical structure. Noting actual faults and popping is one thing, but suggesting even when working correctly it still produces an unpleasant sound is just searching for problems.
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Not sure if you were referring to my original post regarding the gen 2 pics yesterday, it was late and I was simply passing along some information that there could possibly be a redesign with some pics I found. Upon further reading I was mistaken.

In any case, I just got an approval for an advance/express replacement for a 2017 model. I've been dealing with this issue since December 2016, it's nutty. I'm not tearing apart my new keyboard to see if there are any differences but I will definitely post my review of the keyboard feel and sound.

BTW, if you haven't seen this video, it CLEARLY shows where this "pop" sound is coming from...

Yes the 'pop' comes from the contact switch beneath the keys. What I am trying to determine is why some do this but others not, and why sometimes it goes away. Having a larger structure to strike this should alleviate the problem, but does not explain it. Heat could be a factor, although this would mean keys above the CPU are more prevalent to the problem, and so far it seems entirely random. As it's metal it's highly unlikely to be through wear. And I think it's more indicative of the concave contact heating up which is causing it to buckle slightly, think of those 'snap' bracelets for an idea of that. I'm also trying to understand why cleaning my keyboard has corrected this problem, which again could be just due to heat; and using compressed air cools it enough to eliminate the issue. But I would like to see more examples to rule out other possible causes.

And all of this is purely because a lot of people are having to go through endless returns to find a unit they are happy with. When it's possible it could be a simple fix at a GB to correct, and save people a lot of hassle. There's also the concern that if the actual cause isn't identified, this issue could present itself at a later date.

If we can just find out that there is a manufacturing difference between keyboards, and that the former is more prone to the issue. Then we can say yes, get it replaced to a different one. Otherwise everyone with the former keyboard is at risk of this developing after the warranty ends, which creates far more issues. If we can gather some kind of evidence it just helps everyone out, there's far too many variables within judging something by the 'feel' to make it anything more than anecdotal and circumstantial evidence; and none of us can go to Apple in 2 years time and say that your keyboard 'feels' different. But we can go in 2 years time and say your keyboard suffers a manufacturing issue that was only present on 2016 models and was eliminated in 2017.

 

[nph]

So I tried the keyboard on my 2017 (15" base) and trying with the method in the video above, every key makes a small sound when the key is released. But it is consistent and it does't bother me since there is a nice feeling to it that far surpassed my expectation after using it for a few days. But i do wish the overall sound was a bit lower...

 

[turbineseaplane]

Not sure if you were referring to my original post regarding the gen 2 pics yesterday, it was late and I was simply passing along some information that there could possibly be a redesign with some pics I found. Upon further reading I was mistaken.

In any case, I just got an approval for an advance/express replacement for a 2017 model. I've been dealing with this issue since December 2016, it's nutty. I'm not tearing apart my new keyboard to see if there are any differences but I will definitely post my review of the keyboard feel and sound.

BTW, if you haven't seen this video, it CLEARLY shows where this "pop" sound is coming from...

That's a great video…
Honestly the more I see these videos the more I think these butterfly keys are just super finicky and just not a long-term reliable and consistent design to be using.

To me the really troubling part is that we know how stubborn Apple is and this is probably not going to result in something like the Mac Pro doubling back on the design decision and it really feels like a matter of waiting out the period of multiple years where we look back on the this as sort of a "Lemon keyboard era".

(Lemon is a bit harsh but I can't think of another description at the moment)

Given how this has gone so far I am pretty confident they will make a dramatic change to this but just not until late 2018 or into 2019 when they decide it's time for another design change.

I'm still super frustrated and annoyed they didn't get the magic keyboard in there with its completely reliable and known quantity scissors switches that work sensationally, feel great and sound wonderful.

 

[maroulis]

I just had my 2016 MBP 13 w/out touchbar keyboard replaced for the high pitching sound. Very weird as we've have deployed MacBooks throughout my company and have honestly never had to send one for repair. In any case, it came back in 3 days and the report shows they replaced the entire top case/keyboard+battery. I think that it feels slightly better than the previous version, but I can't for 100% tell if it's different as the one rumored on 2017 refresh.

 

[medee88]

So I tried the keyboard on my 2017 (15" base) and trying with the method in the video above, every key makes a small sound when the key is released. But it is consistent and it does't bother me since there is a nice feeling to it that far surpassed my expectation after using it for a few days. But i do wish the overall sound was a bit lower...

That's great to hear the keyboard sounds consistent on your 2017!

I just got a new 2016 MacBook Pro/2.7/512GB/455 (Ordered from B&H, arrived yesterday) and mine had the same issue as posted in this thread (video of sound here: https://twitter.com/drjmjones/status/877999534328041472). Worse when hot as well!

Went to the Apple Store and was told NO ONE has had this issue before and it's very unusual. Thanks for having this gigantic thread. Sadly they didn't really have any fix for it at this particular store and they recommended sending it back, or depot repair. Apple Support told me to do an SMC reset, and had to tell them the differences between hardware and software.

Guess I'll wait for the 2017 model to come in stock at B&H and replace it with that. I agree it's not very scientific and would like to know if the 2017 actually fixed something other then possibly changing manufacturers. Enjoyed the video comparing the keys!

Thanks for all the knowledge conveyed here! Would have loved to post a manufacture date and such but barely got them to agree to replace it with a 2017 model (plus some money of course) so had to send it back quickly.

 

[Queen6]

That's a great video…
Honestly the more I see these videos the more I think these butterfly keys are just super finicky and just not a long-term reliable and consistent design to be using.

To me the really troubling part is that we know how stubborn Apple is and this is probably not going to result in something like the Mac Pro doubling back on the design decision and it really feels like a matter of waiting out the period of multiple years where we look back on the this as sort of a "Lemon keyboard era".

(Lemon is a bit harsh but I can't think of another description at the moment)

Given how this has gone so far I am pretty confident they will make a dramatic change to this but just not until late 2018 or into 2019 when they decide it's time for another design change.

I'm still super frustrated and annoyed they didn't get the magic keyboard in there with its completely reliable and known quantity scissors switches that work sensationally, feel great and sound wonderful.

Apple's hubris is to some extents one of it's biggest issues; 15" MBP's with premature dGPU failure being a prime example amongst many others. Even if fault exists Apple will do it's utmost not to acknowledge until absolutely compelled. Nor is Apple designing for the 15% of it's user base that is employing it's computing line professionally.

I believe we will be well and truly stuck with what is effectively a design & engineering solution to reduce the overall thickness of the notebook not improve or enhance the typing experience. All of which I find rather pathetic for a Premium notebook, focused on the user experience.

IMHO worst keyboard the MacBook Pro has ever shipped with, add in the building anecdotal evidence of being less reliable than previous iterations. Likely also why I will not be replacing my rMB with another Mac, as it starting to feel like a lottery with Apple.

Maybe if the vaguely rumoured "Real MacBook Pro" materialises, equally I am at a point with Apple where I expect simply more of the same, form over function, thinner above all other considerations, designed & built to serve Apple not it's users...

Q-6
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Went to the Apple Store and was told NO ONE has had this issue before and it's very unusual.

Think it's given regardless of the provider this is the typical sales team response to the customer. It's clearly an issue to what extent is another matter, only Apple knows.

Q-6

 

[turbineseaplane]

Went to the Apple Store and was told NO ONE has had this issue before and it's very unusual.

That is utter poppycock and absolutely a mandate from management to downplay the situation.

I have a good relationship with an employee at our local store and he told me (quietly) they've had dozens of keyboard returns and issues/repair cases just in the last month on the MBP's. He didn't confirm being told to downplay anything, but it would make sense given how Apple rolls with this sort of stuff.

 

[fuzzystig]

To add to the conversation, I just received my fully Specced (3.1/560/2tb) 2017 MBP. I had gone through four 2016 model keyboards (3 machines, 1 top case replacement) before I demanded a refund. Each one had a loud, popping keyboard when warm.

This 2017 model is perfect so far. During set up I had the machine warm up significantly, and further did some intensity tests and the keyboard has remained consistent this whole time. Call me stoked!

 

[BaronS]

I just bought a MBP 13' 2017 without touch bar and the I key in particular makes the loud clicking sound. Warming it up a few of others do as well (but not as often).

It's a lovely computer but this is really poor and not what you expect from Apple. I have a Genius Bar appointment scheduled but not for another few days!

Is it only the MBP, has the 2017 MacBook suffered the same fate?

Has anyone had it fix itself?

 

[turbineseaplane]

Even though I know about these issues.... It still just bums you out a bit to keep reading people getting new, expensive, MBP's and discovering they too have a flaky and inconsistent keyboard.

It really is sad that Apple doesn't see this as a huge hit to their normally bulletproof and gorgeous laptops. Nobody wants to have laptops that have something as integral as they keyboard be inconsistent, unreliable and perhaps even fail spectacularly down the road.

We aren't even 1 year into Butterfly Gen 2 keyboards yet and just look at how it's going so far.
Not. Good.

 

[seadragon]

Even though I know about these issues.... It still just bums you out a bit to keep reading people getting new, expensive, MBP's and discovering they too have a flaky and inconsistent keyboard.

It really is sad that Apple doesn't see this as a huge hit to their normally bulletproof and gorgeous laptops. Nobody wants to have laptops that have something as integral as they keyboard be inconsistent, unreliable and perhaps even fail spectacularly down the road.

We aren't even 1 year into Butterfly Gen 2 keyboards yet and just look at how it's going so far.
Not. Good.

I was all set to buy a loaded up 15 inch MBP and even waited for the recent refresh but there's no way I'm plunking down that kind of cash for these problematic machines. What a shame. I'm honestly considering a 2015 refurb now.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I'm honestly considering a 2015 refurb now.

Can't blame you - I went back to a 2015 and it's solid as a rock. (dongle free as well.. haha)
I personally got one that was brand new in early 2016 and has extra AppleCare on it.

Great deals can be had if you go this route

 

[ryannel2003]

In the last 8 months I've had both a nTB 13" Pro and just recently purchased a 2016 15" Pro from Best Buy and so far neither computer have suffered any major keyboard related faults. My 13" did have a very sticky volume up key and you really had to press down to make it work well. The rest of the keys seemed fine but about once every week or two I would blow air around the keys to keep them clean and clear of debris.

 

[kristof46]

Polish Apple also doesn't know anything about it. Also I was talking on US chat and they also doesn't know this case. I took Macbook to authorized service and I hope they will do something with it. But I am worried about this situation cause no one knows about it. Apple doesn't look at unofficial sources like this forum.

 

[0110076]

Polish Apple also doesn't know anything about it. Also I was talking on US chat and they also doesn't know this case. I took Macbook to authorized service and I hope they will do something with it. But I am worried about this situation cause no one knows about it. Apple doesn't look at unofficial sources like this forum.

I find it hard to believe that they don't know. Acknowledging this as an issue and not a feature, publicly, could be very problematic.

Now, say they do, and a news outlet like MacRumors, TechCrunch, Engadget, The Verge, or any of the big ones published the story? Suddenly people who probably wouldn't be bothered by the issue might now want a fix.

By the looks of this thread it appears that all MacBook Pros have the issue, randomly, with some degree of "bad luck". So, an issue that affects ALL MacBook Pros since late 2016...that's huge!

 

[kristof46]

Question to someone who had replacement or repair. Do you have some documents from Apple? I asked because like I said Apple in Poland has never heard about this issue. I took Macbook to authorized service but I am worried that they will say it is normal and polish Apple won't add anything else cause they don't know this case. This type of document could be very very helpful for me.

 

[New_Mac_Smell]

Right now this issue is probably well within the 5% failure rate and so is not considered a large scale problem by Apple. Hence they won't have anything documented, and certainly will not authorise their in store employees to tell customers it's a wide spread issue. Whilst the majority of repairs occurring may well be of the keyboard, unless Apple start to get a much higher failure rate they won't list it as a defect.

 

[aevan]

By the looks of this thread it appears that all MacBook Pros have the issue, randomly, with some degree of "bad luck". So, an issue that affects ALL MacBook Pros since late 2016...that's huge!

Majority of 2016 MBPs have no keyboard issues, from high pitched sounds to double presses. Mine has none of these issues. So, it's not all.

 

[Deacon-Blues]

My keyboard is very quiet, I felt like I really scored when I got it. But I do have this strange popping noise from time to time. Every time it has happened I haven't even been touching it. Sounds like someone is knocking on the inside case of my computer. I have also noticed occasionally the keyboard will stop responding to key presses for a second. This is likely software related. But that popping noise sounds physical. Unless it's the speaker making a sound. I really have no idea, but I'm getting worried because this was $2800, hard earned money. I expect better. It sounds like taking it in to Apple will be a waste of time.

 

[0110076]

Majority of 2016 MBPs have no keyboard issues, from high pitched sounds to double presses. Mine has none of these issues. So, it's not all.

What I meant was a̶l̶l̶ MacBook Pros have the issue, randomly, with some degree of "bad luck"

It's good that you don't have this issue. I really hope Apple returns mine fixed. However, I have yet to see one 2016 MacBook Pro with at least a consistent typing experience across all keys.

 

[lennart18]

I will go to an Apple Store and ask if they could change my front cover, because they reperared my keys no for 2 times. Maybe they can tell me if it is possible to put a 2017 front cover on a 2016 model.

I´ve learned a lesson, never by a 1. gen apple product -> to expensive and you are often a beta tester

 

[Blizzardman]

Just an update for those who are interested. A couple of weeks ago I had two of my keys fixed with the shim repair and am happy to say everything has been great. Used the computer under heavy load without any of the clacking sound it used to have. When I brought it into the genius bar he initially acted like there weren't any repair bulletins for them to fix the clacking issue but once he went to the back to check he came back surprised to find out about the shim repair. Is it ideal to have to have this sort of repair in an expensive notebook? No. Am I happy I can finally enjoy my MBP without the annoying noise? Yes. In the end that is what matters.