How to fix stuck MacBook and MacBook Pro keyboard

It can be a frustrating experience to have the butterfly keyboard become unresponsive due to dust and other seemingly tiny debris. While it’s great that Apple introduced a service program to fix affected keyboards for free, would you like to try to fix your stuck keys at home? Follow along below…

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Whether you’d like to get your butterfly keyboard working again in the short-term before taking it in for a repair or want to do a little preventative maintenance, it’s useful to know how to clean the butterfly keyboard and fix any keys that are stuck.

Notably, we just learned that Apple has also added a silicone gasket underneath the keys that gives the 2018 MacBook Pro models a softer feel, but will no doubt prevent debris building up as well.

How to clean the MacBook and MacBook Pro butterfly keyboard

1. Hold your MacBook at a 75-degree angle (upright but not quite vertical)
2. Use compressed air or a manual blower on the keyboard, in a left-to-right motion
3. Rotate your MacBook to its right side and spray the keyboard again, from left to right
4. Repeat the action, this time with your MacBook rotated to its left side

Here are the photos that Apple uses to help describe the process:

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If you’re still having issues with your butterfly keyboard, the next best step is to get in touch with your closest Apple Store or AASP for a free fix for eligible MacBooks.

Here are the models that are covered under the service program:

• MacBook (Retina, 12-­inch, Early 2015)
• MacBook (Retina, 12­-inch, Early 2016)
• MacBook (Retina, 12-­inch, 2017)
• MacBook Pro (13­-inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
• MacBook Pro (13-­inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
• MacBook Pro (13-­inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
• MacBook Pro (13-­inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
• MacBook Pro (15-­inch, 2016)
• MacBook Pro (15-­inch, 2017)

For more help getting the most out of your Apple devices, check out our how to guide as well as the following articles:

• How to add secondary destinations in Apple Maps while navigating
• How to turn True Tone on and off for macOS and iOS
• How to set 24-hour time on iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch & Mac
• How to prepare your Mac for an upgrade to a new MacBook Pro
• macOS: How to set a custom Siri keyboard shortcut
• How to update Sonos speakers for AirPlay 2 and HomeKit
• iPhone & iPad: How to get the official Apple user guides for free

Check out 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news: