mac wireless keyboard not working after cleaning

This applies to the 2016 through 2018 MacBook Pros and covers the gen 1, 2 and 3 keyboards. Given the amount a labor to do this (there are a TON of screws – about 60 in total), it’s much more cost effective just to replace they keyboard with a new one. In these cases, they keyboard needs to be removed and cleaned with an electrical solvent. When you press a key, you are intentionally creating this short, but a liquid like water or soda (which can conduct electrical current) can bridge the connections closing the loop. There is a contaminant that is shorting electrical connections. With this scenario, you may be able to get around the unresponsive keys, but eventually you will have to replace it. You can remap once macOS has loaded, but not before.

This means if you need to go into Safe Mode (hold ⇧Shift, run Apple Hardware Test (hold D) or any other boot time key sequences, it won't work you'll need an external USB keyboard. However, there's only so much remapping you can do and this isn't practical in the pre-boot stage (i.e.

Remapping keys can be done via 3rd party tools such as Karabiner or Karabiner Elements (Sierra and up). If a key isn’t responding it means that the electrical connection mapping the key is blocked. The second case, where the key is acting like it's pressed, the keyboard will likely have to be replaced because there is a physical connection being made and it's being sent to the logic board to be interpreted. The first case is potentially salvageable through the use of software to remap a key, or just changing your behavior when possible (i.e. keys that are stuck they act like they are being held down.Carefully set the keyboard upside down and let dry for one week.There are two scenarios which you will encounter: The final soak should include a mixture of alcohol, the alcohol aids in the evaporation process.Ĩ. This will make sure any and all contaminates are removed. Submerge and soak the keyboard 2-3 additional times in distilled water. Submerge keyboard in distilled water and again gently brush damaged area.ħ. The minerals found in tap water could have the potential to create additional short circuiting.)Ħ. (Use distilled water because there are less minerals then tap water. Wash the soap and alcohol away with warm distilled water. Apply Isopropyl alcohol to the problem area (use a gentle brush) and brush the area to loosen up any sticky residue.ĥ. Apply a mixture of dish-washing liquid and distilled water to the damaged area.Ĥ. Remove all the keys (You might be able to avoid this step but I was curious and removed them) Be careful as they're easy to damage.ģ. Unplug the keyboard from your computer.Ģ. Without hesitation I decided to take the plunge.ġ. I found several sites claiming the Aluminum Apple Keyboard could be completely submerged in water but found no images to prove it. After accidentally spilling wine on my keyboard the keys began to fail working.

Mac wireless keyboard not working after cleaning