MacBook Pro (14-inch, M6) Troubleshooting Keyboard Functional Issues
Guided steps to help resolve issues
Note: This procedure is intended for MacBook Pro (14-inch, M6) only.
Identify issues
Read the relevant support articles if you notice any of the following issues:
When typing, keyboard letters or characters repeat unexpectedly
When typing, keyboard letters or characters aren’t recognized or displayed
When typing, displayed characters don’t match the keys pressed
Key sticky, slow to return upward, or unresponsive
Key stuck in down or up position
Key makes unexpected noise when pressed
Key press feels uneven or stiff
Key doesn’t respond, feels spongy, or doesn’t press all the way down
Keycaps or key switch mechanisms broken or missing
Keyboard locks up
Note: Refer to Troubleshooting Keyboard Backlight Issues to isolate backlight issues.
Relevant support articles
If the issue wasn’t resolved by following a support article, continue to the next section.
Try quick troubleshooting steps
Inspect the computer for liquid damage. Contact with liquid can short internal circuits and cause the keyboard to stop working.
If a Bluetooth keyboard is present and paired with the computer, unpair it. The keyboard may be overriding input commands from the built-in keyboard.
If the computer has an unresponsive key, or a key that feels different from the other keys when you press it, clean the keyboard. After cleaning the keyboard, test the keyboard to ensure that all keyboard keys function normally.
Ensure that Mouse Keys isn’t turned on. When Mouse Keys is on, the keyboard can’t be used to enter text. If one or more keys on the keyboard don't respond, refer to Change Alternate Control Methods preferences for accessibility on Mac for instructions to turn Mouse Keys off.
Run manual and diagnostic tests
If the issue wasn’t resolved by following a support article or trying the quick troubleshooting steps, run these manual and diagnostic tests to help isolate the cause of the issue:
Press the Caps Lock key on the built-in keyboard to ensure that the indicator light illuminates. This will indicate at least some connection to the logic board and verify that the keyboard is recognized by the logic board.
Note: Pressing the Caps Lock key on Apple keyboards may not immediately activate the Caps Lock function. The key must be held down slightly longer to activate the Caps Lock function. This is to prevent accidental activation of Caps Lock mode. This is normal behavior and doesn’t indicate a service issue.
If the built-in keyboard isn’t functioning at all, connect an external keyboard to the computer to continue troubleshooting.
Run the Keyboard diagnostic suite.
Note: Diagnostics only verify keyboard electrical operation. Diagnostics don’t verify keyboard mechanical feel and response.
If the previous steps didn’t isolate or resolve the issue, refer to the computer’s repair manual to remove and replace the affected keycap to clean and inspect under the keycap. Refer to Mac Laptops Keys to remove and replace the affected keycap.
Important: A keycap should always be replaced each time it's removed, even for inspection or cleaning. Before removing any keycaps, ensure that the correct replacement keycap kit is available. Once a keycap has been removed, it must be replaced by a new keycap. Don’t reuse keycaps.
Clean the inner aluminum part of the keycap well to remove any liquid residue that may be present.
Inspect the scissor mechanism to verify that it's functional and has no damaged pins or any other damage. Scissors can also be replaced if damaged.
Inspect the rubber dome for damage to determine if full keyboard replacement is necessary, as rubber domes can't be replaced independently.
Important: Some keyboard and keyboard backlight signals connect to the keyboard through the trackpad flex cable. Trackpad flex cable failures may, therefore, cause keyboard issues or unresponsive behavior in both the keyboard and trackpad. If a functioning trackpad flex cable is available, substitute it and retest for trackpad and keyboard functionality. Replacing the trackpad flex cable may resolve these issues.
Note: The trackpad flex cable may be part of the trackpad and may not be separately replaceable. Check the repair manual for more information.
Open and inspect the computer
If the issue wasn’t resolved or isolated by following support articles or running diagnostics tests, refer to the computer’s repair manual to open and inspect the computer. A damaged or out-of-place part may be causing one of the issues.
Follow repair manual procedures to remove the bottom case and disconnect the battery from the logic board.
Inspect internal parts and the enclosure for indications of physical or liquid damage, contamination, and burned or darkened areas. Inspect all relevant internal flex cables and connectors for damage or tampering, such as a film or foreign material blocking a connector.
Locate the keyboard flex cable connector and verify the flex cable is present and connected. If the flex cable is missing, it may be under the logic board. Remove the logic board to locate the flex cable.
Disconnect and reseat the keyboard flex cable to the connector on the logic board.
Inspect the lid angle sensor (LAS), including its flex cable and connectors, for evidence of physical damage or corrosion. Disconnect the LAS flex cable and retest for the keyboard issue. If the issue is resolved when the LAS is disconnected, replace the LAS.
Carefully reinstall and reseat all flex cables. Reassemble the computer and run diagnostics again.
If the issue is resolved or inspection reveals no issues, complete the reassembly. If diagnostic results or inspection identified a faulty part, continue to the next section. If the issue persists without identifying a specific part, continue to the next section for logic board replacement.
Note: This section requires ordering parts and tools. Replacing a part may not resolve the device’s issue. You can find other service options at support.apple.com/repair.
Replace the part
If the issue wasn’t resolved or isolated by following the previous steps, replace the following parts for each relevant issue:
If you find damage or corrosion on the lid angle sensor flex cable or its connectors, replace the lid angle sensor.
For cosmetic issues such as wear on keycaps, replace the relevant keycaps. Do not replace a keyboard or top case for cosmetic issues with keys.
For individual key functionality or feel issues, replace the relevant keycaps.
For multiple key functionality or feel issues, replace the top case.
If the trackpad or the trackpad flex cable is found to cause keyboard functionality issues, replace the trackpad or the trackpad flex cable.
If the keyboard isn't recognized at all, or no specific faulty part was identified above, replace the logic board.
Repair completion
Depending on the part replaced, Repair Assistant may be available on the device to finish the repair. Learn how to initiate Repair Assistant.
Post-repair verification
Run the following diagnostic suites after the repair:
Mac Resource Inspector (MRI) (to test overall functionality)
Keyboard
After the repair is completed, turn on the computer and verify that the keyboard and trackpad are both functioning normally.
Note: This section requires ordering parts and tools. Replacing a part may not resolve the device’s issue. You can find other service options at support.apple.com/repair.