Apple keyboard analysis. A Mac keyboard is dirtier than a toilet. How to clean it? Why do the keys on a MacBook occasionally stick?

There are times when individual buttons need to be removed MacBook keyboards Air or Pro. Most often this happens when liquid is spilled on the keyboard or solid particles get under the buttons, which in turn leads to sticking (sticky pressing) or jamming separate keys MacBook. Today we will learn how to eliminate troubles of this kind with our own hands.

The most common case is when a sweet liquid is spilled on the keyboard (tea with sugar, compote, Buratino, etc.). To restore functionality in this case, it is necessary to remove the stuck keys and clean the fastening mechanism under them.

Each MacBook keyboard button is attached to a miniature mechanism. It resembles a scissor mechanism, and consists of two tiny plastic rectangles inserted into each other and connected by a central hinge (see picture below). This mechanism is responsible for the smooth movement of your MacBook's keyboard buttons.

So, if the buttons stick or don’t press at all, then something is interfering with them. Let's take them off and see what's going on. This procedure is not complicated, but it requires care and attention.

To remove the buttons, we need a tool to lift the edge of the button itself (this could be a small flat-head screwdriver, a plastic spatula, etc.) and something flat and thin (for example, tweezers) to detach the mechanism.

There are many videos on the Internet on this topic, but be careful when following the advice you are given. So in one of the videos, the “craftsman” removes the buttons of any keyboards only by lifting the right corner of the button. Try this method with a MacBook and your keyboard will lose a couple of teeth.

I would like to warn you right away that the attachment of the Air and Pro buttons is slightly different and different methods are used for removal.

To remove the keyboard buttons MacBook Air necessary.

Step 1

It is necessary to lift the bottom edge of the button using a plastic spatula (flat-head screwdriver). Don't be afraid to raise the bottom edge, but don't overdo it either. The plastic mechanism is quite pliable and easily allows the bottom edge to rise 1.5 - 2mm above the aluminum body.

STEP 2

We insert the tweezers horizontally into the resulting gap on the right and gently press down. This will release the lower right corner of the button from its engagement with the mechanism.

If the button does not release completely, insert the tweezers from the left, move it slightly towards the bottom edge and press down lightly. Both lower corners are free.

STEP 3

After removing the button, examine the mechanism for possible reasons inoperability. Is it possible to fix the problem (clean off sweet jam or remove hard crumbs) without removing the mechanism?

If not, then remove the plastic mechanism. To do this, we perform a tricky maneuver: insert the blade of a stationery knife into the gap between the parts of the mechanism (as shown in the pictures above), push the plastic parts of the mechanism apart and bring the edge of the inner part up.

We do the same on the other side. Thus, the parts of the mechanism disengage and are easily removed from the mounts on the body.

STEP 4

To restore the button, put the scissor mechanism in its place and press it with your finger to the base of the keyboard. You will hear “click-click” - the mechanism has engaged with the base.

There's probably dust, crumbs, bits of food, hair, and other debris under the keys on your computer. Even the most careful Mac users are unable to keep their keyboards from getting dirty.

Buttons on Apple computers are clearly fitted, the holes in the body have minimal clearance, but even this is enough to regularly collect a batch of garbage.

Why clean your keyboard?

Firstly, this is useful from a hygienic point of view. Computer keys are the first breeding ground for germs and bacteria in the house after the toilet. It’s not every time that you wash your hands before typing something, and if it’s a laptop, it will also pick up dirt from the office, cafe and travel bag.

Secondly, dirt and dust can cause buttons to stick. The contacts on the board may become clogged and may not respond to pressure the first time.

Third, A clean keyboard looks aesthetically pleasing. The Mac looks like new.

How often to clean your keyboard

It all depends on your desire and mode of operation of the Mac. It is recommended to clean home computers at least once every three months. It is advisable to clean portable laptops every 30 days.

How to clean your keyboard

Cleaning the keyboard is divided into two stages: external and internal. External cleaning of the keys can be carried out as they become dirty or at the user's request. It is aimed only at removing dirt from the surface of the keys and will not affect the operation of the device in any way.

Internal cleaning is aimed at removing dirt and debris under the buttons. This procedure must be carried out regularly to avoid contamination and sticking of the buttons.

External cleaning

To perform external cleaning, it is not necessary to turn off the computer or disconnect the external keyboard. You can use the KeyboardCleanTool for Mac utility. This free utility Locks keys and prevents false keystrokes during cleaning.

Don't forget to grant permission to the app along the way Settings – Security and Privacy – Privacy – Accessibility(Administrator password required).

After blocking, we arm ourselves with microfiber, cotton swabs or pads. They must be lightly moistened with water or an alcohol-containing substance. You can use special wet wipes to clean the keyboard and display.

Attention! The liquid should not drain from the rag, cotton wool or napkin. If you're worried about wetting, it's better to play it safe and turn off the computer's power.

Carefully wipe all buttons from the front and ends. Don't forget to wipe the surface of the keyboard itself, the bottom and legs (for external devices).

How to clean the inside of your keyboard

This is a painstaking and time-consuming process. Be patient and have up to an hour of time at your disposal. First, take a photo of the location of the buttons on your smartphone so that you don’t painfully remember the layout later.

Be sure to spend internal cleaning when the computer's power is turned off.

Using a toothpick or plastic tool, pry up the upper corner of the key and carefully unfasten the fastening from the groove (do not use screwdrivers or knives, they can damage the keys).

Now grab the entire button and unfasten the fastener from the second groove.

Attention! Excessive use brute force may damage the keys. Be careful.

If the retention mechanism is still on the keyboard, unfasten it and secure it to the key.

Once all the buttons have been removed, you can clean up the debris using a vacuum cleaner. Remaining dirt and particles should be removed with a lint-free, slightly dampened cloth.

Wipe the buttons themselves with wet wipes or an eraser.

We install the clean buttons in place. We put the key with the fastened fastening in place and press it along the entire perimeter until it clicks. We press several times and make sure that all fasteners are in the right grooves.

Here's a cheat sheet if you forgot to take a photo of your keyboard:

Wait until the keyboard is completely dry and only then turn on the computer.

Remember to regularly monitor the condition of the keys and clean them. Do this right now - and tomorrow you will say Thank you yourself for this.

Sometimes it happens that the key on your laptop refuses to respond to pressure or is simply not flexible enough, causing a lot of irritation. Don’t rush to run to the service center, but read the simple instructions shared by Apple itself.

Let us immediately note that this manual Applies to 12-inch MacBook and all newer models. To clean your laptop keyboard yourself, you first need to get a can of compressed air.

It is imperative to use the tube that comes with the cylinder to direct the air flow. The end of the tube should be separated by approximately one and a half centimeters from the keyboard. It is also recommended to hold the can as level as possible when spraying.

Hold your MacBook at a 75-degree angle to the surface and spray air over the entire keyboard or just the non-functioning keys in a left-to-right motion.

Fair, not overpriced and not underestimated. There should be prices on the Service website. Necessarily! without asterisks, clear and detailed, where technically possible - as accurate and conclusive as possible.

If spare parts are available, up to 85% of complex repairs can be completed in 1-2 days. Modular repairs require much less time. The website shows the approximate duration of any repair.

Warranty and responsibility

A guarantee must be given for any repairs. Everything is described on the website and in the documents. The guarantee is self-confidence and respect for you. A 3-6 month warranty is good and sufficient. It is needed to check quality and hidden defects that cannot be detected immediately. You see honest and realistic terms (not 3 years), you can be sure that they will help you.

Half the success in Apple repair is the quality and reliability of spare parts, so a good service works directly with suppliers, there are always several reliable channels and your own warehouse with proven spare parts for current models, so you don’t have to waste extra time.

Free diagnostics

This is very important and has already become a rule of good manners for service center. Diagnostics is the most difficult and important part of the repair, but you don't have to pay a penny for it, even if you don't repair the device based on its results.

Service repairs and delivery

Good service values ​​your time, so he offers free shipping. And for the same reason, repairs are carried out only in the workshop of a service center: they can be done correctly and according to technology only in a prepared place.

Convenient schedule

If the Service works for you, and not for itself, then it is always open! absolutely. The schedule should be convenient to fit in before and after work. Good service works on weekends and holidays. We are waiting for you and working on your devices every day: 9:00 - 21:00

The reputation of professionals consists of several points

Company age and experience

Reliable and experienced service has been known for a long time.
If a company has been on the market for many years and has managed to establish itself as an expert, people turn to it, write about it, and recommend it. We know what we are talking about, since 98% of incoming devices in the service center are restored.
Other service centers trust us and refer complex cases to us.

How many masters in areas

If there are always several engineers waiting for you for each type of equipment, you can be sure:
1. there will be no queue (or it will be minimal) - your device will be taken care of right away.
2. you give your Macbook for repair to an expert in the field of Mac repairs. He knows all the secrets of these devices

Technical literacy

If you ask a question, a specialist should answer it as accurately as possible.
So that you can imagine what exactly you need.
They will try to solve the problem. In most cases, from the description you can understand what happened and how to fix the problem.

This morning I was drinking tea and scrolling through the news on the Internet, spilled tea on the keyboard, quickly took out the batteries, turned it over and shook it over the sink, wiped it with a towel (also leaving it upside down), came home from work in the evening, started chatting and realized that the buttons did not work so smoothly, slowly return to place when pressed, get stuck, crunch, stick, etc.

I twirled the keyboard in my hands, realized that the body was all-metal, and the back plastic part was tightly glued in, I googled the forums and was convinced of my assumption.

I had to do everything “from the outside”, the number pad works great, only the letters are glitchy, so I did it like this

The buttons on the scissor mechanism can be picked out with a fingernail (or a screwdriver), to remove the button you need to carefully hook it on top and pull it until it clicks; if there is no click, then pull the upper left and right corners, after the upper part of the button is unhooked, carefully unhook it in the same way, be extremely careful, you can break the mechanism.

We place the buttons on the table in rows so as not to confuse their location; during the reverse operation we will put them in place from left to right in rows.

To wash, we need a tube of clean water or isopropyl alcohol; for example, liquid for wiping monitors is quite suitable.

You need to spray the liquid evenly over the open button mechanisms (move quickly with your hand when spraying), after spraying, wait 20-30 seconds, carefully move each scissor mechanism and carefully wipe each hole (sticky tea usually sticks around), wipe the entire keyboard, briefly blow with a hairdryer and Make sure that the keyboard does not heat up, otherwise the plastic mechanisms may be damaged.

Now we wipe each button around the perimeter and inside and install it back, you just need to put the button in the niche and gently press on it and push it in all corners.

Elongated buttons such as tab, caps, space, etc. deserve special attention; with them you first need to insert the lever into the holes, and then put the button in and snap it into place.

I don’t recommend removing the buttons again, because... they will soon wear out from such use and will fall out on their own, so remove only the problematic buttons.

This method can also help if the scissor mechanisms are clogged with dust or wool; when the buttons become clogged, they begin to creak, stick, lose their smooth operation, etc.

By the way, on the previous keyboard, which I took to work, I lightly lubricated the perimeter of the spacebar and the lever at the point of contact with the metal, this saved me from squeaking.

It is worth noting that the keyboard turned out to be very resistant to moisture; usually, when flooded, the keyboard stops responding to presses, and the contact tracks turn into mush.

But at the same time I would advise Apple make slightly better devices and stable operating systems, often the reliability and ergonomics are inferior appearance devices (for example a mouse).

Although in fairness it is worth noting that all these Apple gadgets in the USA cost almost the same as similar products from competitors, and the accessories are generally very high in our country, in some stores branded headphones can cost about 3000-4000 rubles, and in the USA about 4 times cheaper, I also found keyboards on the same Avito at a price higher than a new one in “special places”, I just have friends who bring devices from various suppliers without extra charges))) When I bought the router AirPort Express for 3400, then in some “brand” stores in the city the price reached 5900.