MacBook Pro Keyboard Replacement

The MacBook Pro keyboard is easily one of the most used components of the device. That’s why when your keyboard malfunctions or breaks, it brings your productivity to a screeching halt.

As the Apple MacBook series has evolved, the company has sought to improve and enhance its pieces and parts. Apple adopted the so-called ‘butterfly switches’ in the newer versions of MacBook Pro laptops. The butterfly mechanism was designed to enable the MacBook Pro to be thinner than ever before while increasing the size of individual keys.

But many Mac users have been reporting strange issues with this newer keyboard technology, such as high-pitched sounds associated with certain keys. If you’ve found yourself a victim of a defective keyboard, read on for information about MacBook Pro keyboard replacement and repair options.

Can the Keyboard Be Repaired Rather Than Replaced?

Depending on the keyboard issue you are experiencing, a repair may be possible rather than a complete MacBook Pro keyboard replacement. On some MacBooks, problems such as sticky keys can be repaired by removing the single key and cleaning underneath it. But if your keyboard’s troubles are more complicated, or you own a newer version, you’ll probably have to replace the entire thing.

MacBook Keyboard Replacement Cost

Because of the custom designed keyboard on MacBook Pros—as well as the proprietary hold Apple imposes on most of its hardware—replacing it can prove to be challenging, not to mention costly.

Official Apple Store Cost

Without the AppleCare+ extended warranty, the fee to replace your MacBook Pro’s keyboard at the official Apple store will be astronomical. Still under warranty or have AppleCare+? You’ll likely be charged about $125. But that does not include keyboards that have been damaged by water or other liquids. Those repairs from Apple will cost you anywhere from around $600-$1,300, depending on the size and state of your laptop.

DIY Cost

If your MacBook Pro keyboard needs to be replaced, you do have the option of completing the replacement yourself. You can buy all the tools, as well as a new keyboard, online for around $40-$50. But, keep in mind that when attempting a DIY replacement, you run the risk of damaging your device further.

CPR Cell Phone Repair Cost

Choosing CPR Cell Phone Repair to perform a MacBook Pro keyboard replacement is a smart choice. Our team of techs are experts in their field and have years of experience servicing Apple products, such as MacBooks. Plus, at CPR we offer limited lifetime warranties on our repairs, free estimates on service costs and convenient, mail-in options. Find your local CPR Cell Phone Repair store here.

How to Replace Your MacBook Pro Keyboard – DIY Guide

The keyboard is connected to the entire assembly, which means you will actually need to replace the entire assembly if need a MacBook Pro keyboard replacement. Use this DIY guide from CPR to do so.

Steps:

1. To begin, flip your MacBook Pro over.
2. Remove the lower case of your MacBook Pro by unscrewing the 10 small screws that secure the lower case to the rest of the device.
3. Carefully lift away and set aside the lower case of the laptop.
4. Locate the warning label that covers the battery connector and peel it back.
5. Using a spudger, pry the battery connector out of its socket in the logic board. Then, bend the battery cables back and out of your way.
6. Locate the three AirPort antenna cables and use your spudger to extract them from their sockets.
7. Use the tip of your spudger to push the connecting cable of the camera out of its socket.
8. Insert the spudger under the rubber cover on the right fan and slide it along the length of the mechanism to release the adhesive, lifting the cover and flipping it back.
9. Underneath the cover, pull the AirPort/Camera cables out from the fan.
10. Again using the spudger, pry the rubber hinge covers off the right and left hinges.
11. To remove the hinges, unscrew the hinge covers and brackets.
12. Pry the I/O Board connector from the socket on the logic board, then remove the I/O Board connector from the socket on the I/O Board, then remove the I/O Board cable from the laptop.
13. Unscrew the single Torx screw that secures the AirPort card to the logic board.
14. Gently pull the AirPort card out from the MacBook Pro.
15. Free the right fan ribbon cable from the logic board by flipping up the retaining flap and sliding your spudger underneath it.
16. There are three screws that adhere the right fan to the logic board. Remove them.
17. Lift away the right fan out of the MacBook Pro.
18. Lift the rubber cover up off of the fan on the left side using your spudger.
19. Remove the screws that secure the left fan to the logic board—there are three of them.
20. Free the left fan from the logic board by locating the ribbon cable, flipping up the retaining flap and sliding your spudger underneath it.
21. Unscrew the small Torx screw that secures the SSD to the logic board and pull in out of its socket on the logic board.
22. Flip up the I/O Board data cable lock using your spudger and rotate it to the battery side of the computer. Remove the I/O Board data cable lock from its socket on the logic board.
23. Unscrew the two Torx screws that secure it to the logic board and lift the I/O board out from the lower case.
24. Next, remove the headphone jack connector, and both left and right speaker connectors out of their sockets.
25. Locate the keyboard ribbon cable and pull it out of the socket.
26. Gently force the trackpad ribbon cable connector out from its socket on the logic board.
27. Using the flat end of your spudger, remove the keyboard backlight connector.
28. Then find the microphone ribbon cable, flip up the retaining flap and pull it out of its socket.
29. With care, rotate the display data cable lock 180 degrees and pull it out.
30. Near the MagSafe 2 connector is a raised screw head with a rubber cap. Pry it off.
31. Six screws connect the logic board to upper case—remove them.
32. Now lift the logic board out and rotate it toward the top of the computer.
33. Push the MagSafe 2 connector out from the logic board.
34. Lift the logic board assembly away from the device.
35. Unscrew the single screw that holds the left rubber hinge cover in place, slide the left hinge cover out of its bezel, and remove it from the device. Do the same to the right hinge cover (note: the screw that holds the right rubber hinge cover should have been removed previously).
36. Remove the upper and lower microphones from the laptop.
37. There are two screws holding the MagSafe DC-In board to the upper case. Remove them, then slide the board to the right to free it from its recess and remove it from the upper case assembly.
38. Remove the headphone jack from the upper case by unscrewing the two screws holding it in place.
39. For both the left and right speaker, unscrew the three screws that are holding each in place and separate them from the device.
40. Next, unscrew the six screws that secure the display to the upper case.
41. Release the display assembly from the upper case by gingerly pushing forward on the upper case.
42. Follow these steps in reverse to attach your new assembly to the upper case.

How to Clean Your MacBook Keyboard

MacBook Pro keyboards are delicate devices making it easy for dust, dirt, crumbs, and other particles to cause problems with the mechanics of the instrument. When these molecules get in, they render the keys inoperable and need to be forced out. Use a can of compressed air to blast out the offending debris from under the keys.

If you have questions about your MacBook Pro keyboard or need assistance to repair or replace it, don’t hesitate to contact the nearest CPR Cell Phone Repair store.