On my Late 2011 MacBook Pro (type F), I am having a similar problem, but I have the scissor mechanism in place. I am just not able to get the up arrow key to snap in place. Please review this video and let me know if you see any issues and/or have advice on how to get the up arrow key to snap in place. Fn–Down Arrow: Page Down: Scroll down one page. Fn–Left Arrow: Home: Scroll to the beginning of a document. Fn–Right Arrow: End: Scroll to the end of a document. Command–Up Arrow: Move the insertion point to the beginning of the document. Command–Down Arrow: Move the insertion point to the end of the document.
In this guide I explain how to repair damaged keys on a MacBook Pro keyboard (unibody style).
In this particular case I’m fixing a MacBook Pro 13-inch laptop keyboard with two damaged keys but same steps will apply to MacBook Pro 15-inch and MacBook Pro 17-inch models.
Up/Down Key caps and Hinges are Applicable for MacBook Pro A1425 A1502 A1398 for MacBook Air A1369/A1466 Keyboard to Replace The Upper/Lower Arrow Keys $15.99 $ 15. 99 Get it as soon as Thu, Oct 29. How to Replace or Clean Apple MacBook Pro/Air Keyboard Key - Step by Step Video! Subscribe: Please Follow Our Blog: cleanersedge.com. Apple Macbook Air Keyboard Key 13' Mid 2012 - 2016. If you are missing a key or have worn out keys on your 13' MacBook Air the best solution is to replace individual keys as Apple decided to spot weld the keyboard into the Palmrest, replacing a key only takes 3 steps and the cost and labor is a fraction of the price to replace the entire Palmrest, not only is this a better option but also is.
I’ll take spare parts for repair from a damaged keyboard I have laying around. You can buy spare keys here: https://ebay.to/2vkvcTS
If you have a few keys missing or damaged, it might take sense to buy the entire new keyboard instead of individual keys and use it as a donor.
By the way, in one of the following posts I will show how to replace the entire keyboard on a MacBook Pro 13″, 15″, 17″ unibody.
As you see, I have two damaged keys on the MacBook Pro keyboard.
The left arrow key missing just the cap.
The bottom arrow key missing the cap, key retainer (hinge) and silicone plunger.
You will need needle nose tweezers to handle small parts.
Let’s fix them!
STEP 1.
Remove the key cap from the damaged (donor) keyboard.
In order to do that insert a sharp object between the key cap and key retainer and lift it up.
The key will unsnap from the retainer.
STEP 2.
The left arrow key cap removed.
STEP 3.
Turn the key cap over and inspect small plastic key holders on the bottom side of the key. Make sure they are not damaged.
These holders secure the key cap to the retainer (hinge).
When you install the key cap on the retainer, make sure to seat the side with holders on the edges of the key fist.
In my case the left side of the key cap should be seated properly.
STEP 4.
Seat the side with holders on the edges of the key fist. Make sure the holders engage with the retainer.
STEP 5.
Push on the button until it snaps on the retainer.
STEP 6.
The left arrow key has been repaired.
Make sure it moves freely.
Now let’s fix the bottom arrow key.
STEP 7.
Remove the bottom key from the donor keyboard.
Inspect the bottom side of the key, make sure that holders are not damaged.
STEP 8.
Carefully remove the key retainer from the donor keyboard.
STEP 9. Free photo editing software mac os x.
Inspect the retainer. Make sure it’s not damaged.
STEP 10.
Here’s the tricky part.
Very carefully separate the silicone plunger from the donor keyboard.
Try to remove it from the keyboard as clean as possible, so the bottom side of the plunger remains as flat as possible.
You can use a very small knife to separate the plunger from the keyboard.
STEP 11.
On my target MacBook Pro one of the metal hooks was bent so I corrected the problem.
STEP 12.
Turn the silicon plunger upside down.
Apply a small amount of super glue on the plunger edges. You need the glue just on the edges.
The first time I wasn’t careful enough and the glue filled up the plunger. I had to use another one.
STEP 13.
Seat the plunger in the right position on the target keyboard and let the glue dry.
At first, I tried applying some pressure on the plunger but it didn’t work, because the plunger just kept moving around.
Finally, I just reapplied the glue and let the plunger to seat by itself for about 10 minutes without applying any pressure on it.
STEP 14.
Install the key retainer on the target keyboard.
STEP 15.
Install the bottom arrow key as we did in steps 3-5.
Make sure the key moves freely.
The keyboard has been fixed!
If you have multiple damaged keys, it might sense to replace the entire top case assembly with the keyboard. Replacement top cases available here: https://ebay.to/37cRuEg
Control accessibility options with your keyboard and Siri
Macbook Air Down Arrow Key Not Working
You can use these keyboard shortcuts to control accessibility options, or ask Siri to perform these functions. For example, ask Siri to ”Turn VoiceOver On.”
Action | Shortcut |
---|---|
Display Accessibility Options | Option-Command-F5 or triple-press Touch ID (power button) on supported models1 |
Turn VoiceOver on or off2 | Command-F5 or Fn-Command-F5 or hold Command and triple-press Touch ID on supported models1 |
Open VoiceOver Utility, if VoiceOver is turned on2 | Control-Option-F8 or Fn-Control-Option-F8 |
Turn zoom on or off3 | Option-Command-8 |
Zoom in3 | Option–Command–Plus sign (+) |
Zoom out3 | Option–Command–Minus sign (-) |
Invert colors4 | Control-Option-Command-8 |
Reduce contrast | Control-Option-Command-Comma (,) |
Increase contrast | Control-Option-Command-Period (.) |
1. MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2016), MacBook Pro (13-inch, Late 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
2. To use VoiceOver and VoiceOver Utility, you might need to turn on 'Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys' in Keyboard preferences. You might also need to make VoiceOver ignore the next key press before you can use some of the other Mac keyboard shortcuts.
![Macbook air keys sticking Macbook air keys sticking](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/th0Mq7pV2kVRndd8jb16A-PFfFE=/250x250/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10316433/strato4.png)
3. To use the zoom shortcuts, you might need to turn on 'Use keyboard shortcuts to zoom' in Accessibility preferences.
4. To enable this shortcut, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Keyboard. In the Shortcuts tab, select Accessibility on the left, then select ”Invert colors” on the right.
Use your keyboard like a mouse
You can use your keyboard like a mouse to navigate and interact with items onscreen. Use the Tab key and arrow keys to navigate, then press Space bar to select an item.
- Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Keyboard.
- Click Shortcuts.
- From the bottom of the preferences window, select ”Use keyboard navigation to move focus between controls.” In macOS Mojave or earlier, this setting appears as an ”All controls” button instead.
Action | Shortcut |
---|---|
Switch between navigation of all controls on the screen, or only text boxes and lists | Control-F7 or Fn-Control-F7 |
Move to the next control | Tab |
Move to the previous control | Shift-Tab |
Move to the next control when a text field is selected | Control-Tab |
Move the focus to the previous grouping of controls | Control-Shift-Tab |
Move to the adjacent item in a list, tab group, or menu Move sliders and adjusters (Up Arrow to increase values, Down Arrow to decrease values) | Arrow keys |
Move to a control adjacent to the text field | Control–Arrow keys |
Choose the selected menu item | Space bar |
Click the default button or perform the default action | Return or Enter |
Click the Cancel button or close a menu without choosing an item | Esc |
Move the focus to the previous panel | Control-Shift-F6 |
Move to the status menu in the menu bar | Control-F8 or Fn-Control-F8 |
Activate the next open window in the front app | Command–Grave accent (`) |
Activate the previous open window in the front app | Shift–Command–Grave accent (`) |
Move the focus to the window drawer | Option–Command–Grave accent (`) |
Navigate menus with your keyboard
To use these shortcuts, first press Control-F2 or Fn-Control-F2 to put the focus on the menu bar.
Action | Shortcut |
---|---|
Move from menu to menu | Left Arrow, Right Arrow |
Open a selected menu | Return |
Move to menu items in the selected menu | Up Arrow, Down Arrow |
Jump to a menu item in the selected menu | Type the menu item's name |
Choose the selected menu item | Return |
Use Mouse Keys to move the mouse pointer
Macbook Air Key Repair
When Mouse Keys is turned on, you can use the keyboard or numeric keypad keys to move the mouse pointer.
Macbook Air Keys Not Working
Action | Shortcut |
---|---|
Move up | 8 or numeric keypad 8 |
Move down | K or numeric keypad 2 |
Move left | U or numeric keypad 4 |
Move right | O or numeric keypad 6 |
Move diagonally down and to the left | J or numeric keypad 1 |
Move diagonally down and to the right | L or numeric keypad 3 |
Move diagonally up and to the left | 7 or numeric keypad 7 |
Move diagonally up and to the right | 9 or numeric keypad 9 |
Press the mouse button | I or numeric keypad 5 |
Hold the mouse button | M or numeric keypad 0 |
Release the mouse button | . (period) |
Learn more
- Change the behavior of the function keys or modifier keys