Macbook Pro Keys Not Working: I have a Macbook Pro from 2012. A couple of days ago, two rows of keys stopped working. Any ideas? Google wasn't much of a help. I'm using a Dell Vostro...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I have a Macbook Pro from 2012. A couple of days ago, two rows of keys stopped working. Any ideas? Google wasn't much of a help.

I'm using a Dell Vostro 1500 from 2008, and the maximum memory is 4GB! Amazing!

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

Although good, they don't last forever. Time to replace the keyboard?, assuming they are available?

juan_uy Loc: Uruguay

jerryc41 wrote:

I have a Macbook Pro from 2012. A couple of days ago, two rows of keys stopped working. Any ideas? Google wasn't much of a help.

I'm using a Dell Vostro 1500 from 2008, and the maximum memory is 4GB! Amazing!

Jerry,

I can't help with your issue, but I suggest you look for a witch or similar who can do a "bad energy" cleanse on your house

Earnest Botello Loc: Hockley, Texas

Try a USB keyboard.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

jerryc41 wrote:

I have a Macbook Pro from 2012. A couple of days ago, two rows of keys stopped working. Any ideas? Google wasn't much of a help.

I'm using a Dell Vostro 1500 from 2008, and the maximum memory is 4GB! Amazing!

Jerry, try and install an external key board see if that works. if it does then its the keyboard on the laptop.
Either get repaired or replace the Mac Book or just use the external kb.

schaut

Try installing the software again. i have had problems solved by this simple act! Also try booting into safe mode. Try using another version of software. i have 2 MacBook pros from 2010 that are doing great!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

juan_uy wrote:

Jerry,

I can't help with your issue, but I suggest you look for a witch or similar who can do a "bad energy" cleanse on your house

I have one on retainer. I couldn't live without her constant help.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Earnest Botello wrote:

Try a USB keyboard.

I'll probably do that eventually, but that ruins the portability. I installed a Samsung SSD, so I might remove it and use it in something else. I can probably get a few dollars for the MBP on eBay as "For Parts." It's odd that it's two full rows of keys that don't work, and this happened from one use to another.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Nalu wrote:

Although good, they don't last forever. Time to replace the keyboard?, assuming they are available?

I couldn't justify the price.

Here's one for $20, but it mentions that some keys might not work - have to fiddle (technical term) with the ribbon cable.

https://www.amazon.com/Padarsey-Replacement-Keyboard-MacBook-13-inch/dp/B01M03H4HO

braindamage Loc: Appley Bridge, Lancs, U.K.

Hi Jerry I had a recent problem with my 2013 Pro. The trackpad stopped working so I presumed it had failed. Only when the laptop failed completely did I find the cause. It was the battery pack that had failed and swelled up in size so much that when I took the screws out the back case popped up about a 1/4"! Once a new battery was fitted the trackpad now works like new. Might be worth checking for the sake of a few screws?

Jazztrader

Before you spend money and time on solutions, you may want to give Apple support a call. My experience is that they are efficient at diagnosing and solving almost anything Apple.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

braindamage wrote:

Hi Jerry I had a recent problem with my 2013 Pro. The trackpad stopped working so I presumed it had failed. Only when the laptop failed completely did I find the cause. It was the battery pack that had failed and swelled up in size so much that when I took the screws out the back case popped up about a 1/4"! Once a new battery was fitted the trackpad now works like new. Might be worth checking for the sake of a few screws?

One nice thing about this old one is that it's easy to take apart. At some point, Apple designed it's own screws so regular screwdrivers don't fit. I replaced the HDD with an SSD. I'll check the battery today, but it hasn't distorted the case, and it's not hot.

RGreenway Loc: Morristown, New Jersey

Sounds like a connector issue. Like where the keyboard plugs into or onto a board inside perhaps it somehow worked a bit loose? Or you could try some contact cleaner on the connector.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

RGreenway wrote:

Sounds like a connector issue. Like where the keyboard plugs into or onto a board inside perhaps it somehow worked a bit loose? Or you could try some contact cleaner on the connector.

Ah, good idea. There's a $20 replacement kbd on Amazon, and the description says that if the ribbon cable isn't connected right, some keys won't work.

EDIT: Definitely not! I watched this video, and there is just too much disassembly. The last step is to remove 51 screws holding the kbd in place. "The keyboard cable is the most difficult connection to make."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEs6Nl34xuc

cbabcock

braindamage wrote:

Hi Jerry I had a recent problem with my 2013 Pro. The trackpad stopped working so I presumed it had failed. Only when the laptop failed completely did I find the cause. It was the battery pack that had failed and swelled up in size so much that when I took the screws out the back case popped up about a 1/4"! Once a new battery was fitted the trackpad now works like new. Might be worth checking for the sake of a few screws?

That's exactly what happened to my wife's Pro. I googled, found an article that suggested the battery being the cause, replaced the battery, and back to normal.