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hances are, if you own a MacBook, you’re using it for work or education. So, it can be incredibly frustrating when you have to stop and search for why are my MacBook keys sticking. Whether you’re a professional writer, a college student, or someone who works from home, you don’t have time to waste on technical issues.
Fortunately, there are a few ways to fix this common problem from the comfort of your own home. In this guide, we’ll go over all the ways to fix your MacBook keys when they start to stick.
Table of Contents
The first step to solving your MacBook keys sticking: Clean the keys
The first step when you run into the dreaded MacBook keys sticking issue is to simply clean them. Over time all kinds of debris like; dirt, dust, food, and whatever else has been on your fingers can accumulate on the surface of your keys. This, over time, makes them more difficult to press down properly – hence they stick.
To clean them, first turn off your MacBook to avoid any accidental keystrokes, or worse, damage. This is an important step that is often glanced over, make sure to fully turn off your device before proceeding any further as the parts under the keyboard can be extremely delicate.
Once you’re happy your device is completely powered down, use a microfiber cloth or compressed air to clean each key. You can also use a damp cloth with a bit of mild soap if there are any stubborn stains or residue. If you decide to do this, make sure your cloth is just damp, you don’t want any water getting stuck in the crevices around your keys.
Once you’ve cleaned the keys, make sure they’re completely dry before turning your MacBook back on.
The MacBook keyboard uses an interesting style, where the keys are sunken into the device. It can lead to build-ups like these easily, if you’re getting frustrated by it – it may be time to turn to an external keyboard.
A great first option would be this one, as it’s affordable, well-built and uses a much easier-to-clean keyboard style.
Stop your MacBook keys sticking with a silicone cover
Another way to prevent your MacBook keys sticking is to use a silicone cover. These covers not only protect your MacBook from spills, dust, and other debris but also offer a layer of protection against key sticking.
The soft, flexible material stops any unwanted debris from getting under your keys. It also provides a nice feel that many users love. They can also prevent a spill from damaging your device, they’re definitely a good purchase for any Mac owner.
Silicone covers are available online or in most electronics stores and are easy to install.
MacBook keys sticking still? Cross your keyboard settings off
Another cause of your MacBook keys sticking could be your keyboard settings. Sometimes, when your MacBook keys are sticking, it’s due to the way you’ve set up your keyboard or trackpad settings.
To check this, go to System Preferences by typing it into your search bar, then, click on Keyboard, and then Keyboard Preferences. From there, you can adjust the keyboard delay and repeat settings to make typing easier. You can also adjust the trackpad sensitivity if you notice that your fingers are slipping or sliding too much.
This isn’t often the cause, but you should always check it off your potential causes before moving to the next step.
If your MacBook keys sticking issue hasn't been resolved, try this
If you’ve tried the above steps and still have sticky MacBook keys, it may be time to bring it to a professional. A certified Apple technician can take a closer look at your MacBook, diagnose the issue, and provide the necessary repairs.
This may involve replacing the entire keyboard or individual keys, depending on the severity of the problem. While this option may come with a higher price tag, they will make sure it’s fixed.
Unfortunately, this issue can still occur, as MacBooks age the keyboards tend to stick more often. Another solution that is kinder to your wallet is a third-party seller. You can purchase high-quality external keyboards for a fraction of the cost of the repair at an Apple technician.
This is a recommended route, as you can pick up devices to suit your needs. Whether that’s Bluetooth, wired, customisable backlighting or more. A seller we’d recommend is this one here.
Conclusion:
Experiencing your MacBook keys sticking can be a frustrating issue to deal with, especially if you’re using your MacBook for work or school.However, there are several ways to address this problem from the comfort of your own home. By cleaning your keys, using a silicone cover, adjusting your keyboard settings, or bringing it to a professional, you can get your MacBook keyboard back to its normal functioning state.
If you’re on a budget, or looking for a change, make sure to check out a third-party seller for some high-quality keyboard alternatives that won’t let you down.
