Keep Your MacBook Keyboard Clean

Over time, your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro keyboard may accumulate dust and other debris which can lead to sticky or malfunctioning keys. This guide will show you how to clean your laptop keyboard.

If you have a MacBook Pro from 2016 – 2019, a MacBook Air from 2018 – 2019, or a MacBook from 2015 – 2017 Apple has determined that a small percentage of these keyboards may exhibit one or more of the following behaviours:

• Letters or characters repeat unexpectedly,
• Letters or characters do not appear,
• Key(s) feel “sticky” or do not respond in a consistent manner.

Apple service may be eligible for those models free of charge. The type of service will be determined after the keyboard is examined and may involve the replacement of one or more keys or the whole keyboard. In the case that Apple will not service your device, contact us and we can service your MacBook.

Surface Debris

Getting rid of the dirt and oils that accumulate over time keeps a keyboard or laptop looking new and prevents the grunge from creeping down into the keyboard’s switches where it can do real damage.

1. Shut down your MacBook.
2. Hold your Mac at a 75-degree angle, so it’s not quite vertical.
3. To dislodge any loose debris from between the keys, tap the edges of the keyboard or laptop.
4. With the MacBook on a table, dampen a small area of a dry and clean lint-free cloth or paper towel. 
5. Then, gently wipe away the surface dirt and oils that accumulated on the keys. 
6. Turn the cloth or paper towel frequently so that you’re removing debris rather than pushing it around.
7. Use an alcohol-dampened cotton swab to get at corners or small spaces or to loosen stubborn grime.

Isopropyl Alcohol evaporates quickly, so if you keep swabs and paper towels only damp, you shouldn’t need to dry off anything.

Deeper Cleaning

When keys stick or debris is lodged under a key, do a deep cleaning.

1. Shut down your MacBook.
2. Press each key to ensure that the keycaps are properly seated in place.
3. Ensure that the action on the keys is consistent and that key travel isn’t stopped by any debris.
4. Hold your Mac notebook at a 75-degree angle, so it’s not quite vertical.
5. Use compressed air to spray the keyboard, or just the affected keys, in a left-to-right motion.
6. Rotate your Mac notebook to its right side and spray the keyboard again, from left to right.
7. Repeat the action, this time with your Mac notebook rotated to its left side. 

Remember, spray compressed air in short bursts towards the spacing between each row of keys in a zig-zag pattern.

Book A Service

If your MacBook is still suffering from sticky or malfunctioning keys or have another issue with your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro, contact our team today.