MacBooks are great, but sometimes their keys can get a little finicky, making it difficult to type. If you need to replace or clean underneath them, don’t worry – it’s a pretty easy process. In this guide, we’ll walk you through step-by-step instructions on how to clean your MacBook keyboard.
Before you start, you’ll need a Phillips flathead screwdriver. This makes the process a lot easier. On MacBook Pros, on the left side of the key on the top and bottom, there are two pins. It’s best to go down through the bottom, but if you snap one pin out, it will allow you to pop the entire key assembly out.
Not only will you get the key, but you’ll also get the mechanism with it. You’ll need to remove the mechanism from the actual key cap, even if you’re just doing a cleaning.
Once you’ve cleaned or haven’t cleaned like me, you’ll notice that there are three hooks. These hooks play a big role in replacing the key. Bring the key in already scissored, either flat or scissored. However, scissoring the key makes it a lot easier for you. Make sure it’s in the main hook down on the right side, then snap the little plastic pins into the side hooks.
There’s one on the bottom and one on the top. Do the bottom first because it makes things easier. Once you’ve got one hooked in, you can then take your screwdriver to pop the other one back in nice and easy. Once the mechanism is in place, you can test it by pulling up on the main piece and make sure that it does indeed scissor.
All you need to do is take the key, press it back on straight, and easy. Then you’re good to go. Your key is back on your computer, and you’re in business.
The MacBook Air is the opposite of the MacBook Pro. It’s a little bit hard to take the key off, but quite a bit easier to put it back on. Taking the key off uses the same concept, but they’re pretty tight. Putting the key back uses the same scissor concept as before, and there are four hooks that you need to concern yourself with.
Not just the standard one and two clips on the MacBook Pro, but hook in from the top with the smaller scissor and then simply snap on the bottom. Then take your key and place it straight on, snap it in, and you’re set.
Each Apple laptop over the years applies different concepts to how the keys are assembled. However, all of them use this scissor concept. Don’t be afraid to peak underneath the key to see how you can get it apart.
Cleaning your MacBook keyboard is simple if you follow these steps. Thanks for reading and happy typing!