Replacing a loose or broken key on your MacBook

A key has popped off your MacBook, sits crooked, or you pulled it off by accident while cleaning. A loose key can often simply be put back, and a broken key can often be replaced on its own without replacing the whole keyboard. This article explains how a MacBook key is built, how to put a key back and when to have a key on your MacBook replaced.

Blue Apple repairs MacBook keyboards in Amsterdam, from one key to the whole keyboard.

How is a MacBook key built?

Under every keycap there is a small hinge (a scissor or, on the butterfly keyboard, a butterfly mechanism) and a rubber or silicone dome that provides the click. The cap clips onto the hinge with tiny hooks. Large keys, such as the space bar and Shift, also have a metal stabiliser bar underneath.

Which keyboard do you have?

• Scissor keyboard: MacBooks up to 2015 and from 2019/2020 (Magic Keyboard). Caps are fairly sturdy.
• Butterfly keyboard: MacBook Pro 2016-2019, MacBook Air 2018-2019, 12 inch MacBook. The caps are very thin and break easily.

See which MacBook do I have.

Putting a loose key back

1. Check whether the hinge is still on the keyboard and intact. If it is in the cap, remove it carefully.
2. Put the hinge back on the keyboard, into the hooks. It should lie flat and move freely.
3. Place the cap straight on the hinge and press gently first on one side and then the other until it clicks.
4. Test that the key springs back and types.

On the butterfly keyboard the mechanism is so thin that refitting is tricky; do not force anything.

When is replacement needed?

• A hook on the cap has broken off.
• The hinge is broken or bent.
• The key no longer springs back, even after refitting.
• The key is melted, cracked or the letter is worn away.

Separate caps and hinges are sold, but they differ per model and even per key. A wrong part does not fit or breaks the keyboard.

The key is on but does not work

Then it is not the cap, but the contact underneath, dirt or moisture. See cleaning the keyboard safely and MacBook keyboard not working. If several keys do not work, the whole keyboard often needs replacing; see replacing a MacBook keyboard.

A key with a worn letter

After years of typing, letters wear off frequently used keys such as A, E and S, or the caps get shiny. That is only cosmetic; the key still works. If you want it tidy anyway, individual caps can be replaced. Make sure the cap matches your layout, because a US and an international keyboard have different characters in some places and a differently shaped Return key.

Preventing keys from popping off

• Never pry under a cap while cleaning.
• Do not use a keyboard cover that fits too tightly; it can pull caps off.
• Do not leave anything between screen and keyboard when closing the MacBook.

What we do at Blue Apple in Amsterdam

We refit loose keys, replace caps and hinges with the right part for your model, and check that the contact underneath works properly. You hear beforehand what it costs. More on our page about MacBook keyboard repair.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a key from another model?

Usually not. The hooks and sizes differ per model, and sometimes even per production year.

My space bar wobbles. What is wrong?

Often the stabiliser bar is loose. It can usually be refitted.

I no longer have the cap. Is it still possible?

Yes, with a replacement cap for your model.