MacBook Keyboard Specialists
Apple keyboards are beautiful but notoriously difficult to repair. Whether you have the infamous "Butterfly" keyboard that repeats letters, or a liquid-damaged MacBook Pro that won't turn on, our Headingley lab has the specialized tools to fix it.
The "Butterfly" Effect
Between 2016 and 2019, Apple used the "Butterfly" mechanism. While ultra-thin, it is prone to failure from even a single speck of dust. Keys get stuck, fail to register, or type double letters (e.g., "Leeeds").
Apple's official solution is often to replace the entire "Top Case" (keyboard + battery + trackpad + aluminium chassis), costing £400+. At Leeds Computer & Laptop Repairs, we offer deeper level repairs.
We can painstakingly replace individual keys if the mechanism is intact, or drill out the 50+ tiny rivets holding the keyboard in place to fit a new one without replacing the expensive battery and aluminium shell. This saves you hundreds of pounds.
Models We Cover
MacBook Air (2010 - M3 2024)
From the classic A1466 (easy to fix) to the M1/M2/M3 A2337 models. The newer Airs require complete logic board removal to access the keyboard. We handle this delicately.
MacBook Pro (Retina & Touch Bar)
Touch Bar models are complex. The Touch Bar itself is fragile glass. We have the expertise to work around it, replacing the keyboard below without damaging the OLED strip.
MacBook (12-inch Retina)
The thinnest Mac ever made uses the first-gen Butterfly keys. These are extremely difficult to service but we support them where parts are available.
Why Not Go To The Apple Store?
We love Apple products, but their repair prices can be eye-watering.
- Cost: We are typically 30-50% cheaper than the Genius Bar for out-of-warranty repairs.
- Data Safety: Apple often wipes devices during repair. We never delete your data.
- Liquid Damage: Apple usually refuses to touch liquid-damaged Macs, quoting for a full logic board swap. We actually clean and repair the existing board.
Turnaround Time
Mac repairs take longer than PCs due to the number of screws (often 50+).
- Single Keys: Same Day / While you wait.
- Full Keyboard: 2-3 Working Days.
- Part Ordering: Allow 24hrs for rare models.
MacBook Keyboard FAQs
Specifics for Apple users.
My backlight works but keys don't.
This is common with liquid damage. The backlight is a separate layer of LEDs. The actual keyboard matrix has failed. A replacement keyboard is needed.
Is it worth fixing an old MacBook Air?
For 2013-2017 models (A1466), absolutely. Use genuine parts are cheap and these machines are workhorses. For 2018-2019 models, it depends on the cost, but usually yes, it's cheaper than a new £1000 laptop.
Do you use Genuine Apple parts?
We use high-quality OEM parts. Apple often doesn't sell keyboard-only parts (they only sell the whole top case). Our suppliers source the keyboard units directly from the factories that supply Apple.