Strange keyboard issue

[jfefleming]

Hi all,

I'm running a 2014 Macbook Air which, apart from this one weird issue, is working fine.

Recently, the "+" is not reliably working. This is not an issue with the key mechanism itself. "=+ (i.e., the same key, without pressing shift) works fine. similarly, bith shift keys are working as normal_. however if i press Shift & = to get a +, it works only inconsistently - sometimes i have to press the combination a few times, or press extra firmly. Any idea as to what might be going on?

Thanks

 

[jfefleming]

Update, this also seems to be happening with the combination of either shift key and my up and right arrows...

 

[TonyAguila]

Update, this also seems to be happening with the combination of either shift key and my up and right arrows...

From your description, I would guess that it’s a software issue. As long as you have reliable backups, preferably Time Machine, I would first try reinstalling macOS. After all, the reinstallation will not cost you anything except for the time spent, and I consider this good time spent.

But if you want to try first, from the menu bar, select the keyboard and see if you have more than one keyboard layout loaded. If you have just one, select Open Keyboard Settings… to display the source(s) installed. If you have just one, click on the + button (bottom left) to display the list of available layouts. Assuming you are using an English layout, the ABC layout should be selected. If you scroll all the way down, you should see U.S. Select it and click on Add. Now you will have at least two layouts available. Select the one that you just added and see what happens. You can also pick Show Keyboard Viewer from the menu bar to see if the keys are reacting to the ones you press.

If you get the same problems, before concluding that it’s a hardware issue, you should try a macOS reinstallation first.

It has been a while since I had Mac laptop so I don’t remember if there are keyboard cleaning solutions available, either compressed air or lubricant sprays. I hope the software refresh will fix the issue.

 

[Rodananne]

If you have trouble with the "any key starts up my Mac" issue. I have a handy utility called KeyboardCleanTool. It disables all keys for cleaning putposes.