Keycap Replacement

Keycap Replacement

Topic

Service packages of replacement keycaps are available for MacBook Air (Mid 2011, Mid 2012, Mid 2013, Early 2014, and Early 2015) models. The packages allow you to replace individual keycaps rather than the entire top case.

The following instructions explain how to remove and replace a keycap and scissor mechanism (plastic piece under keycap that secures keycap to top case) on MacBook Air (Mid 2011 or later) models. If a keycap needs replacement due to accidental damage, such as a liquid spill, refer to OP14: Determining and quoting accidental damage for Mac portables.

To help determine keyboard localization or keycap placement, refer to HT201794: How to identify keyboard localizations.

Notes:

• Keycap kits are available for International English, U.S. English, and Japanese version keyboards.
• A European Special Character Kit is available with British (B), German (D), French (F), Danish (DK), Italian (T), Spanish (E), and Swedish (S) specific keycap characters.
• Note: To receive the proper keycaps to complete a single British, German, French, Danish, Italian, Spanish or Swedish keyboard, order both the European Special Character Kit and the ISO English keycap kit. Neither kit by itself contains all the keycaps necessary for a single localized keyboard.
• Always shut down the computer before replacing a keycap.

Identifying Keycaps and Scissors

Different types of keycap packages are offered based on computer model and keyboard type (Versions D and S).

Table Caption: This table lists part numbers for MacBook Air keyboards, specifying the compatible computer models, keyboard version, and supported languages. It differentiates between ANSI and ISO English layouts, as well as Japanese and European Special Character Kit options.

The MacBook Air (13-inch, Mid 2012 and later) uses Version D and Version S keyboards. The scissors for both versions D and S keyboards function the same, but have a slightly different design. Be sure to match only Version D keycaps to Version D scissors/keyboards and Version S keycaps to Version S scissors/keyboards.

The photos below identify Version D and Version S scissors.

Version D scissors

Version S scissors

Keycap Map

The following illustrations summarize the differences in removing keycaps on the MacBook Air (Mid 2011 and later) keyboards. For detailed instructions, see the Procedure section below.

MacBook Air (11-inch, Mid 2011 and later)

MacBook Air (13-inch, Mid 2011 and later)

• Yellow: No stabilizer bar under key cap
• Orange: Hooked stabilizer bar under key cap (two hooked bars under Space Bar)
• Blue: Straight stabilizer bar under key cap
• Stripes:
• No Stripes: Lift key from the lower corners
• Stripes: Lift key from the upper corners

Procedure

Use the following steps to remove a defective keycap and replace it with a new keycap and scissors from the service keycap package. When replacing a keycap replace the scissors below it.

Because the design of the keycap and scissor mechanism differs depending on the shape of the key, the procedure is divided into four parts:

• Square keys and small rectangular keys (for example, letters A-Z, numbers, punctuation, function keys, 1. and arrow keys). These use one scissor mechanism beneath the key.
• Large rectangular keys (for example, Shift, Delete, Return). These use one or two scissor mechanisms 2. and one stabilizer bar (no stabilizer bar on bottom row, rectangular keys).
• Space bar . This uses two scissor mechanisms and two metal stabilizer bars. 3.
• Top row keys . This only applies to MacBook Air (11-inch, Mid 2011, Mid 2012). This uses no scissor 4. mechanism and one hooked metal stabilizer bar.

Note on illustrations: Most of the steps are illustrated with Version D scissors. However, the steps are the same for Version S scissors except where indicated.

Important: Shut down the computer before replacing a keycap.

Removing and Replacing Square Keys and Small Rectangular Keys

1. Pry the key up from the lower edge-first at one corner and then at the other. Exception: Pry the Up Arrow keycap from the upper edge.

2. Pry and remove the scissor mechanism from the keycap well.

3. Check the rubber dome and raised metal areas inside the keycap well.

4. When the rubber dome is pressed and released, it should spring back upright. If the rubber dome is off center or damaged, replace the top case.

5. If the metal hook that holds the slider bar of the scissor mechanism is bent, try to bend it back to a uniform 90-degree angle. If it is bent or broken beyond repair, replace the top case.

6. If the two metal ears are