Repair video
MacBook Air keyboard replacement after a spill
A spill on this MacBook Air damaged its keyboard. We took it apart, replaced the keyboard inside the original top case, and put it back together.
MacBook Keyboard Replacement in Charlotte
Keys dead or sticky after a spill, or a worn butterfly keyboard? We replace MacBook keyboards in University City, often without a whole new top case. Free diagnostic first, 90-day warranty.
Free diagnosticfree diagnostic
Given with quoteturnaround
90 dayswarranty
The short answer
Bring it in or mail it in. We open the MacBook, check how far any spill reached, then take the old keyboard out of the top case and fit a new one, screw by screw. Apple usually replaces the whole top case for a keyboard fault; on many models we replace just the keyboard. The diagnostic is free, you approve a firm quote before any work starts, and every repair carries our 90-day warranty.
Signs you need this repair
Keys that stopped working after a spill
Liquid reached the keyboard. Some keys go dead, others type twice or on their own. The board underneath may need cleaning too.
Sticky or crunchy keys
Dried drink residue under the keycaps. It rarely clears on its own, and prying keycaps off often breaks the clips.
Keys repeating or skipping
Common on the 2016 to 2019 butterfly keyboards, and after liquid gets under the switches on any model.
Backlight dead or patchy
The backlight is a separate layer under the keyboard. Liquid and corrosion can take out part of it or all of it.
Missing or broken keycaps
A cap that won't clip back on, or a switch broken underneath it.
Keyboard works, trackpad or Touch ID doesn't
They share the top case and its cables. We check all of it before quoting.
What usually causes it
Spills
The most common reason for a new keyboard. Coffee, soda and juice leave sticky, corrosive residue between the switches.
Butterfly keyboard wear
The 2016 to 2019 MacBook and MacBook Pro keyboards fail from dust and debris under very shallow switches.
Crumbs and dust
Debris under a switch stops it registering or makes it stick.
Prying keycaps off
Keycap clips are tiny and break easily. A broken clip or switch can't be glued back reliably.
How we fix it
- 1Free check-in and test
We note which keys, the backlight, the trackpad and the ports work, and look for signs of liquid. If it was a spill, we don't keep powering it on.
- 2Bottom case off, battery disconnected
We disconnect the battery as soon as it's open, so no current runs through any wet or corroded areas.
- 3Strip the top case
On most MacBooks the keyboard is fixed into the top case from inside. The board, battery, speakers and cables come out to reach it.
- 4Old keyboard out
The old keyboard and its backlight come out of the top case. Any spill residue on the top case and board is cleaned off.
- 5New keyboard in
The new keyboard is fitted and screwed down one screw at a time, then the backlight and shields go back in place.
- 6Rebuild and test every key
Everything goes back in, and we test every key, the backlight, the trackpad, charging and every port before you collect it.
On our bench
MacBook Air keyboard replacement after a spill. Watch the full repair, step by step
Keyboard only or a full top case
Apple's usual fix is a new top case with the keyboard already in it. That isn't always necessary. We tell you which option fits your MacBook at the free diagnostic.
Keyboard only
The old keyboard comes out of your existing top case and a new one goes in. This is what the repair videos on this page show.
Full top case
When the top case itself is bent, cracked or badly corroded, or a model's keyboard can't be replaced on its own.
Spill clean-up included
If liquid caused it, we check and clean the board while it's open. Board damage found after a spill is quoted separately, before we do it.
How long it takes
A keyboard replacement means taking almost the whole MacBook apart and putting it back together, so it isn't a while-you-wait job. We confirm the timing with your quote, once we know whether the keyboard alone needs replacing or the spill reached the board too. Mail-in repairs are back in 7 to 10 days.
Models we repair
MacBook AirMacBook ProMacBook
From our bench
SPILLKeys
Repair video
MacBook keyboard replacement after a liquid spill
This silver MacBook came in after a liquid spill. We took it down to the top case, swapped the old keyboard for a new one, then put it back together and powered it on.
4.9★ on Google
What customers say
★★★★★
… I originally brought it in with my external hard drive, hoping to just get the few files off the laptop BUT in less than an hour Michael had the old faithful laptop back up and running.Chozen Child · Laptop repair · Google review
★★★★★
Michael if We Save Data is AMAZING!! He is definitely the guru of this business! Michael restored my laptop after I locked myself out, could not remember the password and no longer had access to my old email account. …Alana Gibbs · Laptop repair · Google review
★★★★★
… This company ordered the part and repaired my laptop in a timely fashion for an inexpensive price. …Aniya Smith · Laptop repair · Google review
Real customer reviews from Google and Yelp, quoted word for word. … marks where a longer review was shortened.
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Protect your MacBook and everything else at home
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How Covered works1
Every repair
90-day warranty
On parts and workmanship.
2
This MacBook and your household
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When something breaks
Fixed here, on our bench
Bring it in and we handle the claim with you.
Before you bring it in
- If it was a spill, power it off, unplug it and don't turn it back on to test it.
- Back up your files if the MacBook still works. Time Machine or iCloud Drive is fine.
- Make a note of which keys don't work, or take a photo of the keyboard.
- Tell us what was spilled and when, if that's what happened.
- Bring the charger if you have it.
Repair or replace?
On an Apple Silicon MacBook Air or Pro, a new keyboard is almost always worth it. The rest of the machine has years left, and a keyboard-only repair usually costs less than a full top case. On an older Intel MacBook that can't run current macOS, compare the quote with the price of a newer model. If a spill also damaged the board, we tell you before any work starts, so you can decide with the full picture.
Thinking of fixing it yourself?
Replacing a MacBook keyboard is one of the hardest repairs on the machine. On most models it means removing the board, battery and speakers, then dozens of tiny screws, and some keyboards are riveted in. Prying keycaps off to clean underneath usually breaks the clips. If keys are sticky after a spill, stop using it and bring it in. Opened it already and got stuck? We can finish the job.
After your repair
- Keep drinks off the desk next to the MacBook, or use a lidded cup.
- Clean the keyboard with the lid open at an angle and short bursts of compressed air. Don't pry the keycaps off.
- Use a keyboard cover only if it's thin. Thick covers can press on the screen when the lid is closed.
- If something gets spilled again, power it off straight away and bring it in.
Questions people ask
Can you replace just the keyboard, or does it need a whole top case?
On many models we replace just the keyboard inside your existing top case, as in the videos on this page. If the top case itself is damaged, or the model needs it, we quote a full top case. You'll know which before any work starts.
How much does a MacBook keyboard replacement cost?
It depends on the model, and on whether a spill reached anything else. The diagnostic is free and you approve a firm quote before we start.
I spilled on my MacBook and some keys stopped working. Is it just the keyboard?
Sometimes. Liquid that gets past the keyboard can reach the board underneath. We check and clean the board while it's open, and quote anything else it needs before doing it.
Will I lose my data?
A keyboard replacement doesn't touch your storage. Back up first if the MacBook still works, as you would before any repair.
Do you replace butterfly keyboards?
Yes. The 2016 to 2019 MacBook and MacBook Pro butterfly keyboards are some of the most common keyboard repairs we see.
Will the backlight work afterwards?
The backlight is part of the job. We test it with every key before the MacBook goes back to you.
Is there a warranty?
Yes. Every repair has a 90-day warranty on parts and workmanship.
How long does it take?
We confirm the timing with your quote. Mail-in repairs are back in 7 to 10 days.
Can I mail my MacBook in?
Yes. Pack it well and ship it from anywhere in the US. Return shipping is free and insured.
Related repairs
Free checks from our technicians
Before you book
Nationwide
Mail-in repair from anywhere in the U.S.
Free diagnostic when it arrives. Free insured shipping back.
- 1Tell us your model and the problem
- 2Ship it insured. We diagnose it within a day
- 3Approve the price. Fixed and back in 7–10 days