keyboard issue on my MacBook

[Ashleyyyy]

i have a Late 2011 15" MBP which has a weird keyboard problem. 

the caps lock key needs to be pressed down kinda hard for it to register, but that's not a big deal. what's more of an issue is that the backspace key is really sensitive, and just resting my finger on it is enough to activate it, which is really annoying. 

how can i fix this?

also don't bother with the "just get a new laptop". i don't want to. 

[Wufflez]

Have you checked under the key if there's something blocking the actuation of the key?

[DrMacintosh]

You could try taking the key cap off and seeing what's under there. 

[Ashleyyyy]

2 minutes ago, Wufflez said:

Have you checked under the key if there's something blocking the actuation of the key?

under caps lock? i can't really pry it up enough to see under it, but it doesn't feel mushy and presses down as far as the other keys. 

 

1 minute ago, DrMacintosh said:

You could try taking the key cap off and seeing what's under there. 

i'm scared to do that, because this thing is old and the plastic is kinda brittle because of that. if i have to i'll take the key off but i'd rather not. 

[Lagercat1]

try like blowing air under key or try unplugging the keyboard and plug it in again (if you are good at taking stuff apart)

[Ashleyyyy]

1 minute ago, Lagercat1 said:

try like blowing air under key

i'll try that. 

 

2 minutes ago, Lagercat1 said:

or try unplugging the keyboard and plug it in again (if you are good at taking stuff apart)

that would require a full teardown, and since this is the only system i use now i don't wanna do that. 

[Wufflez]

1 hour ago, firelighter487 said:

under caps lock? i can't really pry it up enough to see under it, but it doesn't feel mushy and presses down as far as the other keys. 

 

i'm scared to do that, because this thing is old and the plastic is kinda brittle because of that. if i have to i'll take the key off but i'd rather not. 

If it breaks, then you can get a replacement key for like $3-4. Sometimes less if you search. I'd rather break it than have an annoying key

[Ashleyyyy]

1 minute ago, Wufflez said:

If it breaks, then you can get a replacement key for like $3-4. Sometimes less if you search. I'd rather break it than have an annoying key

well backspace is a pretty essential key, and this is my only computer at the moment. 

[seagate_surfer]

You can use this tester online keyboard, it is very useful when it comes to troubleshooting:
https://www.keyboardtester.com/tester.html

[Wufflez]

38 minutes ago, seagate_surfer said:

You can use this tester online keyboard, it is very useful when it comes to troubleshooting:
https://www.keyboardtester.com/tester.html

oh wow this is useless. I actually need this for something. Thank you

[seagate_surfer]

Never mind! 

[Guest]

If blowing some compressed air under the keycap doesn't help, 
I would suggest that it's possible wear and tear. If you don't feel comfortable doing some of the suggestions your self, you may find your self in the situation of having to take it to a computer repairer .... if you can find a trustworthy one. 

[seagate_surfer]

6 minutes ago, Fallen Soul said:

If blowing some compressed air under the keycap doesn't help, 
I would suggest that it's possible wear and tear. If you don't feel comfortable doing some of the suggestions your self, you may find your self in the situation of having to take it to a computer repairer .... if you can find a trustworthy one. 

One thing I do to find stores is to look up the following words in google maps: "Compu", "Computer repair". For example, I just searched in Australia because that is the location that appears in your profile and here I see many results too:

• https://goo.gl/o9yfgV

Then I can see what are the opinions from the comments of the people or check the rates, or call, etc... I have tried this search in several cities around the world because I am a member of several communities on the internet in 3 different languages and this seems to work anywhere. For some reason, the word "Compu" is a universal word that appears somewhere in the name of the stores related to information technology regardless of their mother language. 

[Guest]

26 minutes ago, seagate_surfer said:

One thing I do to find stores is to look up the following words in google maps: "Compu", "Computer repair". For example, I just searched in Australia because that is the location that appears in your profile and here I see many results too:

• https://goo.gl/o9yfgV

Then I can see what are the opinions from the comments of the people or check the rates, or call, etc... I have tried this search in several cities around the world because I am a member of several communities on the internet in 3 different languages and this seems to work anywhere. For some reason, the word "Compu" is a universal word that appears somewhere in the name of the stores related to information technology regardless of their mother language. 

 

Wait, what? ...... You sound like you have just as much time on your hands as I do, to look up random stuff like that. 

[seagate_surfer]

Well, actually what I have is a lot of fun helping people (And yet some time available but not as much as I wish) and I also learn a lot from the communities, for example checking the comments of people in google maps!