macbook pro early 2011, z and x keys not working

[Mctintin]

Hi I am new to this form so please forgive me if I am not following protocol correctly.

I use a 13 inch early 2011 Macbook pro, which I have upgraded over the years to 16GB or memory and a 500 GB SSD hardrive.

I am using mcOS Sierra, 10.12.6.

My problem. The x and z keys do not work! Well when I say they do not work, generally they are unresponsive. Sometimes if you hold down x for about 6 seconds it starts to work and I can use x and z for a short time. Then they become unresponsive again. Recently this functionality has also stopped. I have used Karabiner to remap the z and x up onto function keys to restore some sanity to my work flow. Working with a bluetooth keyboard on top of my existing keyboard has provided some amusement to those around me.

I have tried reinstalling the OS, doing PRAM resets, trying to clean under the keys. Also tried cleaning the connection where the keyboard goes into the motherboard (just above the battery). Have not tried looking under the battery as I don't have the correct tool to remove that screw yet. I read somewhere that older batteries can warp and press against connections....

Anyways just wondering if anybody on this forum has experienced similar issues with very few unresponsive keys on an elderly macbook pro. Seems quite random. I cannot trace the lack of functionality to any event (there were no drops, that I know of, spills, or anything like that). The computer is of course getting old and it may just be an issue of old circuitry, I have no idea. Hardware, software, seems like hardware.

If hardware then putting in a new keyboard is a bit tricky right?

Thanks for any advice that anybody has the time to give.

 

[chscag]

Welcome to our forums.

It sounds like there may be bad or intermittent contacts on those keys you're having a problem with. Yes, your 2011 MacBook Pro is going on 7 years old and it is not unusual for some keys on the keyboard to begin to wear out. Since there were no spills or drops, it's likely that the keyboard contacts are worn. It's possible to replace the keyboard but you need to consider if it's worth it or not. You can visually check the battery to see if it's warped upward and possibly pressing on the keyboard. Replacing the battery will be less costly than replacing the keyboard if that's what's causing the keys to fail.

You should be able to do any work like replacing the keyboard or battery yourself. Check the procedures for doing that at www.ifixit.com.