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Model A1369, 1.6, 1.7, or 1.8 GHz Processor, 64, 128 or 256GB Flash Storage

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All keys work but Power Button

I have a MB Air 1.7 core i5. All keys work except the power button. If I connect a power source and lift the closed lid it will boot to desktop.

All else seems normal.

I can only shut it down using Shutdown under the Apple on the Menu Bar.

As this MB Air is inherited I would suspect liquid damage.

Are there steps I can take to isolate the problem and a possible fix.MBAir,

(Typed and posted from the defective power button MB Air)

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

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After popping off the bottom cover carefully short across the power pads which are near the keyboard ribbon cable. They are the two square solder pads circled here:

Block Image

Here you want to emulate holding the power switch to force a system to shutdown. Then disconnect the battery after which you'll want to pull the keyboard ribbon cable (review the steps in the IFIXIT guide below). Using an external keyboard & mouse/trackpad (USB or Bluetooth) reconnect the battery and now using the pads start the system up as you don't have the internal keyboard & trackpad working (disconnected) use the external keyboard & mouse to test things out. Shutdown the system from the menu is it staying shutdown?

  • Tip: using a small piece of electrical tape create a pull tab to stick on the ribbon to help in removing it and also re-inserting it. Don't forget releasing the catch and relatchng it afterwards! And don't break it, it's very delicate!

At this point you'll likely need to either try cleaning the keyboard or replacing it. Follow this IFIXIT guide: MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement it will get you mostly there. Here's a YouTube vid on it: Replace liquid damaged keyboard of 2011 Apple Macbook Air. Lastly, here a link to what you can find on eBay: MacBook keyboards. Get one with the extra rivets as you will likely need them.

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Have you tried resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)?

Heres an article on the Apple support website: Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)

Hope this helps

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To reset the SMC you need a working power button

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Thanks for the suggestion to reset SMC. There is no response from the Power Button.

Further inspection shows that "The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog" types correctly. However the "right slant and question mark" key does not. I will assume it is a bad keyboard and have it replaced. Thanks.

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grad will be eternally grateful.
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