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Does keyboard functional problems necessarily mean a new keyboard?

I've been browsing through the Q&A threads for a while now, mainly regarding coffee spills on MB Air (mid 2011, 13'') keyboards. My question is, does functional problems on some of the keys (2-9 in my case) necessarily mean a new keyboard, or can the old and dysfunctional one be just "swept" clean from the inside? According to some of the older answers taking apart the keyboard is not entirely easy, and may result in additional damage to the keyboard?

Are there established techs capable of doing this repair near Sweden/Northern Europe? If not, thorough instructions on dismantling the laptop seem to be available.

Thanks for your help!

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Can you tell us if the keys react spongy.

If they do you might be able to pop the key caps off then with some distilled water and a cotton swab (Q-Tip) try cleaning the key assembly. Just be careful not to flood the agra with to much water. Then go over the area again this time with a high grade of Isopropyl alcohol (85% or better). This will clean off the oily deposits of the coffee and cream as wee as act as a drier to help remove the water.

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I would hate you going down the path of replacement when you only have to clean under the key caps.

If that is what is needed it's a bear of a job! Besides you can't get the keyboard unit by its self. The complete top case is what you end up replacing.

Yes, some people have taking the keyboard off of the top case and have tried cleaning the pads (with less than a 50% chance of repairing). It's a lot of work and you do need to be careful not to damage anything in the process.

I don't try to repair them any more, I just replace the full top case. I have a drawer of about 30 or so of damaged top cases now.

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No Dan, number keys 2-9 do not function at all unfortunately.

So cleaning is possible, how hard is it to dismantle the keyboard without damaging it? According to some older Q&A's, it's most straightforward when you're replacing a keyboard as you don't have to be afraid of breaking the already broken one while dismantling...

Thanks for your help!

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Popping the key caps to get underneath is not harmful and often will solve gummy upped mechanism which is the real reason the key appears not to be functioning when pressed. If that doesn't do it then the pads are damaged within the keyboard assembly.

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Thanks Dan!

I'll visit the local service specialist tomorrow to see how expensive it will be... If it feels excessive I guess I'll keep on the safe side and order a top case (without a pad). They seem to float around 100$.

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Mikko will be eternally grateful.
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