Sticky Keys? Double Typing? The 2026 Guide to MacBook Keyboard Repair in Johannesburg
You can’t work if you can’t type. Whether it’s the infamous “Butterfly” keys or a coffee spill, discover how we restore your typing experience same-day.
There is nothing more frustrating than typing an email and seeing “heeeeello” instead of “hello.” Or hitting the spacebar and… nothing happens.
For writers, coders, and executives in Johannesburg, the keyboard is the primary tool of the trade. When it fails, productivity grinds to a halt. While Apple makes incredible machines, their keyboards—specifically the 2016–2019 “Butterfly” models—are notorious for failure.
If you are searching for “MacBook keyboard repair Johannesburg” or “replace macbook keys,” you don’t need a new laptop. You just need a specialized repair. At Fix My Gadget, we offer precision keyboard replacement services that cost a fraction of a new device.
1. Diagnosis: Is it Dust, Debris, or Failure?
Before we rip your laptop apart, let’s identify the issue. Keyboard failures generally fall into three categories:
The “Sticky” Key
Symptom: The key feels “mushy” and doesn’t click back up instantly.
Cause: Liquid spill residue (sugar) or physical debris under the cap.
The “Ghost” Typer
Symptom: You press “E” once, but “EE” or “EEE” appears on screen.
Cause: Electrical switch failure or Butterfly mechanism dust entrapment.
The Dead Zone
Symptom: Specific keys (like Spacebar or Enter) stop working entirely.
Cause: Circuit oxidation from liquid or physical trace fracture.
2. Repair Solutions: Cleaning vs. Replacement
Many shops will tell you that you *must* replace the entire top assembly (the whole aluminum piece including the trackpad and battery). This is the official Apple way, and it costs R8,000+.
We offer smarter options:
Single Key Cap Replacement
If just the plastic cap or the plastic scissor hinge is broken, we can pop it off and replace it for under R250 per key. No disassembly required.
Keyboard-Only Replacement
We drill out the 100+ tiny rivets holding the keyboard to the frame, remove the old keyboard, and install a new one. This saves you replacing the aluminum case and battery, cutting the cost by 50%.
Top Case Assembly
For severe liquid damage where the battery is also affected, we replace the whole unit for a factory-fresh feel.
Special Focus: The “Butterfly” Keyboard
If you own a MacBook Pro (2016-2019) or MacBook Air (2018-2019), you have the controversial “Butterfly” mechanism. These are prone to failure from even tiny dust particles.
We stock specialized replacement keyboards for these models that are more resistant to dust than the originals.
4. MacBook Keyboard Repair Prices (2026)
Get a working keyboard without the “Apple Tax”.
| Service | Models | Est. Price |
|---|---|---|
| Single Key Repair | All Models | R250 – R450 |
| Keyboard Replacement | MacBook Air (Old) A1466 | R1,800 |
| Keyboard Replacement | MacBook Pro Retina (2012-15) | R2,200 |
| Keyboard Replacement | MacBook Pro Touch Bar (2016-20) | R2,800 – R3,500 |
| Top Case (Kb + Battery) | MacBook Air M1 / M2 | R4,500+ |
Type Perfectly Again.
Don’t let a sticky spacebar ruin your workflow. Book a collection in Sandton or bring it to our Johannesburg workshop for a 1-hour assessment.
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