Help with MacBook Pro - Keyboard Malfunctions & Recovery Mode Issues

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Help with MacBook Pro - Keyboard Malfunctions & Recovery Mode Issues

Hello,

I’m experiencing a couple of issues with my MacBook Pro that I’m hoping to get help with:

Keyboard Malfunctions:
After an accidental spray of cleaning solution on my keyboard, several keys have stopped functioning properly. Specifically, the 1, 2, backspace, and A keys no longer register when pressed. I’ve tried using compressed air to clean it out, but that didn’t help. The other keys work fine. I’m wondering if there’s a way to fix this myself without replacing the keyboard, and if any software troubleshooting could be done to rule out any system-related issues. Should I try opening it up to check the connections, or is there a different solution?
Recovery Mode/No Entry Sign:
I’m unable to boot into Recovery Mode. When I attempt to boot using Command + R or Command + Option + R, I just get a spinning globe for a while, followed by a "No Entry" sign. I’ve checked my internet connection, and it seems fine. I’ve also tried restarting, resetting the NVRAM, and trying different combinations to get into the recovery partition, but nothing has worked. Is there another way to reinstall macOS, or to repair the system when Recovery Mode isn’t loading? I’ve already tried creating a bootable USB installer, but my Mac isn’t recognizing it when I try to boot from it.

Any guidance or suggestions to help resolve these issues would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

Posted on Nov 22, 2024 10:12 AM

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Answer 1

HWTech

Level 9

60,728 points

Nov 22, 2024 7:59 PM in response to macOSMavericks

It seems like the liquid had probably damaged the laptop. You will need to have Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider examine the laptop to confirm and to provide you with a repair estimate.

It looks like you have an older non-USB-C model (pre-2015). Those models are now considered by Apple to be "Obsolete" so no service is available.

The only reliable way of creating a bootable macOS USB installer is by using the instructions in the following Apple article:

Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

You will need access to another Mac that is compatible with an OS this broken laptop can run. Since we don't know the exact model, we don't know which operating systems your laptop supports. I'm assuming this is a 2012 to 2015 model which means you have a wide range of models that can be used to make the USB installer.

Generally you need a Mac:

macOS 12.x -- from 2015 to mid-2022

macOS 11.x -- from Late-2013 to mid-2021

macOS 10.15 -- from 2012 to mid-2020

macOS 10.13 -- from Late-2009 to mid-2018

macOS 10.11 -- from 2007 to 2015

Note that these are model year designations that Apple uses for the Mac models, not the year of purchase. I've listed all the operating systems compatible with a 2015 model MBPro, so if you have an older model, then the later versions of macOS listed will not be an option. You can confirm OS compatibility with various Apple hardware by using the information in the following article:

https://eshop.macsales.com/guides/Mac_OS_X_Compatibility

FYI, using compressed air on liquid will just cause the liquid to go further inside the laptop. On those older model laptops, there is actually a plastic layer beneath the Keyboard to provide a reflective surface for the Keyboard backlight....this plastic tends to help keep some liquid from reaching the Logic Board, but it can leak at the edges. Later models no longer have this plastic layers so moving/tilting the laptop or blowing air will easily cause the liquid to move to other internal areas & components. Also, do not use rice to dry it out since the rice will just get stuck inside the laptop causing more problems....rice is a nightmare for repair techs.

Maybe once the liquid evaporates you will have more luck.

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