u/AprilMay10010

Hello all, recently my e key has stopped working on my laptop.

I took the key off, cleaned it, and reattached with no issue, but it still didn't work so I figured it to be a problem with the silicon dome. I have a 2015 macbook pro, so back when they had scissor switch keyboards. I took it to the apple genius bar today and they were pretty unhelpful--the guy confirmed that the silicon part would need replacement, but said they don't carry them anymore.

I expected this, given that my laptop is so old, so I asked if they could harvest it from a key i don't really use that much. The guy declined, said he wasn't allowed to do that. Okay, that's fine. I asked if he could tell me how to do it, and he said "no no no, you need a special tool." I said "oh, what tool would I need to get?" and he kind of smirked and said "nothing you would have." (??)

I said "oh, what's it called?" and he didn't answer me, he just ignored the question and said that theres a place nearby that could do it and then gave me the name of the repair place. I went to the repair place and alas! the tool they used was a pair of tweezers.

Replacing the silicon cost about 30 bucks; they had extras and didn't have to harvest it from one of my keys. BUT after the service the guy charged me 60, saying that he gave me a new key and switch mechanism. To clarify, I did not want this nor did he ask, he just charged. I asked what was wrong with the old key and he just said it was "worn down." Bruh. All my keys are worn down, its an 10 year old laptop.

Anyway, I got home and have been doing my work and the key pops off and I haven't been able to click it back on. Also, the silicon dome is moving freely, so I put all the parts on my desk where I wouldn't lose them. Can I use glue to make the silicon not move when I try to reattach the key, or so I can use it without the key cap? If so, what kind of glue is safe? At this point, should I just get a bluetooth keyboard, or try to go back to the repair place with the receipt? The metal parts aren't damaged or bent, I'm just having a lot of trouble reattaching it for some reason. Any advice?

Hello all, recently my e key has stopped working on my laptop.

I took the key off, cleaned it, and reattached with no issue, but it still didn't work so I figured it to be a problem with the silicon dome. I have a 2015 macbook pro, so back when they had scissor switch keyboards. I took it to the apple genius bar today and they were pretty unhelpful--the guy confirmed that the silicon part would need replacement, but said they don't carry them anymore.

I expected this, given that my laptop is so old, so I asked if they could harvest it from a key i don't really use that much. The guy declined, said he wasn't allowed to do that. Okay, that's fine. I asked if he could tell me how to do it, and he said "no no no, you need a special tool." I said "oh, what tool would I need to get?" and he kind of smirked and said "nothing you would have." (??)

I said "oh, what's it called?" and he didn't answer me, he just ignored the question and said that theres a place nearby that could do it and then gave me the name of the repair place. I went to the repair place and alas! the tool they used was a pair of tweezers.

Replacing the silicon cost about 30 bucks; they had extras and didn't have to harvest it from one of my keys. BUT after the service the guy charged me 60, saying that he gave me a new key and switch mechanism. To clarify, I did not want this nor did he ask, he just charged. I asked what was wrong with the old key and he just said it was "worn down." Bruh. All my keys are worn down, its an 10 year old laptop.

Anyway, I got home and have been doing my work and the key pops off and I haven't been able to click it back on. Also, the silicon dome is moving freely, so I put all the parts on my desk where I wouldn't lose them. Can I use glue to make the silicon not move when I try to reattach the key, or so I can use it without the key cap? If so, what kind of glue is safe? At this point, should I just get a bluetooth keyboard, or try to go back to the repair place with the receipt? The metal parts aren't damaged or bent, I'm just having a lot of trouble reattaching it for some reason. Any advice?

All in all, today I felt like I was talked down to by these guys and overcharged for services I didn't want or request. First dude definitely lied to my face about the "special tool," and the second dude doubled the quote after the service. They both seemed friendly overall, but the results kinda suck. Stuff like this keeps happening whenever I try to get tech help, and it feels kinda gendered (sometimes I've gotten my dad to come with me for various tech issues and they are infinitely more attentive and accommodating in general) so also anyone know how I should aim to present myself to get taken a bit more seriously in the future in these tech situations?