How to Take a Keyboard Off of a MacBook
The MacBook laptop's keyboard is integrated with the case of the laptop itself. If your keyboard is damaged, you also need to replace the top portion of the case which contains the trackpad. Removing the part requires a small amount of work, but it isn't beyond a standard user to complete the task. The only difficult part is keeping track of all the screws you'll be removing.
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Instructions
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1
Shut down your MacBook and unplug the power cable. Turn the laptop upside down and place it on a flat working surface.
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2
Use a standard slot screwdriver to turn the dial next to the battery to the unlock position. There is a graphic of an opened lock to designate the right position. Pull the battery out of the compartment and set it aside.
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3
Remove the metal piece that shields the left and top sides of the battery compartment. Remove the three screws that hold it in place and lift it out of the way. Set the part aside with the three screws that are used to attach it.
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4
Remove the three screws from the top wall of the battery compartment that were covered by the metal piece removed in the last step. Remove the far left and far right screws from the wall of the battery compartment that contains the battery connector. Remove four of the nine screws on the front wall of the battery compartment; remove the second and fourth from the left, the far right and third from the right. Set all of the screws aside and label the different types to be sure you know where they go.
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5
Remove the three screws from the bottom of the bottom of the laptop. Remove the two screws from the left side panel and right side panel of the laptop. Remove the four screws from the back panel of the laptop. Set all of the screws aside and label them for reassembly.
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6
Open the laptop and pry up the top portion of the laptop case. It is held onto the motherboard by a cable. When the plastic top panel is loose, pull the black tab on the cable to release it from the motherboard.
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7
Replace the top panel assembly with a new one and reassemble the laptop.
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Tips & Warnings
Wear an antistatic wrist strap if you plan to work with any of the internal components of your laptop. A static shock can damage your computer.
Be very thorough when labeling your screws. There are multiple types of screws that you will be removed during this process, and they all have to be returned to the proper locations when the laptop is reassembled.
