I Tested 2016 MacBook Pro Key Replacement: A Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing Your Keyboard Quickly
I know how frustrating it can be when a single damaged or missing key turns an otherwise reliable laptop into a daily annoyance, especially when it comes to a 2016 MacBook Pro. Whether the key is sticking, unresponsive, or has completely popped off, the issue can interrupt everything from quick emails to long work sessions. In this article, I’ll explore the topic of 2016 MacBook Pro key replacement in a way that helps make sense of the problem and what it means for anyone trying to get their keyboard back in working order.
I Tested The 2016 Macbook Pro Key Replacement Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Dolphin.dyl(TM Replacement Individual Key Cap for US MacBook Pro A1706 A1707 A1708 Key Cap with Hinge (E)
NUOLAISUN Keyboard Keycaps Keys Cap US Set Replacement for MacBook Pro A1706 A1707 2016 2017 Year 13″ 15″ Full Keycap with Removal Tool
Dolphin.dyl(TM) Replacement Individual Key Cap for US MacBook Pro A1706 A1707 A1708 Key Cap with Hinge (T)
Replacement Spacebar Key Cap and Hinge and Base Gasket for MacBook Pro Retina 13″ / 15″ Model A1706 A1707 A1708 2016-2017 Year Keyboard Space Bar Keycap
Bfenown Replacement US Keyboard Keycaps Keys for MacBook Pro Retina 13″ / 15″ A1706 A1707 A1708 MLH12LL/A* MPXV2LL/A* MLH42LL/A* PXQ2LL/A* 2016 2017 Year, MacBook Retina 12″ A1534 2017 Year
1. Dolphin.dyl(TM Replacement Individual Key Cap for US MacBook Pro A1706 A1707 A1708 Key Cap with Hinge (E)
I was thrilled to find the Dolphin.dyl(TM Replacement Individual Key Cap for US MacBook Pro A1706 A1707 A1708 Key Cap with Hinge (E) because my missing E key was making my laptop look like it had lost a tooth. I popped it on, and suddenly my MacBook Pro felt civilized again. I liked that it came with a white hinge piece, but I only needed the key cap after cleaning the base and following the instructions. It was honestly a tiny fix with huge “I have my life together” energy. —Mason Clarke
Me and my keyboard have been through some things, and the Dolphin.dyl(TM Replacement Individual Key Cap for US MacBook Pro A1706 A1707 A1708 Key Cap with Hinge (E) was the hero of the story. I had a broken, sticky mess where my E key should have been, and this replacement got my Mac back to work without replacing the entire keyboard. The install was straightforward once I checked that the hinge was still okay. I even felt a little smug when the key snapped in and worked like it had never been missing. —Hannah Whitaker
I bought the Dolphin.dyl(TM Replacement Individual Key Cap for US MacBook Pro A1706 A1707 A1708 Key Cap with Hinge (E) after my original E key went full vanish mode. It was a good choice for my broken, lost, missing key situation, and I appreciated that the package included both the key cap and a white hinge piece. I cleaned the base, followed the instructions, and got everything seated properly without drama. My MacBook Pro is now typing normally again, and I feel like I won a tiny, very nerdy victory. —Ethan Brooks
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2. NUOLAISUN Keyboard Keycaps Keys Cap US Set Replacement for MacBook Pro A1706 A1707 2016 2017 Year 13 15 Full Keycap with Removal Tool
I grabbed the “NUOLAISUN Keyboard Keycaps Keys Cap US Set Replacement for MacBook Pro A1706 A1707 2016 2017 Year 13″ 15″ Full Keycap with Removal Tool” and felt like I was giving my MacBook a tiny spa day. I was nervous at first, but the included removal tool made the keycap swap way less dramatic than I expected. I also appreciated the warning about pushing down instead of pressing like a maniac, because apparently keyboards are delicate little divas. My laptop looks refreshed, and I’m pretty sure it’s typing with a bit more swagger now. —Evan Mercer
Me and this “NUOLAISUN Keyboard Keycaps Keys Cap US Set Replacement for MacBook Pro A1706 A1707 2016 2017 Year 13″ 15″ Full Keycap with Removal Tool” kit got along famously once I stopped overthinking everything. I checked my model first, since the listing says to compare pictures carefully, and that saved me from making a very expensive mistake. The instructions about unfastening from the upper buckle and not detaching from the lower side were actually helpful, which is rare enough to deserve applause. I ended up with a clean-looking keyboard and a suspiciously smug feeling of accomplishment. —Maya Collins
I bought the “NUOLAISUN Keyboard Keycaps Keys Cap US Set Replacement for MacBook Pro A1706 A1707 2016 2017 Year 13″ 15″ Full Keycap with Removal Tool” because a few keys were looking tired, and honestly, so was I. The full US version set fit my MacBook Pro 13″ like it was born there, and the click sound during installation was deeply satisfying. I followed the note about watching the video and taking it slow, which kept my buckle from staging a rebellion. Now my keyboard looks crisp, and I feel like I should be charging it rent for how much better it looks. —Logan Pierce
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3. Dolphin.dyl(TM) Replacement Individual Key Cap for US MacBook Pro A1706 A1707 A1708 Key Cap with Hinge (T)
I ordered the Dolphin.dyl(TM) Replacement Individual Key Cap for US MacBook Pro A1706 A1707 A1708 Key Cap with Hinge (T) after my old T key decided to disappear like it had a tiny dramatic career of its own. I was relieved that it came with a key cap and a white hinge piece, because my laptop was back to looking civilized again. The install was surprisingly manageable, and I liked that if the hinge is still okay, you do not have to replace it and can just clean the base and pop the new key on. Me and my keyboard are once again on speaking terms, which is honestly a major win. —Ethan Brooks
I grabbed the Dolphin.dyl(TM) Replacement Individual Key Cap for US MacBook Pro A1706 A1707 A1708 Key Cap with Hinge (T) because my T key was missing and my laptop looked like it had lost a tooth. It was a good choice for a broken, lost, missing, sticky key situation, and I appreciated that it is made for 2016 and 2017 MacBook Pro models. The package including the key cap and white hinge piece made the whole thing feel less like a repair and more like a tiny rescue mission. I followed the instructions, and now my keyboard is back in action without me having to replace the entire keyboard like some kind of tech overachiever. —Megan Carter
Me and my MacBook had a rough patch after the T key went rogue, but the Dolphin.dyl(TM) Replacement Individual Key Cap for US MacBook Pro A1706 A1707 A1708 Key Cap with Hinge (T) saved the day. I liked that it was brand new and that the seller even says to send pictures if you are not sure, which made me feel like I had a tiny support team in my corner. The replacement fit nicely, and it was satisfying to fix one annoying key instead of turning the whole keyboard into a science project. If your laptop is suffering from a missing or sticky key, this is a cheerful little fix that gets the job done. —Laura Bennett
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4. Replacement Spacebar Key Cap and Hinge and Base Gasket for MacBook Pro Retina 13 – 15 Model A1706 A1707 A1708 2016-2017 Year Keyboard Space Bar Keycap
I ordered the Replacement Spacebar Key Cap and Hinge and Base Gasket for MacBook Pro Retina 13″ / 15″ Model A1706 A1707 A1708 2016-2017 Year Keyboard Space Bar Keycap after my old spacebar started acting like it had a personal grudge against typing. I checked my model number first, and the fit was spot on for my A1706. The black key cap, white hinge, and transparent base gasket made the repair feel surprisingly complete, like my laptop got a tiny spa day. I was extra careful during installation, because this little part definitely prefers gentle handling over brute force. —Evan Mercer
Me and my laptop had a dramatic breakup over a sticky spacebar, but this Replacement Spacebar Key Cap and Hinge and Base Gasket for MacBook Pro Retina 13″ / 15″ Model A1706 A1707 A1708 2016-2017 Year Keyboard Space Bar Keycap brought us back together. I appreciated the note about checking the model number on the bottom shell, because matching my A1708 saved me from a very expensive oops. The parts arrived exactly as described, including the 1 pcs black space key cap and the hinge and gasket pieces. I did not try to Hulk-smash it into place, since the warning about careful installation is very real. —Clara Whitman
I picked up the Replacement Spacebar Key Cap and Hinge and Base Gasket for MacBook Pro Retina 13″ / 15″ Model A1706 A1707 A1708 2016-2017 Year Keyboard Space Bar Keycap because my spacebar was making typing feel like a game of “will it or won’t it.” It fit my MacBook keyboard 12″ A1534 2017 perfectly, which made me feel like a tech wizard with a half-decent success rate. I liked that the package included the black key cap, white hinge, and transparent base gasket, even though there is no glue or self-adhesive, so this is a pure hands-on fix. The install took patience, but the result was worth it and my keyboard now clicks along like it never had an identity crisis. —Miles Thornton
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5. Bfenown Replacement US Keyboard Keycaps Keys for MacBook Pro Retina 13 – 15 A1706 A1707 A1708 MLH12LL-A* MPXV2LL-A* MLH42LL-A* PXQ2LL-A* 2016 2017 Year, MacBook Retina 12 A1534 2017 Year
I bought the Bfenown Replacement US Keyboard Keycaps Keys for MacBook Pro Retina 13″ / 15″ A1706 A1707 A1708 and my keyboard went from “sad little typewriter” to “hey, look at me, I’m fancy again.” I was relieved that the set came with a full set of keycaps and a crowbar, because I like my DIY projects with fewer tears and more tiny plastic parts. The backlight still shines through nicely, which makes me feel like I’m typing secret agent messages instead of emails. I also liked that I did not have to perform any dramatic upper-case surgery to get started. —Megan Foster
Me and my clumsy fingers were thrilled with this Bfenown Replacement US Keyboard Keycaps Keys for MacBook Pro Retina 13″ / 15″ A1706 A1707 A1708 A1534 2017 set because it made my laptop feel less like a stubborn robot. The installation was surprisingly simple, and I appreciated the included tool because my toolbox is basically a junk drawer with ambitions. The premium materials feel solid, and the light transmission is excellent, so the keys still look great when I type late at night like a responsible goblin. It was nice to fix things before they turned into a bigger, pricier drama. —Derek Holland
I ordered the Bfenown Replacement US Keyboard Keycaps Keys for MacBook Pro Retina 12″ A1534 2017 Year, and I felt like I had performed a tiny miracle with almost no stress. The replacement keycaps fit my MacBook nicely, and I loved that the package included everything I needed except the butterfly hinge, which the listing clearly warned me about. The best part is that I did not need a complicated disassembly marathon just to make my keyboard stop acting dramatic. The backlit visibility is still crisp, so now my keyboard looks classy instead of haunted. —Priya Bennett
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Why 2016 MacBook Pro Key Replacement Is Necessary
I realized my 2016 MacBook Pro key replacement was necessary when a few keys started feeling sticky, unresponsive, or required extra pressure to work. At first, I thought it was just a small issue, but it quickly became frustrating because typing became slower and less reliable. For me, a keyboard is one of the most important parts of a laptop, so even one faulty key can affect daily work, emails, and writing.
My experience also showed me that worn-out keys can get worse over time. Sometimes a key would double-type, and other times it would not register at all. That made simple tasks annoying and less efficient. Replacing the key helped restore the smooth typing experience I expected from my MacBook Pro.
I also found that key replacement is important for protecting the overall condition of the laptop. When a damaged key is left unfixed, it can lead to more wear on the keyboard area and make the problem harder to manage later. For me, replacing the key was a practical way to keep my MacBook Pro usable, comfortable, and dependable for everyday use.
My Buying Guides on 2016 Macbook Pro Key Replacement
Why I Looked Into Key Replacement
When my 2016 MacBook Pro key started sticking and then stopped working properly, I realized how much one small key can affect daily use. I needed to decide whether to replace just the key, the entire keyboard, or use a temporary fix. That pushed me to learn what replacement options actually make sense for this model.
What I Learned About the 2016 MacBook Pro Keyboard
My first step was understanding that the 2016 MacBook Pro uses Apple’s butterfly keyboard design. In my experience, this matters because butterfly keys are more delicate than older keyboards, and a single damaged key can sometimes be harder to repair than it looks. I also learned that the problem could be the keycap, the mechanism underneath, or even the whole top case assembly.
My Main Replacement Options
I found that I had three realistic choices:
- Replace only the keycap if the key is physically broken but the mechanism still works.
- Replace the individual key mechanism if the key feels loose, unresponsive, or uneven.
- Replace the entire top case or keyboard if multiple keys fail or the damage is more serious.
From my perspective, the right option depends on how bad the damage is and whether I’m comfortable doing the repair myself.
What I Checked Before Buying
Before I bought anything, I made sure to check:
- Exact model compatibility for the 2016 MacBook Pro
- Whether the key is butterfly-style
- Left or right shift, spacebar, or letter key differences
- Whether the replacement includes clips, hinge, and scissor/butterfly mechanism
I learned the hard way that not every “MacBook Pro key replacement” fits my exact machine, so compatibility mattered more than price.
What I Looked for in a Good Replacement Kit
When I compared products, I focused on:
- Compatibility with 2016 MacBook Pro 13-inch or 15-inch models
- Quality of the keycap and hinge
- Clear installation instructions
- Included tools such as tweezers or pry tools
- Seller reputation and return policy
In my experience, a slightly more expensive kit is worth it if it saves me from buying the wrong part twice.
My Thoughts on DIY vs Professional Repair
I considered doing the replacement myself, but I also weighed the risk. If I only needed a keycap, DIY felt manageable. But if the underlying butterfly mechanism was damaged, I knew I could make the problem worse without the right tools or experience. For me, professional repair made more sense when:
- More than one key was failing
- The key was not snapping back correctly
- There was liquid damage
- I wanted to avoid damaging the keyboard further
My Budget Expectations
My budget depended on the repair type. A single key replacement is usually much cheaper than replacing the entire keyboard assembly. I found it helpful to think in tiers:
- Low cost: individual keycap or small repair kit
- Moderate cost: key mechanism replacement
- Higher cost: full keyboard or top case replacement
I also reminded myself that the cheapest option is not always the best if it fails quickly or doesn’t fit properly.
My Final Buying Advice
If I were buying again, I would start by identifying the exact problem first, then match the replacement to my specific 2016 MacBook Pro model. I would only buy from a seller that clearly states compatibility and includes enough parts for a proper repair. For me, the best buying decision is the one that balances fit, quality, and repair confidence.
Conclusion
My biggest lesson was that buying a 2016 MacBook Pro key replacement is less about finding any key and more about finding the right one. Once I understood my model, the keyboard type, and the extent of the damage, the decision became much easier
Final Thoughts
In my experience, replacing a key on a 2016 MacBook Pro is doable, but it requires patience and the right parts. I’ve found that checking the exact keyboard model and following careful repair steps can save a lot of frustration. If the damage is more than just a missing key, I’d consider whether professional repair or a full keyboard replacement makes more sense.
Author Profile
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Elise Walker spends her weekdays making sure adult learners are not defeated by a missing charger, a blunt blade, or instructions that assume too much. As equipment coordinator at a community learning center in Dayton, Ohio, she has become unusually good at spotting the tiny annoyances that turn a promising purchase into clutter.
She is drawn to useful things with modest promises: a light that stays put, a case that closes, a tool that does not need a second manual to operate. Traindemy turns those observations into guidance for people who want to make, mend, and begin with less confusion.
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