Strange Keyboard Behavior

[cupol]

Since yesterday, my Macbook Pro has been having keyboard trouble.
Several keys on the second row have stopped responding, but, as you can see, the problem is intermittent, as now it's working.
The affected keys are: d,f,g,h,j,k, and l.
What I find strange is now just one key is affected, but this whole section.
If I repeatedly press these keys, they work, but very soon after, the trouble returns.

I'm wondering if there's one circuit that controls this area?

 

[deliriouscat]

The first things I'd suggest you to do are cleaning the keyboard, checking for updates, removing recent apps, and resetting the System Management Controller (SMC). Please note that some of these steps require a second working keyboard, so you might need to borrow one if necessary.

You also find more tips in this article from Lifewire. It's a good one

 

[cupol]

Thanks - it's an old one, running Sierra, so updating is not an option.
And no new apps have been installed.
Probably a mechanical issue.

 

[deliriouscat]

Yeah, it's probably it. There could be a number of things going on, from debris trapped under the keys, to a problem with the keyboard membrane or the key switches themselves. I would recommend trying to carefully clean under the keys using a can of compressed air or anything else you can come up with.

BTW, here's a short vid that might be helpful: