MacBook unibody keyboard ribbon cable won't go in

Sounds like tape might be the best way to get the cable back in, but if you don't have any tape handy, what worked for me was tweezers. I carefully inserted one side of the cable into the socket, and then with tweezers, gently coaxed the other side of it into the socket. Once it was lined up, I nudged the cable forward until it was all the way in, and then locked it in place with the locking tab. I also use a lamp with a built-in magnifying glass for stuff like this...makes a big difference.

Here’s another fix. I replaced the trackpad, hard drive, and RAM chips on my early 2011 17” unibody. Had to take out fans motherboard and battery. I got the machine back together and booted up but found that neither the trackpad nor the keyboard worked. The trackpad does click to enter but does not control the mouse. For the keyboard I had the same problem with the connector. I also managed to break off the locking lever. I tried at least five different methods, tape, plastic shim, etc. the end of the keyboard tape was starting to look a bit beat up from all of my attempts. I could see that the row of metal contacts on the top of the wire tape was not going completely into the connector socket. I had resigned myself to getting an external keyboard and in desperation tried one last thing. I took a straight edge razor blade and with a small piece of wood (tongue depressor) underneath as a cutting board I cut off the end of the tape, somewhere between 1/64” and 1/32”. I inserted the trimmed wire tape into the connector and the top row of metal contacts now disappeared into the housing. I put the broken locking lever back in place, put a piece of scotch tape over the whole mess, booted up and it worked! Keyboard back in action! If anyone has an idea about how to get the trackpad mouse to work, let me know.

I put a piece of spaghetti (thin and uncooked) under the cable which gives a bit more to push on and you can roll it in. This was after 3 hours of trying other methods though,

Bringing this thread back to life. I’m not sure if I damaged the cable or not, but once I was able to get the Mac turned on I am not able to use various keys - shift, command, option, caps lock, up, down, left, right, and a few others. Could this be caused by a damaged cable?

My problem (during replacement of the keyboard) was this: I took off the coloured piece of plastic (blue or red) at the end of the ribbon cable on the replacement keyboard (DON’T DO THAT), thinking it was some protective isolation. It was far enough in the socket but just too thin to hold for the socket lock. Magically worked after putting that piece of plastic back on. Didn’t need much for at all (or the tape for that matter which I tried as well). Hope it helps anyone, leave the plastic on!

Thanks for this. The new battery I used, moved this cable caused me to think I had a failed logic board. But I found that this ribbon cable was the culprit.

Oh, my god. It worked. I wish I had discovered this before I actually fried my motherboard trying to fix it.

To those who don't understand, I didn't get it either, but it's exactly what it sounds like. Put the ribbon cable where you wanted to go, put a long piece of sticky tape on the back and press it down with your finger and then pull the tape in the direction that you want the ribbon cable to go.if you move the tape around and do this side-by-side, you will see, it will slide the ribbon cable into the harness, even though it seems like that would never work.

I broke off the locking tab on mine. Is there a way to unlock it with some microscopic tools?

I tore the locking tab. Any other ways to secure the ribbon in the port?

Same problem.

I had to change the magsafe board because it wasn’t charging. Everything seemed to go okay, but now the MB doesn’t boot. The charging light comes on when the magsafe charger is connected, so that problem might be solved.

I’ve tried the suggested tape method to slide the keyboard cable into the connector better, but still no go. So, I want to ask just HOW FAR the cable has to be inserted? I can just see a thin line of metal contacts on the cable when it is inserted. Should it go in far enough so that you DON’T see the contacts?

On the iFixit page about changing the top case, the foto in the take apart shows the thin line of contacts just before removing the cable. See STEP 14 here: MacBook Unibody Model A1342 Upper Case Replacement

I’ve fixed a fair number of MacBooks, but if the problem here is not the cable then I guess I fried the motherboard.

I don’t think the plastic tape is to be removed - I removed mine and wish I hadn’t. I think it’s there to add structural integrity when connecting. I’m still working on getting mine to work. Good luck.

Pushed the flat cable into the connector, then locked the tab. The second line of keys did not work. SO took the flat cable out, checked it and seemed to have all the lines, one end was bent, tried to put it back in, same problem. Ordered a top case/ keyboard/ trackpad and will put that on and be careful about the flat cable. I’ve done many of these, this time I forgot to move the lock piece up. Hope the new stuff will solved the problem.

The tape has not worked for me. The locking lever holds the tape too high off the connector so when I try to pull the tape it just lifts the cable over the connector. I have not been able to get it started into the connector, at all.

Can we trim the ribbon? I think i damaged my ribbon!

can i trim the blue thing and then re-insert it?

Hey guys, Easiest way to do this. Add duct tape to the back of the cable and wiggle it in. It will work. Best way to do it and easiest. That cable is durable and do not be afraid it will break. Good luck