If this trick worked for you, it means I just saved you big bucks on the motherboard replacement. Here’s the same connector shown from the opposite side. Insert the keyboard cable into the connector, position the broken retainer correctly (behind the cable in my case) and carefully push it in.Įven with a broken retainer the cable should be secured inside the connector. In my example one side of the retainer got damaged. If you move the locking clip too far, you can break it. In order to unlock the connector, you’ll have to move the locking clip (brown piece) about 2 millimeters up in the direction shown by two yellow arrows.Īfter that you can pull the keyboard cable (green arrow) and remove the keyboard.

On the next picture you see another type of connector. Fix it the same way as the previous connector. The only difference – the keyboard cable is routed under the locking clip. Secure the connection with sticky tape and test the keyboard. The clip fits tightly into the connector even though it has two broken hooks. You can use a small screwdriver for that. While holding the cable, carefully push the broken clip back in place. In this case the cable goes above the retainer. Position the broken piece the way it was inserted before.Ĭarefully insert the cable into the connector. The cable will not stay inside the connector without the locking clip. IMPORTANT! Do not though away the retainer. On the picture below you can see the retainer broken on both sides.

If you are not careful enough, you can move the retainer too far and break it. IMPORTANT! The retainer must remain attached base.Īfter that you can pull the keyboard cable and remove the keyboard. To unlock it properly, you have to move the retainer about 2 millimeters in the direction shown by two yellow arrows. The retainer applies some pressure on the cable and it makes contact with the pins inside the connector. When the connector is closed, the cable secured between the retainer and base. It has the base (white in my case) and cable retainer (brown in my case). On the picture below I show one of the most common connector types. Unfortunately, this part is not sold separately. The cable retainer (locking clip) is made of thin plastic and if it’s damaged, you are in trouble. It’s very easy to get it damaged if you apply too much force while trying to unlock it. The connector is a very delicate mechanism.

Mac keyboard backlight locked