Have any of you ever encountered the problem where you're typing something, and your keyboard suddenly starts autorepeating the last key you typed even though you're not even touching the keyboard anymore?

I have this happen to me every once in a while on my Macbook Pro.

Does it happen with all keys?
If not, I'd bet there's something like a crumb caught between the key and the key well. Or that there's something buggered with the key return.

Try a different keyboard, if you have one.

It does it with all keys, including the backspace, which is rather annoying if I've just typed a long paragraph, and then the backspace starts deleting everything. The only way to stop the auto repeat is to hit another key or keys, but by this time the event buffer is usually full of whatever key was auto repeating, and you still have to wait for it to empty out.

Since it's on my MacBook Pro, I can't easily change the built-in keyboard. Also it happens rather sporadically. It can go for a month or more without any problems, and then suddenly it happens.

Try navigating to /Applications/System Preferences/Keyboard/Keyboard/Key Repeat Rate & Delay Until Repeat (in 10.6.8, anyhow) and try toggling and other fooling around with the settings...maybe restart afterwards.

Edit: You can try logging in to a test user account, but given the sporadic nature of your problem, it's liable to be a long journey.

I expect that I'll just have to live with it. Since it occurs so infrequently, it could take months before I'd be sure that it was fixed.

I was mainly curious if anyone else has ever experienced this problem.

Why don't you try what I suggested?

If the problem recurs, you'll have learned something, and if not, you'll have learned something different.

Bob, it sounds to me as if you may have an underlying problem....is your version of computer one where you can remove the battery, or is the battery built-in and not user accessible?

If the battery is removable, try taking it out while the computer remains connected to external power.....a swollen battery (one of several ways that a battery can fail) can press on the underside of the keyboard and cause that repeating issue.

If the battery is built-n, use the System Profiler to check its' condition.

95% of the time that is caused by a liquid spill. It can be in the form of syrup dried out causing the key to physically stick in a down or slightly down position, OR by liquid having migrated into the membranes below the keyboard and electrically shorting things out, causing problems even when no keys are pressed.

Often if one key on the keyboard is stuck, it will cause other keys pressed after it to begin repeating themselves instead of the key that is actually stuck. This can reset itself when the computer or keyboard are rebooted, and lie in wait until any key (or a specific key) is pressed, then start the repeat behavior.

Resurrecting an old thread to let you know you're not alone.

No idea if this is still a problem, but I have this problem with ALL usb keyboards on a Touch Bar 2016 MBPro as well as a mid 2015 MBPro. The problem is such that if I type in a quick combination of letters, the sequence will repeat itself endlessly until I hammer on some other keys or change the form. It's just always happened. I have a Corsair K70, Logitech G810, a couple of mac keyboards (the BT one with no 10key, etc, and the USB mac chicklety keyboard from 2014 or 15).

I'm suspecting in my case it could have something to do with the utility I use Better Touch tool. It's annoying as hell, but BTT is more useful than the annoyance is annoying.