Keyboard Problems with Laptop
 

Need experiences/advice. Have a couple keys not working on laptop keyboard. Three year old 17" inch display with quite a few extras, so not a $400 laptop. Removed key cap, no dirt visible (I do use duster regularly to keep clean). Has anyone ever had two or three non working keys fixed ? Where ? Is it cost effective or should I just replace the laptop (usually I get 5 years out of one, sometimes more before they are so outdated they can't be upgraded. Advice from those who have encountered this ?

Have you tried blowing out any hidden dirt/dust with small can of compressed air?

You might find that keyboard is "composite" rather than being able to replace individual keys. I lost the use of two notepads that way.

I would take it to either Gizmo Depot or MMD. Both are on Rt 441 in Lady Lake just north of Oakwood BBQ.

I've not ever had good luck on this type of thing. I had a display issue and took it to MMD, $100 later, I still had it. Good luck.

I've used YouTube videos before to disassemble and reassemble a couple of laptops. You might be able to get a replacement keyboard.

Unlikely, but maybe once it is apart you will see something to correct.

Would a Bluetooth keyboard be a cost-effective option?

I’ve had great service from ubreakifix, located in Southern Trace next to the dry cleaners and Darrell’s Diner. Honest, fair priced, etc. They give you an estimate before they start to fix it.

I never can stand those small keyboards and the finger pads on a laptop. I've had 3 laptops and always use a separate keyboard and mouse. My latest is only a 15" Chromebook, I had a 17" before that, but they are getting harder to find in the stores and are at least $500 or more.

Wireless keyboard & mouse in stock at Best Buy $20.

https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/...0;maxWidth=550

Best Buy Keyboard & Mouse

In stock at Best Buy for $50, in fact I'm typing on this right now and using the mouse.

https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/...0;maxWidth=550
Best Buy Keyboard & Mouse

Do you move the laptop around the house and/or travel with it? If not, I would do as John W suggests and get a bluetooth keyboard. I would also buy a nice large monitor. They are amazingly affordable these days. Personally, we like ViewSonic.

Amazon.com

Good luck.

kathy

go to Jacobs Computer on 301 in Wildwood. Much cheaper than UbreakIfix.

If the keys are removable individually suggest you try that even with Air being blown it's amazing how many crumbs and do dads get stuck. If not like others have said go on YouTube and see how easy it is to disassemble and get a new membrane very cheap and easy enough to do yourself usually. Otherwise it's a computer works borrow a keyboard and make sure it's nothing to do with the computer itself before spending money at a repair place

A usb keyboard could work or a bluetooth keyboard.

Jacobs Computers in Wildwood on 301. Agree with bowlingal.

I agree with the UbreakIfix option, if you’re not comfortable tackling this repair on your own. Doesn’t make any sense to me in buying an external keyboard, as it defeats the purpose of having a laptop vs desktop.

Of course, you can use an external keyboard / mouse as some have suggested here. However, replacing a laptop keyboard is not rocket science and that is the solution to keys not working. Attempts to fix individual keys rarely works. It's usually the keyboard electronics and not the key itself. Send me make / model in a private msg and I'll be happy to point you in the right direction.

Bill (Computer Guy)

I replaced the keyboard on my 2012 Macbook. No issues since.

I have purchased new, exact replacement keyboards on ebay. They all worked.

Using the model number of your laptop search e-Bay for a replacement keyboard. They usually cost $20-$30.

Look at it closely to make sure the keys are a match. Then go to YouTube and search for ‘how to replace a keyboard on your model number’.

Usually they snap on and out but the flat cable and connector can be tricky.

Good luck !!

If you are able to take keyboard out of laptop a lot of times it may be only a reseating of the cable on the main board (motherboard) depending on model of laptop. In my experience the toughest part is figuring how to take the case apart, once inside just trace the cable, usually flat cable, from keyboard to it's connector and reseat it (disconnect it/reconnect it) then test.
If this is intimidating (it can be) take to a pro.

It's best if you buy an external keyboard and mouse with a laptop, to reduce the wear and tear on the internal laptop keyboard. If you primarily use the external keyboard and mouse, your internal laptop keyboard will last a much longer time. Its also much easier to type with an external full sized keyboard, when you are not using the laptop from a portable location. A large external screen also dramatically improves the usability. A decent speaker system also improves the audio quality drastically. Then just use the laptop internals only when you need to operate at a portable location, which is probably less than 10% of the time.

A good keyboard for the MacBook Pro laptop is a Matias Quiet Pro keyboard. That keyboard is very nice, full sized, but costs about $150, much more than a Windows laptop external keyboard.

Call Mark Hefron
319-270-7737. He can fix just about any computer problem. Tell him Dieter and Sue sent you.

Have you considered either a portable Bluetooth keyboard or something more permanent if you don’t travel with your laptop. Both options are Under $100 on Amazon.

I bought a Mini Matias Pro 5 years ago ("mini" because it has no number pad). LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I paid $140 (worth every penny) and it is now $120. Highly recommended for Mac folks.

Amazon.com

k.

I agree. I used ubreakifix to check for viruses and some other minor problems. Both computers 2012 Mac Pro and 2014 Mac air are fully functional now. The price of the repairs were very reasonable.

Pop off the sticking keys and clean underneath them.

There's often an icon for an on screen keyboard to bypass the disabled one...pain in the neck to use but works in a pinch.

Properly cheap to buy another keyboard than repair .

Definitely use Duster on a reg. basis, but not sure about the KEYBOARD exact type, just wondered if worth replacement if it's even possible ?

Stuck keys on laptop
 

I have for sale two brand new keyboards. One is a Dell USB connected. The other is a USB Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 curved keypad.

Let me know if you are interested in either.

A laptop computer is supposed to sit on your lap. It would seem pretty awkward to open your laptop and use an external keyboard on top of the laptop on your lap.