HomeThis guide will show you how to fix dead laptop keyboard keys.
I got an Averatec 3250 which had a few keys that died after about two years of usage. After looking on eBay for a replacement keyboard, I decided that I wasn’t going to pay $60-80 for a used replacement keyboard and overpriced shipping, since I lived in Europe. So, I set myself on a quest to find a way to repair the keyboard I already had.
All laptop keyboards are different and taking it apart will require different steps than those shown in the guide, but the main idea will be the same.
Before you start taking apart your failed keyboard, check how much will it cost to buy a new one. Some keyboards are pretty cheap these days.
Here’s another keyboard repair guide. This guides shows how to fix missing keyboard keys.
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August 26th, 2008 at 12:48 am
Hello
I also have a keyboard issue with my Compaq Presario Notebook. It began with spilling coffee into the upper left corner on the a s q and w keys. I wiped off the coffee and popped off the keys and cleaned around them . The problem I now have is when keying the S key I get the A also, the same with the W and Q. I hope you can give me some sugestions on how to remedy this.
August 26th, 2008 at 7:36 am
Sara,
There is not much you can do beside replacing the keyboard, it’s been damaged. You can find keyboard replacement instructions for most HP/Compaq in the maintenance and service manual.
Hopefully, this is just a bad keyboard and there is nothing wrong with the keyboard controller on the motherboard.
August 29th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
[...] By the way, if you are replacing the keyboard because of broken or missing keys, check out this post: Fixing dead laptop keyboard keys. Maybe you can repair the keys. [...]
September 15th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Today, I had a brilliant idea to fix my laptop’s dead keys. Get a Q-Tip, and snip off a VERY small piece. It should fit perfectly into the plastic hole. Stick the key back on top, and it will work again! My dead h is has been revived for a very few cents! Forget buying a new keyboard!
February 8th, 2010 at 11:43 pm
Thank for the helpful info, I bought a replacement laptop key from individualkeys.com and with your help i was able to install it, BTW for $5.50 shipped all taken cared off, DO NOT SEND OFF YOUR LAPTOP TO HP!! They want to charge me $285 for a 5 year old DV2000! Out of there minds!
February 9th, 2010 at 11:19 am
Joey,
Good for you!
It’s not difficult at all. All you have to do is try it!
February 20th, 2010 at 7:00 am
My key is fine, but the r key wont work so i have to copy and paste it, even when i take the key top off it dosn’t work, any suggestions?