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.
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?
January 5th, 2011 at 1:12 pm
My Control key on my laptop doesn’t work anymore. I went around the problem with a macro, but occasionally it spits out” (and so on), usually after I hit control. Can anyone think of a way to stop that, other than buying a new keyboard? Do you think cutting a wire would fix the problem, or would that break any of the keys? I’m pretty technically competent, but I don’t want to break my keyboard and have to buy a new one?
January 5th, 2011 at 1:14 pm
Hey bricethomson and Williams!! Have you actually checked out the cost of a single replacement keys? You don’t necessarily have to buy it from the manufacturer of the laptop; buying single replacement keys may be cheaper than you think. Check out laptopkey.com they are selling at $4.99 a key.
January 25th, 2011 at 12:57 pm
My letter ‘f’ on my keyboard isn’t working. So i always have to use the on screen keyboard, and when you’ve got essays due for college like me.. it can be quite annoying.
Any suggestions on how to fix it? i’ve tried taking the the key off but, it wont budge. (oh dear)
any suggestions? please help.
(y)
January 18th, 2012 at 12:25 am
I spilt some water on my HP probook laptop keyboard.The B and N keys are dead and my number keys on the num pad especially 987 are also dead.Do i have to replace the keys or the whole keyboard.Please give me a solution ASAP
January 19th, 2012 at 1:46 pm
@ Amachaz,
You cannot replace individual keys on the keyboard. Most likely you’ll have to replace the keyboard.
Before you order a new keyboard, I would suggest removing the old one and look closely at the motherboard. If there is no water damage on the motherboard, replacing the keyboard should fix the problem.
June 22nd, 2012 at 7:51 pm
Hia.
So, I have a Mini Acer “Aspire one” laptop, and the whole keyboard doesn’t work. I’m not quit sure what happened to it, exactly, but, something did. Obviously. So, I don’t know if I should just get a brand new keyboard or, not. But, If anyone has any ideas. Then please help.
Thank you, Elise. c:
July 4th, 2012 at 1:28 am
Hey guys,
instead of the other parenthasee and I HATE that. Please help. </3
So I have a mini Acer Aspire One laptop and a bunch of my number keys just stopped work, so when making a smilie face, it looks like this >
July 21st, 2012 at 8:25 am
I have an acer ASPIRE5534 my numbers 1,3 doesn’t work neither does my q,t,u,p,j, any idea’s on what I should do?
July 23rd, 2012 at 11:17 am
@ chelsea,
It sounds like the keyboard failed. You’ll have to replace the keyboard.
I explained how to replace the keyboard on an Acer Aspire 5534 laptop in this disassembly guide.
You’ll have to follow steps 1 and 6-12 to replace the keyboard.
September 21st, 2012 at 3:11 pm
I have an Acer Aspire One, I have three kids one of them spilled water on my keyboard over a year ago. Some keys work and some don’t. I don’t know the first thing about fixing this problem. Can anyone give me directions, i.e. (if I have to replace the keyboard.. )The cost? Where to get one? How to replace it?
November 15th, 2012 at 12:52 pm
i have a Toshiba laptop. The “i” doesn’t work What should i do?
November 18th, 2012 at 9:45 pm
hye, my keyboard down arrow is not functioning, can you show me how to repair this thing or do i need to change a new keyboard key?
April 24th, 2013 at 11:45 am
I stop using my toshiba laptop for almost 3 months. when i use it again last week, all the keys were not function even the space bar key. what can i do
April 24th, 2013 at 10:33 pm
@ Michael,
If some keys stopped working but all other keys work properly, most likely this is keyboard failure. You’ll have to replace the keyboard.