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Would you like to install a new keyboard in your Dell Inspiron 9400 or E1705 laptop? It’s relatively easy even for inexperienced users. In my guide I’ll be replacing a damaged keyboard with a new one I got here for less than $20. I mentioned Inspiron E1705 laptop because it has the same body and the keyboard replacement instructions should be identical for both models. Before you start, turn off the power, remove the battery and remove the AC adapter. STEP 1. Open up the display as far as it goes. Insert a small flat head screwdriver between the keyboard cover and laptop base and carefully lift up the cover. 
Continue removing the cover with your fingers. 
STEP 2. Remove two screws securing the keyboard. 
STEP 3. Carefully lift up the keyboard from the base and move it up so you can access the keyboard cable. 
STEP 4. The keyboard is connected to the motherboard via a flat ribbon cable. Before you can release the cable and remove the keyboard, the connector must be unlocked. Be very careful. The keyboard connector is permanently attached to the motherboard. If you accidentally damage the connector, you’ll have to replace the whole motherboard. 
On the picture below you see the connector in the locked state. 
The connector opens up like a door. You can open the connector with your fingernail. On the picture below you see the same connector in the unlocked position. 
STEP 5. Now you can pull the cable from the connector and remove the keyboard. 
Replace the damaged keyboard with a new one. 
My previous post explains how to add more memory and upgrade the video card. In one of the next posts I’ll explain how to disassemble the display panel and replace the LCD screen. If you are replacing the keyboard because of missing or broken keys, check out my previous post about fixing individual keyboard keys. Maybe it’s not necessary to replace the whole keyboard. UPDATE: in my next guides I explain how to replace LCD screen and fix damaged display hinge.
October 5th, 2009 at 7:31 am
Thank you for your site. I am director of a non-profit library, and money is scarce. I am sure you saved me $125 in replacing a keyboard. Sorry I don’t have extra money to donate, but I wanted you to know I appreciate what you do.
Best of luck
Paige Delaney
October 9th, 2009 at 11:37 am
Thanks for the guide. I am going to be trying this repair and I hope it works.
October 13th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
Excellent guide. Thank you for the help. FYI, same instructions work for the DELL PRECISION M6300.
I had a 9400 that I was keeping around for parts, removed the keyboard and put it into the Precision using these instructions.
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:51 am
Thank you for these clear and easy instructions. I have just followed them to replace the keyboard in my Inspiron 9400 (which Dell, to their credit, replaced under extended warranty, next day.)
I had assumed that step 1 worked the way you said, but it is reassuring to see pictures of someone else doing the same thing
Step 4, on the other hand, was an absolute winner for me – I’m certain that, had I not seen your guide, I just would have tugged until the motherboard broke.
Thanks again.
Mark in the UK
November 19th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
Great easy to follow instructions. You made installing my new keyboard a breeze.
Thank you so much.
Renata
January 4th, 2010 at 3:22 pm
Thanks SO much, man!!
This worked perfectly!
I’m typing on it now!! :~)
January 24th, 2010 at 8:04 pm
Thank you! I just replaced my Inspiron 9400 keyboard – thanks to your guidance! I have never had a laptop open before, and without your guidance, well…. Pics were great, by the way! Thanks ever so much.
February 7th, 2010 at 7:37 am
I cannot thank you enough for the savings. I was quoted $200 by a very well known national computer Geek Squad that not only would take $200 to replace the keyboard, but they would have to send my computer off for 10-15 work days. I bought the original keyboard online for $9 bucks and installed it within 2-minutes. I have just typed this email with the new keyboard. You are great, thank you from my $191 dollars of savings.
February 7th, 2010 at 3:45 pm
Mark,
I’m glad to help.
March 11th, 2010 at 7:40 am
Thanks for the tutorial. Fixed my cousin’s sticky U key just by removing the keyboard from its’ cradle then replacing. Another example of fixing something by taking apart and reassembling. No idea why it was sticking.
March 25th, 2010 at 9:42 am
Thanks much, followed along with no problems.
April 5th, 2010 at 6:56 pm
Great!! excellant site. I Thank yo for doing this, I wish The computer MFG were this helpful
April 11th, 2010 at 5:36 pm
Thank you very much.
I’ve just replaced my keyboard. Just took me five minutes.
Great!
May 29th, 2010 at 4:57 am
Thanks. Keep making the world a better place.
June 1st, 2010 at 3:00 pm
Thank you so much … I was looking at my Laptop wondering where to begin. It was a piece of cake and I am glad Dell made this repair non-dangerous. Again thanks!
June 21st, 2010 at 4:11 pm
I usually don’t leave raving comments on these sites, but you really saved me a lot of trouble with this great set of instructions. (But, argh, the cursor is still bouncing backward; gotta figure that out …) Your photos and directions were very clear. I thought I’d be using this site as a one-time only thing, but I’m bookmarking it for good. Thank you!
September 20th, 2010 at 10:06 am
this article did a really great job. it made changing my keyboard damn easy. especially step 4 was something, none of the other sites i came along really explained good enough, if even mentioning it. only problem was, that i didnt expect i would need such a really really tiny screwdriver
) … so after all, you made finishing this job really easy to me. thanks a lot!
October 4th, 2010 at 10:40 pm
[...] UPDATE: in next guides I explain how to fix damaged display hinge and how to replace damaged keyboard. [...]
October 9th, 2010 at 6:08 pm
Thank you! your site, 10$ keyboard on Amazon and sent you 10$ donation = 20$ to replace my keyboard several places around town wanted $150 PLUS parts.
October 9th, 2010 at 6:22 pm
chris,
Thank you for your kind donation!
December 24th, 2010 at 10:09 pm
Thank you. The keyboard is reinstalled. No more trying to boot up the computer two or three times. The new keyboard was the problem. After the keyboard was installed, I could do updates and the media center now works perfect as well. I have only one problem… The delete button does not work..??? Anything you can say to help me with that? THANK YOU!!!
January 28th, 2011 at 11:05 am
Off topic, but what on earth happened to the computer you were working on? Like all the key caps were ripped off? Did somebody’s cat use the keyboard as a scratching post?