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Today I will remove and replace a damaged keyboard on a Dell Inspiron 1525 laptop. I’m replacing the keyboard because my customer spilled soda on it and all keys are sticky. If you need a new keyboard for your Dell Inspiron 1525 laptop you can find it here for less than $20.
By the way, here’s how you can fix individual keys on a laptop keyboard.
First of all, turn off the laptop, unplug the power adapter and remove the battery.
STEP 1.
Remove two screws in the battery compartment. These screws securing the keyboard bezel.
STEP 2.
Carefully lift up one side of the keyboard bezel with a screwdriver.
STEP 3.
Continue removing the keyboard bezel with your fingers. Be careful, there is a thin ribbon cable connecting the button board to the motherboard. The cable has to stay connected to the motherboard.
STEP 4.
Turn the keyboard bezel over. Make sure the cable is still connected.
Remove two screws securing the keyboard.
STEP 5.
Lift up the keyboard.
The keyboard is connected to the motherboard via a flat ribbon cable. Before you can remove the keyboard, you’ll have to unlock the connector and release the cable.
On the picture below you can see the connector in the locked position.
Now the connector is unlocked and the cable can be released.
STEP 6.
Remove and replace the damaged keyboard with a new keyboard.
The keyboard part number could be found on the sticker. The part number follows letters CN. In my laptop the keyboard part number is 0NK750.
Static electricity can kill your laptop. I recommend wearing an anti-static wrist strap while working with internal parts of your laptop.
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September 8th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
David,
You are looking at the complete keyboard replacement. I have exactly the same problem with the “Z” key (had to press 5 times to make it appear on the screen).
Even if you remove the key cap, you will not be able to access and clean contacts. They are hidden inside.
You can find a brand new keyboard for Inspiron 1521 for about $15.
September 8th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Ian,
I really doubt that you can purchase this parts separately. It’s a part of the connector.
September 6th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
Keyboard ribbon connector clip broke. The black tab that snaps down on the ribbon at the connector. Can I get another and if so where? Also does the ribbon need to be pushed into the connector , if so maybe I can do without the black clip and use tape? I am afraid to be forceful.
September 6th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Hey! My wife has a Dell Inspiron 1521. The “A” key is only intermittently functional at this point (guessing due to over use by my 5 and 7 yr old). What is the best way to take off the “A” key and see if something has come loose or needs cleaning? Or am I looking at a complete keyboard replacement? As far as I know, it’s only the one key that is acting up.
Thanks for all the info!
David.
September 3rd, 2009 at 9:45 pm
I dropped my dell inspiron 1525 and the screen is now filled with colourful vertical lines.
Does the whole screen need to be replaced?
Or can it be repaired somehow?
Thanks!
August 31st, 2009 at 7:32 pm
My nephew has a Dell Inspiron 1525 that had a beverage spill…………….immediately turned off, removed battery and turned upside down………….have not taken off the keyboard/top yet to inspect for damage.
Laptop powers up, but black screen……………..
does this sound like a Mother Board replacement is needed?
I appreciate any help you may have………….also, any links on how to change the motherboard if you feel that is what is causing the problem.
Thanks!
August 26th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
bob,
I haven’t created the fan replacement guide yet but you can follow instruction in the service manual. The cooling fan is mounted under the motherboard, so you’ll have to take the whole thing apart and remove the motherboard.
August 26th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Hi,
Someone earlier asked if you had a step by step for replacing the fan on the Inspiron 1525, but I didn’t see a response. I was just wondering if you have one. Thanks
August 24th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
Brandi,
On the photo 4 I’m holding the keyboard cover. On the picture 5 the same cover is upside down and I don’t see any connector. Not sure what you are asking about.
Take a look at the official service manual for Inspiron 1525 laptops. Maybe pictures in the manual will help you.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
thank you so much. i dropped tea on my key board, so the buttons were too sticky. i took the keyboard off by your help, washed and dried it. then i put it back. everything is very good now. no problem any more. thank you very very much
August 24th, 2009 at 10:45 am
Question about step 4 photo. Where your thumb is hiding there is a connector underneath. during the removal of the keyboard it came unhooked and we can’t find where it connects to again. It sits right where your thumb is covering in step 4 photo. Thanks
August 18th, 2009 at 11:03 am
Leo,
If these keys just stopped working, probably it’s a bad keyboard. You’ll have to replace the keyboard.
August 18th, 2009 at 11:03 am
Tim Nichols,
Make sure the keyboard cable is properly connected to the motherboard. The cable connector has to be locked.
August 18th, 2009 at 2:41 am
I have installed a new keyboard as instructed, but nothing happens when I switch and press the keys, is there something particular locking the connector
August 18th, 2009 at 2:14 am
my q, w, a, s, z, x, Caps, backslash, 1, 2 and the one left of the 1 key don’t work at all on my Inspiron 1525 keyboard, but do work on my onscreen keyboard – I’m guessing it is something to do with the keys not being connected to the motherboard.. please help me!
August 11th, 2009 at 8:14 am
Thank you!! very helpful!!
August 7th, 2009 at 8:57 am
DO YOU KNOW HOW TO CLEAN THE KEYBOARD AFTER REMOVAL?PROBLEM BEING SOMEONE DROPPED ON IT AND NOW I HAVE STICKY KEYS.
August 2nd, 2009 at 1:26 pm
When I try to take off the keyboard it appears to be held in place by the touchpad/palmrest, how do I fix it?
July 26th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
I need instructions on how to replace touch pad for a dell 1525.
July 19th, 2009 at 12:59 am
Seth,
Try reconnecting the keyboard cable on the motherboard. If it doesn’t help, try replacing the keyboard. Most likely it’s just a bad keyboard.
July 12th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
I have an Inspiron 1525 and my 3,e,d,c row is only working half the time… somtimes they work, sometimes they don’t. I have to play with them way too much to get them to even respond. this message actually really sucked to write… please help! Is this a keyboard issue only?…or somthing deeper?
July 11th, 2009 at 8:12 am
Can the fan be changed from behind the keyboard..My fan is broken and i need to change it.
Thanks
July 9th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
rob,
You’ll have to disassemble the display panel and remove the LCD screen. The display disassembly steps will be similar for many different Dell laptops. Take a look at the Dell category on the right side and read through a few guides. You’ll get the idea.
July 9th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
do u have a guide on how to replace the hinges on the inspiron 1525?
July 7th, 2009 at 11:13 am
Thanks ,had it done in a few minutes, this was perfect!
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:25 am
Thank You for your comments. I appreciate your expertise. These tutorials are very helpful, as well!
July 1st, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Babette Butler,
I doubt that. Apparently, your friend spilled soda when the laptop was turned on. The liquid went down to the motherboard and damaged some components. Cleaning the motherboard will not fix damaged components.
July 1st, 2009 at 2:47 pm
Thank You for your prompt response!
Yes, I patiently cleaned off all the ‘exposed’ contacts after taking off the keyboard and the bottom plate; but, without removing every single component. Could it come back to life after an even more extensive cleaning?
July 1st, 2009 at 8:53 am
Babette Butler,
There is not much you can do. Did you clean off sticky spots from the motherboard? Apparently, the motherboard was damaged by liquid and has to be replaced.
June 30th, 2009 at 9:38 am
A friend’s Dell Inspiron 1525 had soda spilled into it. I have opened and carefully cleaned off all sticky spots with alcohol and Q-tips. I get no power light BUT I get HD and WiFi LCD lights when plugged in and turned on. There is no movement of fan and a black screen. No sound…what in the world can I do?