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In the following guide I explain how to remove and replace the keyboard in a Dell Inspiron 1545 laptop. You can use this guide if the keyboard stopped working properly or you accidentally spilled something on the keyboard and damaged it.
Most likely this guide will work for some other Dell models. If it works for you, please mention the laptop model number in comments after the post.
STEP 1.
Turn off the laptop, unplug the AC adapter and remove the battery.
In the battery compartment you’ll find two screws securing the center control cover. Remove both screws.
STEP 2.
Insert a flat head screwdriver between the control cover and laptop base and carefully lift up the cover.
Continue removing the center control cover with your fingers.
STEP 3.
Remove the center control cover.
STEP 4.
Remove two screws securing the keyboard.
STEP 5.
Lift up the top side of the keyboard as it shown on the picture below.
Be careful, the keyboard is attached to the motherboard with a flat ribbon cable.
STEP 6.
Remove the keyboard so you can access the keyboard cable underneath.
The keyboard cable can be removed from the connector only after the connector is unlocked.
WARNING! If you damage the keyboard connector, you’ll have to replace the whole motherboard. The keyboard connector is permanently attached to the motherboard.
STEP 7.
On the picture below the keyboard connector is shown in the locked position.
Carefully flip the brown part of the connector up, so it opens up at a 90 degree angle.
On the picture below the keyboard connector is shown in the unlocked position.
STEP 8.
Now you can pull the keyboard cable from the connector and remove the keyboard from the laptop.
Replace the failed/damaged keyboard with a new compatible keyboard.
You can search for a new keyboard by the Dell part number printed on the sticker. In my case the part number is 0P446J.
On the following picture you can see how to access other main components of this Dell Inspiron 1545 laptop.
1. In order to remove the CD/DVD drive, you’ll have to remove one screw securing the drive (yellow circle) and pull the drive from the laptop.
2. In order to remove the hard drive, you’ll have to remove two screws securing the hard drive caddy (green screws) and pull the hard drive assembly from the laptop.
3. Both memory modules (RAM modules) and wireless card can be accessed and removed after you remove the base cover.
4. The CPU (processor) is mounted under the heatsink.
In one of the next guides I explain how to replace LCD screen on Dell Inspiron 1545 laptop.
March 26th, 2011 at 8:10 am
how easy is it to replace the cmos battery on this laptop & where is it located..
many thanks
March 9th, 2011 at 5:03 pm
Thanks! Your instructions allowed me to confidently do this in about 5 minutes.
February 9th, 2011 at 10:53 am
I am working on this kind of laptop. and the lock clip broke for the keyboard.. Do you happen to know where to get one?
February 3rd, 2011 at 7:43 am
Hello & Thank You,
Your Posting Showed Me How To Remove The Keyboard The Easy Way And Saved Me From Damaging The Ribbon Cable And Or MoBo.
Do You Sell Replacement Parts Like This Keyboard Online?
DIY’ers Like Me Would Rather Patronize Someone Like Yourself Who Took The Time To Be Helpful And Directive.
Cheers, ALx
December 30th, 2010 at 3:12 am
hi, i left a deal on one of ur sites a day or two ago and cant seem to find it so making another one so maybe i can figure this problem out. i got a laptop from a guy for free that was stepped on. after i got it i checked to see if it would come on it didnt. i found out that the motherboard was bad and the screen and back cover and front trim and the hard drive. so i ordered all that and put it all in and the screen was still dim to were u could barley see it.. so i decided that it was the inverter cause i didnt do that yet so i ordered one of them put that in and still didnt work. so we had another screen that was stained in the back and smaller not from a dell i hooked it up and it came on. so well i was thinking that the new screen i had ordered and put in there that they sent me a bad one. so i called them they sent me another one and i just put that in there and started it up a half hour ago and its doing the same thing really really dim. so i dont now whether to order another imverter thinking that maybe that other screen i put in there took out the inverter cause i cant even get that one to come back up now or if its the ribbon cable behind the screen that is bad ? im so puzzled at this point i was wondering if u could help me out here. thanks.
December 18th, 2010 at 7:56 am
Hi. Thanks for the very detailed instructions. Somebody at work actually poured a whole glass of water on the keyboard and I did not know about it and left it on for more than 12 hours. Only then I realize. I’m currently looking for the keyboard replacement on the Dell site but they do not have it. Maybe I’m just not too great with the site but if anyone could post the link for me would be a great help. I sent it to the tech support guys in Malaysia and they are total morons. Currently using an external keyboard to type.
December 18th, 2010 at 12:54 am
hi, I want to replace the inverter on my inspiron 1545 and it dose not seem to be in the usual place. Can you tell me where to find it and how to get to it?
Thanks
Davie Sinclair
December 8th, 2010 at 10:20 am
Please find enclosed many karma points for this impeccably perfect webpage.
November 24th, 2010 at 2:49 pm
I can’t even begin to thank you enough for these detailed instructions. I was able to replace my tea-drenched keyboard in less than 5 minutes. Four of those minutes were spent cleaning dog hair from inside of the computer…. Thank you again!!!
November 16th, 2010 at 3:52 pm
How do I replace the mouse buttons? Do you know the part #?