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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.
September 15th, 2011 at 7:42 am
@ Hussain,
Here’s something to try.
1. Insert the keyboard cable into the connector.
2. Place the broken piece back into the connector the way it should be.
3. Secure connection with sticky tape.
September 15th, 2011 at 7:37 am
Whilst trying replace keyboard I managed to break the item number 5 listed on the link below:
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins1520/en/sm/csl_key5.jpg
Any idea if I can get this bit separately?
September 13th, 2011 at 1:30 pm
fantastic this worked for my inspiron 1545 laptop. very useful. thank a lot
September 13th, 2011 at 11:57 am
Ok I found it :
You have to TAKE OUT the internal CD/DVD drive, and the external drive will take the lead !
I hope this could be helpfull !
September 13th, 2011 at 11:45 am
Hello my CD/DVD is broke. And I’m trying to (re)install Windows Vista in this laptop.
So I take an external CD/DVD drive. The problem is : I try to boot from the external drive but the laptop don’t recognize it. Even if I put boot priority to “USB device”
Somebody have a clue ? Thanks !!!
July 2nd, 2011 at 5:00 am
thank you very much for posting this. I successfully replaced my keyboard in a matter of minutes because of your precise, clear instructions. I have never done anything like this before.
When my financial situation improves, I will definitely make a donation. Thanks again. I am grateful to have been able to fix this so easily.
June 21st, 2011 at 1:27 pm
On my keyboard, the ASDF and the JKL; keys stopped being responsive. I’ve tried:
1. reinstalling the driver
2. taking out the keys and cleaning underneath
3. doing a “system restore” to a point before the problem occurred.
These haven’t helped. Should I get a new keyboard or is there something else to try first?
Thanks.
June 21st, 2011 at 12:56 pm
Tnx for this great manual however after replaced the kb there is now way i can connect the cable withe the “brown part of the connector” (step 7) again. the thiong won’t “click”….any tips please?
June 20th, 2011 at 11:47 pm
very usefull thank you
June 5th, 2011 at 9:10 am
@ Lee,
If a new keyboard didn’t fix the problem, most likely this is motherboard related.
Take a look inside the keyboard connector on the motherboard. Is it clean? Maybe one of the pins got oxidized and doesn’t make good connection with the keyboard ribbon cable.
You can try cleaning the connector with tooth brash and 99% alcohol. Just make sure the laptop is turned off and battery removed before the cleaning.
If it doesn’t help. I guess there is no much you can do. Something wrong with the motherboard.