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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.
May 19th, 2012 at 3:31 am
Brilliant, accurate website, just saved myself a fortune fixing my daughter’s Dell laptop. Many thanks.
May 17th, 2012 at 4:30 am
Thank you for the detailed instructions! My daughter spilled “water” on her laptop. After taking apart “water” it wasn’t! Water isn’t sticky! Regardless, ordered a new keyboard for $12.00 and replaced with ease with your instructions and we have a working laptop again! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
April 4th, 2012 at 6:47 am
Great instructions – did it without a single hitch, thanks!
March 6th, 2012 at 7:18 pm
This is great info, but what I need to know is the EXACT placement of the WiFi Antenna(s) in a Dell Inspiron 1545 laptop. the only info I have been able to find is similar to what is above.
February 26th, 2012 at 10:55 am
Awesome instructions!! I ordered the new keyboard and literally in 10 mins I had it installed and back up and running .. Saved a ton of money doing it myself.. TY so much!!
January 24th, 2012 at 12:59 pm
Awesome website took me 5 min to replace the broken keyboard. Sure beat the 250 Dell wanted to put it back under warranty
January 21st, 2012 at 2:46 pm
thanks very helpfull thought i would have to pay to put a new key pad in easy nice one.
January 17th, 2012 at 4:44 pm
thank you !!! my brother throw this laptop away because the keyboard error… now i can use the laptop..!
December 20th, 2011 at 4:53 pm
Thank you SO much for this article. I spilled mountain dew on my keyboard which left many keys sticky and slow. I also broke off the Ctrl key trying to clean it. Then my enter key stopped responding well from wear and tear. For $15 total I could order a replacement keyboard, and I was confident enough to do it myself thanks to your clear instructions and photos! THANK YOU!
Small note: When you are placing the new keyboard in, make sure the ribbon slides under the connector all the way. There are small tabs that should line up with holes on the edge. Once those have lined up you can flip down the brown connector and you’re good to go!
No more drinks around my laptop!
October 20th, 2011 at 10:11 am
very usefull
thank you