How to Troubleshoot a Laptop Keyboard

The keyboard on a laptop takes a large amount of abuse. Not only is it subject to the routine wear and tear that traditional keyboards are exposed to, it is also exposed to the additional environmental hazards unique to the portability of the machine. This component, as a result, is designed to take a high amount of abuse.

Contrary to popular opinion one does not have to discard a laptop should the keyboard fail. Manufacturers design laptops to allow this component to be replaced with a varying degree of complexity. Dell and IBM even have step-by-step replacement instructions within the service manuals that they publish on the Internet.

If the keys are sticking on your laptop keyboard there is a possibility that the keyboard may just be dirty. Here is how to determine if dirt is the cause of your keyboard difficulties and how to handle the situation even if your laptop keyboard needs to be replaced.

Things You Need:
Distilled Water
Lint-Free Cloth
Canned Air
Small Paintbrush
Electronics Cleaner

Step One:
Power off your laptop by going to Start, Shut Down.

Step Two:
Remove the battery from your laptop and disconnect the machine from the electrical outlet.

Step Three:
Disconnect any other cables that may be attached to your machine.

Step Four:
Wipe off the keyboard area with a lint free cloth that is moistened with distilled water. Make sure that the cloth is not dripping wet, and only use distilled water for this purpose. Regular water and other cleaners contain minerals and other ingredients that may interfere with the electrical components on your keyboard.

Step Five:
Turn your laptop upon its side. Use canned air to spray underneath the keys starting at the top and working your way down to dislodge any dirt and debris that may be stuck underneath your keys. Use the brush to remove stubborn pieces and to ensure that you free every last piece of dirt from the bottom of the keyboard.

Step Six:
Replace the battery and wall power connector. Position the laptop in a normal operating position and power on. Open Notepad or another word processing program and test every key to see if this solved your issue.

Step Seven:
If some of your keys are still sticking, power off the laptop once again, remove the battery and disconnect from the wall power. Turn your laptop upon its side once again and spray the stuck keys with electronics cleaner. Use the brush that comes with the cleaner to scrub underneath the keys if you are able to access this area. Allow to dry thoroughly (overnight is preferred) before reinstalling the battery and reconnecting the wall power to test.

If your keys are still sticking after cleaning with electronics cleaner the chances are high that your keyboard needs to be replaced. To confirm, connect an external USB keyboard to the machine and verify that all of the keys are functional when you use this device, or use Microsoft's on-screen keyboard and your touchpad to test.

You can order replacement keyboards from your laptop manufacturer or find compatible replacements for sale on eBay. While you are waiting for your keyboard to arrive you can continue using the laptop with an external USB keyboard or by using Microsoft's on-screen keyboard.

After you replace your laptop keyboard (or before trouble starts), maintain your system on occasion by using the steps outlined in the first five steps of this tutorial. Installing a silicone keyboard protector can also help to increase the life of your keyboard as well.

The next time your laptop keyboard starts acting up, rest assured in the knowledge that you can repair the machine yourself and avoid the expense of a new laptop.

Tips:
If one of the keys happen to pop off while you are cleaning, align the key with its socket and press it gently but firmly into place. You will hear a gentle click as the key pops back into place.

Resources:
"Upgrading and Repairing Laptops;" Scott Mueller; 2003.

Related Articles:
How to Survive When Your Keyboard Breaks
How to Replace the Keyboard on a Toshiba Satellite A105 Laptop