Help. Need To Replace Keyboard In Laptop

I see them for 21.oo bucks on amazon. Is this way hard to do? I knew it was going bad on me, and today, I realize it's either try and replace it, or go without a puter, I'm sure I'd survive, but I would like to talk to someone that's done this.

thanks much for any help. PS the space key is totaled no fixing it for sure

 

It would help if we knew the make and model of laptop.

But, I've had to replace keyboards on two Dell laptops. One I downloaded the Service Manual for, followed the instructions and everything went smoothly. The other, I watched YouTube videos on how to replace the keyboard and had no problems doing so.

I think your best bet is to go to the manufacturer's support site and download the Service Manual for your particular laptop. Keyboards are one of the easier replacements.

 

It's in my signature, thank u for the info

 

this vid looks pretty good, do you think so? I can do this. I tried to find a service manual, and thought I would search for a video instead.

 

Looks like a good video illustrating how to do it. I must say, it's a little more involved to do than on any of my 4 Dells but, not difficult. You'll need either a #0 or #1 Phillips screw driver and something to pry up the cover strip.

 

Ok I got it ordered I'll get in on the 6th. I've got a good tool kit and I know I'll have to be careful I'm pretty excited about doing this I really appreciate you working with me mdonah I'll let you know here how it goes.

 

One caveat I forgot to mention is be careful with the ribbon cable — they're fragile and any crimp could break a connection in the cable. Make sure it's fully seated in the connector on the laptop before locking it in as shown in the video.

 

Will do Thank you again

 

I've replaced dozens of laptop keyboards without a hustle. That video pretty much sums it up, however, I wouldn't use a knife like he did. A moment of carelessness and you could end up damaging your laptop. I use guitar picks for this kind of work and have also bought myself a set of prying tools on Aliexpress for 95c.

 

I agree about the knife. A plastic scribe is the recommended tool. You won't mar the cover strip or cut anything underneath.

 

Exactly. I'll post an image of the tools I use once I get home.

 

I agree, and was cringing during that part of the video. Look forward to the link, but I do have a stylus that is basically shaped just like a guitar pick. I can use that or anything non-metal or sharp for sure. Thanks much It's going to be here Saturday if tracking is reliable

 

I see from your Signature that you're back to V 1511, 10586.545. Did you have problems running the Anniversary Update?

 

I wasn't able to find the tools it seems I've lent them to my brother, but they look exactly the same as the ones in the middle of this pic.

http://i.imgur.com/MHrDIaC.jpg

Good luck

 

Yes, I had some issues, so I went back to the one I got with the free upgrade to Win10. I'm happy with that for now. It's not a priority for me to upgrade right now. Maybe later, ty anyway.

 

Thank you for the link plodr. I am going to check amazon and ebay first because I already have accounts with them If not, I'll see about this site/reviews etc.

 

Went off without a hitch guys! Still have an issue which I am afraid to mention, but the space bar still misses sometimes. Mostly not, buttheremust be something more inthe mainpart of pc.I left themistakes in thismessage so you guys could see how many times it's not spacing.

If I slow down and emphasize hitting the spacebar it seems to be fine but that isn't 100% clean spacing so I don't know what might be next for me to fix. I hope nothing major, but ifanyone knows what might cause thisissuewould you let me know?

Thank you, Denise

PSIneeded the new keyboard,but this isn't right yet The other keys connect every time.

 

It looks to me like the new keyboard is defective and you should send it back and get a replacement. Contact the seller and get an RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) and get your money back if he/she doesn't have another one to send you as a replacement.

 

with the same key screwing up?? All the other keys are working perfectly, only the space-bar key is not. I think there must be other possibilities?? Maybe not, but I'd like to wait for any other input before I send this back.

 

I don't know if you bought the keyboard as brand new, refurbished or used. But, the same key not working on the replacement keyboard indicates that it's defective possibly because someone was heavy thumbed.

The only other possibilities are intermittent breaks in the ribbon cable, the cable's not seated properly or there's a problem with the connector on the laptop — if that's the case, you'd need to replace the system board because the connector is surface mounted from what I saw in the video.

 

Will a keyboard with a USB hook to my laptop? I'm sending the keyboard back as that's the easiest thing to do to find out. But I'm hoping I might be able to use a regular keyboard until it gets refunded, and I can get a replacement. Thanks, denise

 

Yes, you can hook a USB keyboard to your laptop. You'll need to wait for Windows to load before you can use it though.

 

Brand new keyboard by the way, forgot to answer that for you. Made in China. I also found the answer for my using a regular keyboard w/USB cord Yes I can use one with my laptop. Ithought so just wasn't sure I will do that until I can try another laptop keyboard, thank you again, Denise

 

You mean for Windows to acknowledge the keyboard right? I'm sure that's what you mean, like plugging anything else into a USB port like my flash drive etc

 

Is there any sort of test I can run on my laptop to see if there is anything wrong in the laptop that would effect only that key? I doubt it, but thought I should ask. Someone mentioned running a BIOS, something like that I read.

 

Ok, after putting the old keyboard back on I checked space-bar key with plastic key removed. Underneath there is a little rubbery button that the key is suppose to press on each time you type the key. When just pressing the little rubber thing, the spacing is perfect so it's not my laptop. It is the key, I think. The rubber thingy looks fine, no dirt, dust or any kind of abnormality that I know of. And as I said, it spaces each time I press it.

I think I am right in saying it had to be the key (keys) on both keyboards weird as that seems to me. Feedback welcome. I am getting a refund for the new keyboard, and will order another. I notice walmart site has the very, same keyboard "new" as well, for a cheaper price. Plus, if that one doesn't work either, I will get to return it at Walmart same day. I hope the next one works though. Thanks for the help, and as I said, feedback welcome. I'd like to hear from anyone that has gotten a new keyboard, or anything, and had the same defect denise

 

The 'little rubbery button' should be part of a thin rubber 'mat'. You'll need to (again) remove the keyboard and then carefully remove the rubber mat. Clean the underside of the mat as well as the contact surface. I used methelated spirits and a soft lint free cloth for cleaning the mat and circuit board of a remote control.
I'm still trying to figure out how the grime got between the rubber mat and the circuit board.
Take great care when doing this.

 

Wouldn't she need to remove all of the keys from the keyboard and then make sure she doesn't mess up when trying to get them back on? It seems a bit much when it's a lot easier to just replace the keyboard. I could see doing what you did on a $100+US remote control (the remote for one of my Dolby Surround receivers is $110US).

 

Thanks mdonah.
outdoorgal, please ignore my post. I was thinking of my desktop keyboard which is due for a bath. Seriously.

 

Hi Eldon & Mdonah,

here are pics for you. I don't see a rubber mat. But this is what it all looks like, not the new keyboard though. Not going to risk breaking it because I plan to send it back Sorry about the blur, took these with my phone. If you want better I could use my regular camera. Denise

 

I can't see the "rubber thingy" you spoke of.

 

LOL, don't you just love my tekkie language See where the line points to:

 

Unfortunately, I don't know what that's for.

 

LOL, the little rubber thingy, when pressed, makes a space. So somehow, my keys (the actual plastic key) is not coming down on the little rubber thingy the right way. Without the plastic key I can press the little rubber thingy like I am doing now to write to you I'm getting so used to doing this that I don't think I need the plastic keys anymore. I think I will take all the keys off and just type using the little rubber thingys because they work really good

Seriously though, I can't understand 2 keyboards both being screwed up, but maybe 3rd keyboard will be "the 3rd time is a charm". I sure hope so because honestly, I am beginning to hate this little rubber thingy

 

Hey All,

Received my new keyboard today and it works, no issues with this one. I am so glad. I guess whenever we buy anything online or off, we can always get a "lemon". 2nd order was the charm though. Wanted you all to know if you are still subscribed to this thread. Thanks so much, especially to mdonah for the "return to sender" because it was defective (the first keyboard). I also ordered from another company, but was taking a chance doing that. The same keyboard was less expensive though so I went for it.

Thank you all again, denise