Keyboard
In laptops, a keyboard is the main input device. It’s interface between a user and a laptop.
In most laptops the keyboard is connected directly to the motherboard via a flat ribbon cable.
KEYBOARD REMOVAL STEPS.
In most laptops you can remove the keyboard as it explained in the following three steps.
STEP 1.
Remove keyboard bezel.
STEP 2.
Unscrew the keyboard from the laptop base. Usually there is one or more screws securing the keyboard.
STEP 3.
Disconnect the keyboard cable from the motherboard and remove the keyboard.
KEYBOARD RELATED PROBLEMS.
1. Here’s a very common “keyboard related problem”. When you press on keys U, I, O, J, K, L, M the keyboard types 4, 5, 6, 1, 2, 3, 0. It happens because the “Number Lock” function is enabled. You can turn this function off via a shortcut on the keyboard. Hold down the Fn key and at the same time press once on the NumLk key.
2. One or more keyboard keys came off. You can install these keys back on the keyboard using this method.
3. When you press on one key it types two letters. For example, you press on W but it types WE, you press on T and it types TY, etc… Most likely this problem is related to the keyboard and it has to be replaced.
4. Some keys in horizontal or diagonal row stopped working at all. Again, most likely there is a problem with the keyboard and it has to be replaced.
ATTENTION! If you still have the same issue after replacing the keyboard, there could be a problem with the keyboard controller on the motherboard. It means the whole motherboard has to be replaced.
A laptop keyboard is not repairable. If it stopped working, you have to replace the whole unit.
Laptop parts | Repair Man | 
December 26, 2008 3:03 pm
January 2nd, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Hey, thanks!!!
I fixed the key on my laptop with the instructions you mentioned in Keyboard Related Problems!
January 3rd, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Be very careful if you fixing it yourself.
I was replacing the keyboard without knowing what I’m doing and accidentally broke the connector.
The repair shop said now I need new motherboard. They cannot replace the connector. Too expensive. Using it with external keyboard now.
January 3rd, 2009 at 10:01 pm
TO ALL,
Please be very careful when you disconnect the keyboard. If you break the connector on the motherboard you’ll have to replace the motherboard. On some laptops the keyboard connector is very fragile and has to be handled very gently.
January 5th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Spilled a little bit cola over the keyboard. Some keys are sticky now and do not work. The laptop works with external keyboard.
Can I clean the spill?
January 6th, 2009 at 9:15 am
Tamara,
You are lucky that your laptop works at all. Apparently you only damaged the keyboard.
Unfortunately, it’s very hard to clean keyboards because when you spill something on it, the liquid gets deep under the keys and shorts contacts. You’ll have to replace the keyboard.
January 12th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
My cat jumped on the keyboard and pulled one key off “K” keys. I searched Google and fond instructions how to fix removed keyboard key:
http://www.laptoprepair101.com/laptop/2007/03/20/key-fell-off-keyboard/
I hope it helps.
April 28th, 2009 at 12:12 am
Hi, customer sent us a defective laptop keyboard which is not working, even one key. the brand and model is dell latitude c600. first i pull out the ribbon wire from the connector, and reset it. Then, the keyboard works fine, after rebooting and testing it. i noticed there are several keys which is not working. like keys b, n. ?. i think 5 or more keys which are not working, but the rest are just fine. And then, turn it off again, and remove the bezel, and i pull each one of the defective keys and gently clean the carbon under it with an eraser. after resetting it all, i turn on the laptop once again. But when i test it, the keyboard back to its original problem and no matter what i did, nothing happens. I just told the customer to buy an external keyboard, because the keyboard is already defective and we can do nothing about it, except for him to buy an external keyboard. so that he can just use his laptop. Was my decision right?
April 28th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Winston,
Could be a bad keyboard or there is a problem with the keyboard controller on the motherboard. In order to find out which one is causing the problem, you’ll have to test the laptop with another known good keyboard. If you still experience the same problem even after you replace the keyboard, apparently it’s bad keyboard controller and the motherboard has to be replaced too.
I would try replacing the internal keyboard first. It shouldn’t be very expensive.
May 4th, 2009 at 10:50 am
Hello…
I need to disassemble my HCL notebook K21 PDC.
The keyboard is not working, but some keys relating to the function key are working well(ONLY NINE KEYS). But the function key is as well not working.
Can you help me to how to disassemble this model.
I have unscrewed every joint in it but still am unable to pop out the keyboard.
How do I do it?
Help !!!!!!!!!!
May 4th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
rishidevdas,
I’m not familiar with your laptop at all, but they all are kind of similar. If you removed all screws from the bottom but still cannot pop out the keyboard, apparently there is a plastic bezel holding the keyboard in place.
Check out this keyboard removal guide, maybe it’s similar to your laptop.
May 8th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
My laptop started making repetitive beeps on startup and wouldn’t stop unless I hit a few different keys. I replaced the keyboard and now the laptop works properly. Just would like to share with you.
May 16th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
I have a Satellite 1130-S155 (yes, really old but going strong) and a Satellite A135-S4447. Many of the letters of the keyboard pads are worn off & need replaced. Where can I find the just the pads as the keyboards work just fine otherwise? PS Sorry for leaving this on the wireless card location earlier.
May 16th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
William,
You can buy individual pads on eBay but they are about $3-7 each. If you have a lot of keys worn off it makes sense to replace the whole keyboard which you can buy for about $20 here.
If you don’t know how to replace the keyboard, you can purchase a new keyboard, remove keys you need and install them on the old keyboard.
July 5th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
Well, I spilled some water on my laptop and my keyboard wouldn’t work after that, like when I pressed one letter two would come up, my computer beeped on startup. So I ordered a brand new internal keyboard from amazon and my friend put it in for me. So, sometimes it works just fine, and then other times it doesn’t. For example, the p is an asterisk, then the letters are numbers as described above in common keyboard related issues. What is going on? How come it works sometimes, (like right now) and other times it doesn’t? Also, I have restarted it, turned it off and rebooted it, like 8 times and still had the same issue. It’s like it works when it wants too. Do you have any thoughts, repair man? thank you so much!
-Pamela
July 6th, 2009 at 7:32 am
Update:
It happened again this morning and I tried the fn and number key trick and it worked. Now, why do you suppose it makes it number lock on its own? Is that something I should be worried about and fix? Wow, I’m so grateful, thankyou thankyou thankyou! I thought I was going to have to ger another computer!
September 4th, 2009 at 10:37 pm
Can I test my labtop keyboard using a PC. there a set up keyboard software but it does not explain how to set up using reg PC
September 8th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
TA,
Nope, you cannot do that.
October 2nd, 2009 at 6:43 am
Is there a different name for the mouse pad (controller) below the keyboard? I am trying to fins a cover for it or turn it off. I am constantly hitting it with my hands and moving my cursor to different spots while typing.
October 10th, 2009 at 1:38 am
hello… I just wanna ask if one of the key doesnt work, do I need to replace the keyboard ?one of my key just stop fuctioning all of sudden.
October 10th, 2009 at 8:31 am
TD,
It’s called touch pad. You should be able to disable the touch pad in the control panel.
Go to Control Panel >> Mouse and search in there.
If you have a Toshiba laptop you can hold down the Fn key and at the same time press once on the F9 key. This combination will enable or disable the touch pad.
October 10th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
nella61,
If one of the keyboard keys stopped working completely, but all other keys work properly, you’ll have to replace the keyboard.
April 16th, 2010 at 11:52 am
My cat tore off 3 of my Toshiba laptop keys, and I don’t have money to fix it because I’m only 13. So, is there any way I can fix it? The keys still work when I press on them its just really hard to type normally, right now I am on my mom’s old win xp computer to send this. Mine is a Win 7 and I got it for Christmas in 2009, I’d like a reply back if there is any way to fix my keys, I don’t think they snap back on like other keyboards…
April 16th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
Brandi Johnson,
Yes, it’s possible to fix them. Do you still have all these keys?
You can install them back on the keyboard using this guide:
http://www.laptoprepair101.com/laptop/2007/03/20/key-fell-off-keyboard/
August 5th, 2010 at 8:23 pm
How do you turn off the touch pad mouse at the bottom of the keyboard, my wife uses her laptop as her work comp. but prefers a wireless mouse. She is constantly having problems with fingers or wrists sliding across it and messing things up.thx.kc
August 7th, 2010 at 2:03 pm
Keith Collin,
Depends on the model of your laptop. For example, on Toshiba laptops you use Fn+F9 keyboard shortcut to enable/disable the touchpad.
August 18th, 2010 at 10:43 am
pls if a keyboard key is stiff,4 example letter G is stiff what can i do ? on less u press it by force.
August 18th, 2010 at 9:19 pm
DAVID,
Probably something got stuck under the key.
1. Blow off the keyboard with air compressor (or canned air). This will removed dirt/dust collected under the keys.
2. If it doesn’t help. You can carefully remove the key cap and clean it up. After that install the key cap back on the keyboard. Again, be very careful.
http://www.laptoprepair101.com/laptop/2007/03/20/key-fell-off-keyboard/
August 28th, 2010 at 2:33 am
please i have a laptop to repair and is (HP dv5)AND I WANT TO REMOVE THE KEYBORAD what step will i take to remove it. please help. i enjoy dis website.
August 28th, 2010 at 9:24 am
David,
Download this service manual for HP Pavilion dv5 notebook PCs.
The manual has step by step notebook disassembly instructions. You’ll find keyboard replacement instructions on the page 69 in Component replacement procedures chapter.
September 6th, 2010 at 1:33 am
Thanks for the service manual for HP Pavilion dv5 notebook PC i appreciate your gift of love to me. Remain bless. David.
January 5th, 2011 at 9:25 am
Hi,
There is a little black plastic part that secures the keyboard membrane
cable to the motherboard. I broke the one on my laptop as I was trying
to change the keyboard
here is a photo of the part
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cylite/5327512902/
Please let me know if you have the part or where I can find it.
Best wishes
Andreas
January 7th, 2011 at 9:22 pm
Andreas,
Here’s what you can try:
1. Insert keyboard cable into connector on the motherboard.
2. Place the locking tab in place.
3. Secure everything with sticky tape.
Take a look at this guide, could be helpful: http://www.laptoprepair101.com/laptop/2009/11/17/fix-broken-keyboard-connector-on-laptop-motherboard/
April 26th, 2011 at 11:04 pm
Where to buy fujitsu fmv biblo mg12d keyboard?
July 28th, 2011 at 4:54 am
good clarification thanks
October 2nd, 2011 at 5:10 am
thanks! your really did help me. i thought my keyboard was broken.