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
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 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 !!!!!!!!!!
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.
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?
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.
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 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 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 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 2nd, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Hey, thanks!!!
I fixed the key on my laptop with the instructions you mentioned in Keyboard Related Problems!