Laptop Keyboard Problems

Certain laptop keyboard problems can easily be taken care of at home, instead of taking your keyboard to a service center. Read the article for methods to diagnose, solve and prevent a few keyboard problems.

Laptop keyboards are more delicate than desktop ones, so their keys suffer higher wear and tear. Many people replace the keyboard when problems appear, not realizing that a lot of these issues can be solved and even prevented by regular cleaning. Problems like some keys not functioning, or having to press keys hard to get an output, can usually be fixed at home. Below are the common keyboard problems and how to deal with them — starting with a general checklist, then cleaning and lubrication, and finally software-related quirks.

When the Keyboard or Its Keys Don't Work

Before assuming the worst, check the obvious. There can be many causes — from a loose connection to faulty drivers — so work through these steps:

• Reconnect the keyboard and restart the computer. Make sure the plug is properly seated in the correct socket behind the CPU (a common mistake is inserting the keyboard plug into the socket meant for the mouse) or, for a USB keyboard, firmly in the USB port.
• Turn off the computer, unplug the wire and check for broken or bent pins. Straighten bent pins gently with tweezers; if pins are broken, the keyboard will need replacing.
• Try a different keyboard. If the replacement works, your old keyboard is at fault; if it doesn't, the problem lies in the port, connectors, or an operating-system compatibility issue.
• Reset the BIOS (basic input/output system) to its default settings so it re-recognizes the hardware.
• Check the drivers via My Computer → Hardware → Device Manager (or Start → Settings → Control Panel → System). A red exclamation mark or "X" next to the keyboard means a driver problem — update or reinstall the driver from the manufacturer's website or installation disk, or select the keyboard, choose "remove," and restart to reconfigure it. For a multimedia keyboard, install the bundled drivers first.
• If no keyboard works in a given port, the computer port may be faulty — use a PS/2-to-USB converter, or in a persistent case consider the motherboard.
• While the keyboard is out of action, use the On-Screen Keyboard (Start → All Programs → Accessories → Accessibility) with the mouse to keep working.

Cleaning and Lubricating the Keys

Individual keys that need a hard press, or stop responding, are often caused by spills, dust settling under the keys, heavy gaming use, or lack of lubrication — all fixable with a periodic clean:

• Carefully pry each key loose with a small screwdriver and remove the rubber piece beneath it, keeping keys and rubber pieces in separate containers.
• Clean the keyboard interior with a cotton swab lightly dampened with water (never soaked, as excess water damages the keyboard), paying attention to the spaces between keys.
• Clean each key with foam rubber and light fluid to remove sticky residue; apply a household cleaner, leave for about 10 minutes, wash in warm water and let dry completely. Rinse the rubber pieces the same way and dry them with a paper napkin.
• Apply a light coat of mild lubricant to the keys and to the keyboard, and let it dry — a light coat is enough.
• Reassemble: place the rubber pieces back first, then fix each key and press it firmly. The whole process takes a couple of hours, and doing it once a year prevents most keyboard problems. A plastic cover, and never eating or drinking while typing, help keep dust and spills out in the first place.

Software Quirks: Wrong Characters or Numbers

If the keyboard types the wrong characters, it is usually a software issue caused by accidentally enabling a function. Go to Control Panel, select "Switch Between Input Languages," click "Change Key Sequence," ensure all check boxes are unchecked (including under "Switch to... Keyboard Type"), then click Ok → Ok → Apply → Ok. If the keyboard types numbers instead of letters, a digital (Num) lock has likely been activated — press Fn + Num Lock (or Fn + Shift + Num Lock) to release it.

Most of these fixes are simple, but if you are not comfortable opening the laptop or performing these operations yourself, take it to a company-registered service center. And remember: if a keyboard is old and failing often, a new one costs only a few dollars — sometimes replacement, not repair, is the sensible choice.