Sometimes a key on a laptop keyboard can get loose or even fall off the keyboard entirely. Try each of the solutions below to see if they help to fix the key and snap it back into place on the keyboard.
Fixing a loose keycap
In contrast to a desktop keyboard, each key on a laptop keyboard may be composed of three parts: the keycap, the key pad, and the key retainer, as illustrated in the illustration.
If the keycap is loose but still linked to the laptop, pressing down on the keycap will often secure the keycap back in place. Upon pressing the key down, a snap can be heard if the keycap has been reattached. If this does not resolve the problem, we recommend detaching the key so that it can be re-attached. The procedure for re-attachment is described in greater detail below.
Note: It is necessary to replace a physical broken or missing key or keycap, keypad, button, or retainer; for more information, see: Where can I locate a replacement for a keyboard key?
Fixing a broken keycap
You can use the steps listed below to help you set your keys back into their proper places on your laptop. In the event that you’re attempting to repair the spacebar, proceed to the spacebar instructions.
1. To begin, install the key retainer into the laptop’s keyboard first. It is recommended that you insert a key pad once the retainer has been secured in place to make things easy later on. As soon as the retainer is put, it should lie flat and be able to flex in any direction (shown in the image below).
Tip: If you’re not sure which way the laptop key retainer should be pointing, look at the orientation of the metal hooks on the bottom of the keyboard for guidance. Due to the fact that the key retainer should be aligned with these metal hooks, they are useful in determining the orientation of the key retainer that has been inserted into them.
Spacebar key steps
2. Insert the keypad into the retainer by pressing it down.
3. Once the previous two procedures have been accomplished, put the key cap over the retainer in the right orientation and lightly press down on the key cap. The key should be able to snap onto the retainer with ease. If the key does not appear to be properly assembled, try pressing down on all four corners of the key to ensure that all clips are securely fastened. Once the key has been snapped into place, test it to see whether it works again.
The spacebar, in contrast to the other keys on the keyboard, necessitates the completion of additional actions in order to function properly. Using the image below, you can see the spacebar has been removed from a laptop. Before reinstalling the spacebar keycap on the laptop, you must first remove a bar (seen below) by putting your flathead screwdriver beneath it and gently lifting upward from the bottom of the laptop.
Once this bar has been removed, the new spacebar should be placed on the laptop. Make certain that it is properly positioned over the retainers before pressing down to secure it in place.
Key still doesn’t work after fixing or replacing
If the key does not function after reinstalling it or after changing the keycap, key pad, or key retainer, it is possible that the keyboard’s circuit board is not functioning properly. Should an issue with the circuit board arise, you will need to replace the complete keyboard, which includes the circuit board, in order to resolve the problem.
If you want to replace the entire keyboard, you should contact the laptop manufacturer to see if you can get one from them directly. It is recommended that you take your laptop to a computer repair shop if the manufacturer does not sell a replacement keyboard to you.
Important: Under no circumstances should you use glue to repair your keys unless absolutely necessary. As a result, the key becomes unresponsive.