How To Replace The Keyboard On A Laptop
Laptop keyboards wear out over time. You can tell when one is going bad when you hit a key, like the letter "A," and sometimes an A appears on the screen and sometimes it doesn't. Pretty soon, you'll start to get this type of response when you hit other keys. These are signs that it's time to get a new keyboard to install on your laptop. Here is how you can install the new keyboard.
Note: These are general instructions, as laptop directions vary among manufacturers and models – you should obtain a copy of the service manual to know what you'll have to do for your specific model.
You Will Need:
- New Keyboard
- Small Flathead Screwdriver or Putty Knife
- Small Philips Head Screwdriver
Purchase New Keyboard
You'll need to purchase a new keyboard specifically designed for your laptop. You'll need the make and model number of your laptop to order a replacement keyboard. The information you need you can find on a label attached to the underside of the laptop (or you can call the manufacturer and ask if you can't read the label anymore).
Removing Old Keyboard
The first thing you should do is flip the laptop over so you can remove the battery to gain access to the screws holding the plastic cover above the keyboard in place.
Flip the laptop back over and take a putty knife or a small flat head screwdriver to pry the plastic cover above the keyboard loose – be gentle, as you don't want to break the plastic cover. Set the plastic cover aside.
The keyboard is attached to the laptop by a couple of screws at the top of the keyboard. Remove these screws.
Lift up the keyboard from the top end where you just removed the screws – again, be gentle – and slide the bottom part of the keyboard out of the grooves in the laptop.
The keyboard is connected to the motherboard by a ribbon cable that slides into a slot underneath where the keyboard goes. Flip the plastic flap up that covers the slot to detach the keyboard cable from the motherboard.
Install New Keyboard
Insert the new keyboard ribbon cable into the motherboard slot and snap the flap back down into position. Slide the bottom of the keyboard into the grooves on the laptop and screw the top of the keyboard back into place. Replace the cover at the top of the keyboard. Flip the laptop over and replace the screws that hold the cover in place. Replace the battery. Turn the laptop back over, plug it in, and turn it on. You are now ready to start typing again.
If you don't feel comfortable performing this repair on your own, contact a computer repair company.
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