One or more keys fell off the laptop keyboard and you are not sure how to put them back? Don’t worry, most likely you can fix the keyboard and it’s not necessary to buy a new one. There is no universal repair guide because all keyboards are different. Here’s what I usually do in this case.
Situation 1. The key cap and key retainer fell off the keyboard and you cannot figure out how to assemble them back.

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Carefully remove the cap from any other working key so the key retainer stays connected to the keyboard.

Take a closer look at the key retainer, it’s connected to the keyboard at four different points.
Assemble the disconnected retainer the same way as one on the keyboard and put it back in place.
Put the key cap on the retainer and snap the cap back in place.
Situation 2. The key fell off the keyboard and you lost the cap or the retainer. In this case you can purchase a single key here, just search for it. (Search examples: “Dell keyboard key”, “Toshiba keyboard key”, “HP keyboard key”, etc… )
After you found a new key, put it back in place the same way as I described in the situation 1.
Installing the space bar key.
The space bar key is connected to the keyboard a little bit differently then any other key.

There is a metal retainer connected to the space bar key (on some keyboard models). Separate the retainer from the space bar key with a flathead screwdriver.

Install the retainer back in place as it shown on the picture. You have to engage the retainer with the small hooks on the keyboard.

Put the space bar key back in place and gently press on it with fingers until it snaps back in place.

That’s it. The space bar key is installed back in place and should work as before. If you still cannot fix your keyboard, then you’ll have to find a new one and replace it.
Here’s another technique you can use to fix a broken keyboard key.
As you see on the picture below the keyboard is missing the U key. The key cap, retainer and even silicone membrane were lost. Let’s see if it’s possible to temporarily fix the U key without buying any spare parts.
Personally, I cannot use keyboard without U key but I can live without a key located on the side from the right ALT, I’m not even sure what this key does. In the following guide I will remove the useless key and install it in the place of missing U.

Carefully remove the key cap with your fingers.

Remove the retainer. The retainer has two pieces connected to each other. If one piece got disconnected from the other, connect them back together.

The silicon membrane is glued to the keyboard. Very very slowly separate the membrane from the keyboard with a sharp knife. While creating this disassembly guide I damaged one membrane because I wasn’t careful enough.
Again, you have to be very careful removing the membrane.
If you damage the membrane you’ll end up with two broken keys instead of just one.

The silicon membrane has been removed.

Now apply some superglue on the bottom edge of the membrane, just enough to keep the membrane in the place.

Carefully place the membrane in the center of the U. Make sure the membrane is positioned correctly. Wait until the glue cures.

Install the retainer.

Position the key cap above the retainer. Gently press on the key cap until it clips in and connects to the retainer.

Now you can use the U key again.

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September 25th, 2007 at 9:37 am
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!! I was able to get my Enter key reattached! The well written instructions and the pictures helped a lot!
September 25th, 2007 at 5:55 am
My laptop has 3 letters on a key but pressing the key display a letter and there is no how i can shift within these keys,even with shift,caplocks key.
September 25th, 2007 at 2:38 am
Thanks a million!!
The first time a key came off I ended up breaking the little clips and had to replace the keyboard – this time I found your site and after just a couple of minutes the problem was fixed!!
Thanks so much.
September 25th, 2007 at 1:03 am
SweeTT!! I’ve had my laptop for like, 2 or 3 years, then I start playing this game, and i get 4 broken buttons
I kept on playing after the first 2 popped buttons, but after the 3rd and fourth, I couldn’t ignore it. I searched and found your website, and I fixed them EZ
Thanks soo much, and peace
You people rock
September 24th, 2007 at 11:11 am
Thanks much! Replaced a “J” key with the nice photos and assistance. Great laptop keyboard repair instructions!
September 23rd, 2007 at 9:27 pm
OMG Thank you!!! My “O” key completely fell off… brackets and all. Thanks to your instructions and photo demonstrations, I was able to repair my keyboard back to new using just a pair or tweezers. Thanks so much. Hail to you and the internet!!!
September 21st, 2007 at 3:56 pm
my shift key fell of my keyboard and i cant seem to get it back in tact. Can you please help me by doing the same diagram type thing but with a shift key(left side) . Please help me!!!!!
September 16th, 2007 at 6:52 pm
My 18-month-old took off the space bar on my almost new Dell Inspiron, and it wasn’t working properly after my husband (a computer engineer) did “the best he could” to put it back on. I had to almost pound on it to make it work. I found your instructions, took apart the space key the way you said, snapped it back in place, and now it’s working perfectly. Thanks! And I’m going to show my husband the proper way to put the space bar back on.
September 16th, 2007 at 7:11 am
My space bar fell off and thanks to you as long as I hit the key inthe middle it’s okay
September 14th, 2007 at 10:55 am
The key that fell off of my board is the enter key (dell laptop) and the metal bar thing is shaped a bit differently from the spacebar. Maybe I can get a little help with that? In the meantime I will try and mimic the spacebar solution. =3