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.
Missing a key? Find a new one at LaptopKey.com
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.
Troubleshooting. Why the key will not clip on.
Turn the key upside down and take a closer look at the locking clips. It’s possible that one of the clips is damaged and because of that the key will not clip on the retainer. If that’s the case, you’ll have to purchase a new key.
On the next picture you can see that one of the clips is missing, it’s broken. This key will not stay connected to the retainer either. If that’s the case, you’ll have to purchase a new key.
It’s possible that the key is fine, but the retainer itself is broken. On the next picture you can see that one of the tips is missing on the retainer. The left tip is OK, but the right one is missing. If that’s the case, you’ll have to purchase a new retainer.
Here’s one more picture. In this case two parts of the retainer will not stay connected to each other. It happens because one of the tips is broken. The left tip is OK, but the right one is missing. If that’s the case, you’ll have to purchase a new retainer.
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December 22nd, 2007 at 8:10 am
just wanted to tell you thanks. my son dropped the laptop and i had no clue how the enter key went back on,but with your website i was able to fix it in about 3 minutes thanks and i will be referring my friend with problems to your site.
December 21st, 2007 at 11:36 am
umm thanks it didn’t help very much though..my c button
came off and i have NO clue what to do. please help me.
your pictures didn’t help very much because my key retainer is a bit different. If you could give me more descriptive help
I would appreciate it.
December 19th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
I just wanted to tell you Thank You. I dropped something on my laptop keyboard and the letter J popped off with the retainer still connected to the key cap. I pryed it off and got it back on the laptop and I was able to pop the key cap back on. I thought I was going to have to take it tto the repair shop.
December 18th, 2007 at 2:08 pm
The O key came off my Compaq notebook (wonder if there’s a problem with “o” – see Kate post #143). Anyway, your site and clear pics showed me what was going on. My hinge and key were all together and rather than take another key off (too scary!!) I figured out the hinge attachment points and just located them and pressed. Voila!
So, although I didn’t follow the plan (and I still don’t see quite on my Compaq if and how the key comes apart from the hinge), your site was a life saver. Thanks!!
December 15th, 2007 at 9:58 pm
tip – when i tried these steps, the retainer clips (and therefore the key as well) remained stuck in the lower, or “pressed key” state. so after installing the retaining clips, make sure they move freely before pressing the key cap back in.
my clips were sticking at the top connect point, where the plastic bar slides under the metal bar. a little poking with a unfolded paper clip, and i got it to move freely – and the key works perfectly now.
December 15th, 2007 at 11:03 am
thank you very much… It is a much easier way comparing it with the way the “expert” in my neighborhood repaired the lap top.
December 12th, 2007 at 10:49 am
thanks you just saved me a £50 repair bill
darren
December 11th, 2007 at 9:42 pm
thank you so much you saved my life it took me a while to figure it out but without your site i would not have my “o”. Every other sight either told me to glue it or pay a pro to do it. Thank you so much for your logical solution!!
December 11th, 2007 at 8:27 pm
Our Foster Kitty (with Mega Claws) tore off 6 of my keys!! Thought I’d have to buy a new computer until I googled…Laptop Keys fell OFF – Here I am, and God BLESS you for such GREAT instructions!
YEaaaaaaaaaa you all are the BEST
Debbie
December 5th, 2007 at 9:30 pm
My baby knocked out the space bar key today. The last time my wife managed to put it back – took her 30 mins. With your clear instructions, it was working within 5 mins. Thanks a million!