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.
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June 3rd, 2009 at 6:55 pm
I saw somebody posted a reply about the black little rubber/silicone things under the keys… but I hadn’t found a reply to it.
My space bar fell off and there is only one black rubber thing under it, and I can’t find the other. Can I order more somewhere? I haven’t been able to find them, and my space bar will not work on my laptop now.
Any information would be greatly appreciated. It’s an HP Pavillion. Thanks!
June 3rd, 2009 at 1:53 pm
I left the door to my office open and the dogs had a field day trying to get to the birds outside. Unfortunately my laptop was in the way – I panicked, found your site, got all but two keys on since I need those white little HP connectors. I’ll order those, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP!!!!!
June 2nd, 2009 at 8:30 pm
Lost my ‘M’. The instructions and ,especially, the photos were clear and succint. The reattachment operation was successful.
It requires several unsuccessful and clutsy attempts. Don’t give up. Thank you, thank you.
June 1st, 2009 at 8:54 pm
Heather Dudley,
Take a closer look at the retainer assembly. Maybe it’s broken?
June 1st, 2009 at 7:43 am
Now, is there some kind of trickto resnapping the key cap? My baby popped the “z” key off (at least she chose the single letter I use the least) and now I can’t get it back on.I see how it works (it’s identical to the one in your pictures, but I just can’t figure out how to make it snap back into place. I’ve positioned it every way I can think of, and I even hear it “click” – but a couple of vigorous taps, and it’s crooked and unattached again. nothing appears to be broken… I think I just suck at this. By the way… thanks for your incredibly timely post!
June 1st, 2009 at 1:26 am
Brilliant, thanks very much. I removed my space bar to clean beneath it and I couldn’t get it to work properly until eventually finding your advice that the metal rod in the spacebar needs to hook under the plastic restraints in the keyboard. Many thanks. David, UK.
May 31st, 2009 at 6:20 pm
i was working with the enter key. i found as i have when keys came off before, that you have to keep gently jiggling it but that it would eventually snap in right. this article helped me remain calm and not make the problem worse. such little pieces of plastic!
thanks for the articles. the pics are excellent
May 31st, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Thanks buddy, I panicked for a moment haha. Was nearly without a ‘G’ and a ‘F’ for a moment
May 30th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
thanks, this helped me form a whole heap of frustration!
May 30th, 2009 at 5:40 am
Thanks for, great help . it worked ..
Thanks Again
Anubhav