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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June 25th, 2009 at 10:08 am
Hi,thanks for your very helpful instructions and images. My dog managed to flip the Caps Lock key off of my Dell laptop when my daughter was doing her homework on the floor. Don’t ask, I have no idea!
I was scared of taking another key off incase the same thing happened so I spent many frustrating days trying to figure out the way the retainer sat. Now I have a functioning Caps Lock again.
June 24th, 2009 at 9:08 am
My shift key came off of my laptop (Thinkpad T23) and I cannot get it back in. Is there a website with pictures that can guide me? or can you help me? your advice above was not applicable to me.
Many thanks
June 23rd, 2009 at 9:19 am
I did what you said and now my spacebar is too tight. I dont know how to fix it. What do you suggest?
June 20th, 2009 at 8:11 am
I never knew how much I need and use the U key until it broke and popped out. I was so frustrated trying to think of how I could fix my damaged “U” key (why is it always U) and Thank you, thank you, thank you because you just saved me over $90 I was about to spend on a new keyboard. I used your technique and had a new “U” key replaced in less than 5 minutes. Now I’m just glad I can type without looking at the keyboard otherwise that funny useless key would be very confusing.
Thank you.
June 19th, 2009 at 2:40 am
Thanks so much. My Vaio enter/return key came off, and I spent ages trying to get the little wires in the holes in the keyboard base. I didn’t realise till you explained that I could just remove them from the key, fit them in lace and snap the key back. Brilliant solution.
Ron
June 18th, 2009 at 3:01 am
Hello,
Im facing a problem with Toshiba Laptop Keyboard:i have 2 keys attached only the Q and the W only attached to one key retainer from the 2 top sides but not from the bottom sides..so what should i do to fix it ??
thx a lot in advance
Regards.
June 17th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Thanks, nice diagrams too.
June 17th, 2009 at 7:12 am
Thank you so much. Popped a G key on my acer. I will add that using a dental pick will greatly help get the key retainer clips back into place.
June 16th, 2009 at 11:55 am
Thank you very much for your advice.
3 of my laptop keys came off . I thought that was the end of it. I googled for help and found your solutin. It worked brilliantly.
Thanks again,
Shailaja
June 15th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
one of the key retainer broke when the key cap fell off, do you know whether these retainers can be replaced? do they usually sell them at computer stores, etc.?