Removing and replacing laptop keyboard
These instructions will help you to remove and replace keyboards on various laptops. I will not be able to cover all models but you’ll get the idea. Steps for removing and replacing the keyboard are similar for most laptops.
Warning!
- if your laptop is still covered by the manufacturer’s warranty, do not open the case or you can loose the warranty
- always remove the battery and unplug the AC adapter before you open the laptop case
- if you damage the keyboard connector on the motherboard you’ll have to replace the whole motherboard
- proceed on your own risk
Sony laptop
I took these pictures from a Sony Vaio PCG-K33 (model PCG-9S1L) notebook. Should be similar for some other Sony notebooks too.
Insert a small flathead screwdriver under the keyboard bezel and carefully lift it up. Continue releasing plastic latches and removing the keyboard bezel with your fingers.
Be careful, on some models the bezel might be connected to the motherboard as it shown on the picture above. If you accidentally pulled the cable, connect it back. It is not necessary to disconnect the keyboard bezel from the motherboard in order to remove and replace the keyboard, just put it aside so you can access the keyboard screws.
Remove three (or more) screws from the top of the keyboard. Carefully lift up the keyboard from the laptop case.
The keyboard connects to the motherboard via a flat ribbon cable. Before you pull the cable from the connector, you’ll have to unlock the connector.
The image above illustrates how to unlock the keyboard connector. Carefully move the connector lock 2-3 millimeters up and after that pull the keyboard cable. To install the keyboard, follow the above mentioned steps in the reverse order.
Toshiba laptop
The following pictures were taken from a Toshiba Satellite A135 laptop. The keyboard removal instructions will be almost the same for most modern Toshiba laptops.
The keyboard bezel removal procedure is similar to the above mentioned Sony Vaio laptop. Lift it up with a small screwdriver and remove using fingers. On most Toshiba laptops the keyboard bezel doesn’t have any circuit board underneath, it’s just a piece of plastic and you don’t have to worry about cables.
After the bezel is removed you get an access to the keyboard screws. Remove two (or more) screws. Release the plastic latch pointed with the red arrow and lift up the keyboard. Carefully put the keyboard aside so you can access the connector underneath the keyboard. Do not forget that the keyboard is still connected to the motherboard.
Before you remove the keyboard, you’ll have to open the connector and release the flat ribbon cable.
Here’s a closeup picture of the keyboard connector on the motherboard. Be careful, this type of connector is fragile. On the left image the connector is closed. On the right image the connector is opened. Unlock the connector by moving the lock up as it shown on the right image and after that release the ribbon cable. Remove and replace the keyboard. For assembly instructions follow all the steps in the reverse order.
If you are looking for laptop disassembly instructions, check out laptop service manuals.
Entry Filed under: Laptop Tips and Tricks
September 8th, 2007 at 11:38 am
Hey I just wanted to leave a note to say thanks for your instructions on this site. Had a problem with a laptop after cleaning and you solved it. thanks again
September 11th, 2007 at 2:02 pm
my toshiba L25s121 can not charge the battery. i gotta new battery and a new charger. when i connect to ac power the charging light lits but the icon at the bottom right corner shows battery is charging but is not actually. when i plug off the computer it shuts off due to lack of charge. i upgraded the BIOS but still no result
September 19th, 2007 at 7:16 am
Your Toshiba is suffering from a faulty/Broken connection between the motherboard and the Power input socket which is a common fault on most Toshibas. your only solution is to strip down the unit and resolder the joint between the +pin and the mobo. The problem is that you have to Strip down all the parts to get at it. If you havent done it before allow about 4/5 hours. Nothing to do with charger or battery, just broken connection
September 20th, 2007 at 10:12 am
I have a eMachine(M5309 keyboard). I am trying to replace the keyboard myself and wondering if it would be the similar procedure as you shown here for both Sony and Toshiba.
If you have an instruction for replacing keyboard for eMachine, can you please send me a copy ? Really appreciate your help !!!
September 21st, 2007 at 7:02 pm
I am having problems with my sony vaio pcg k33. I was wondering if I can send u a picture of the lcd when the problem occurs so that you can advice me to what I should do. Many thanks.
September 23rd, 2007 at 10:07 pm
Ken,
You can take a picture of the LCD then upload it somewhere (free image hosting services) and post a link to your image. Check out this post, it covers some video related issues.
October 10th, 2007 at 6:56 pm
I sooooo appreciate your diligent posts. Best Buy declared my computer dead without even looking at it, but I think your instructions saved it! THANKS!
October 21st, 2007 at 9:52 am
I have an HP Pavilion ze5185 and am trying to replace the keyboard. I got the old one out ok, but can’t seem to press the ribbon cable of the new one into the connector far enough for it to engage the pins. I tried reattaching the old keyboard, but can’t press that cable in far enough either. Is there a trick or a tool for doing this? Thanks!
October 21st, 2007 at 10:27 am
LM,
There is no trick. I just checked the service manual for your notebook and didn’t find any special instruction for reconnecting the keyboard cable.
October 30th, 2007 at 11:36 am
Hi LM,
I am facing the exact problem with Toshiba Portege 3500, the keyboard cable just wont engage. Can anyone post a higher resolution picture of the cable connector open and closed like the last picture above. That will be great help.
Thanks
Zaheer
November 20th, 2007 at 10:56 pm
Hi LM !
I was looking for the PCG-K33 ’shutdown’ problem QA thread.
Refering to a similar forum, a solution has been posted proposing change Decoupling Caps around the Proc which allegedly ‘dry up’. I would like to ask some questions about the PS distribution around the board; if OK ? I don’t have a service manual, yet. The problem also seems to have a ‘thermal dissipation’ component ?
Thanks,
–Moti
November 28th, 2007 at 12:30 pm
was looking for a toshiba keyboard replacement instructionsfor a model A55
November 30th, 2007 at 10:22 pm
charles patterson,
Here are instructions for replacing the keyboard on a Toshiba Satellite A55 laptop.
December 13th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
I’m looking for a manual to replace the keyboard in a Toshiba Satellite L35. A few keys came off (typical cheap machine and all) I have a new one coming, and need to know how to tear it down for removal, then replacement.
December 13th, 2007 at 9:04 pm
Hi,
I have an Acer Aspire 5100 laptop and cannot find information on replacing my keyboard. I just purchased a new keyboard and would greatly appreciate it if you have any info that you can share with me. I would really hate to ruin my laptop not knowing what to do. Thanks for any help that you can give me.
Rodney Epker
January 3rd, 2008 at 3:16 am
Regarding my Sony Vaio LCD Problem, here is the link of the picture http://www.flickr.com/photos/22507232@N08/2162327640/
I hope you could help guide me on the problem and probably how to fix it. Many thanks.
January 5th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Ken,
did you test your laptop with an external monitor. External screen is white too?
January 12th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
I need a bit of help replacing a dell Inspiron 2200 Keyboard
January 13th, 2008 at 9:00 am
Gerald,
You can find instructions for replacing the keyboard in this service manual.
January 25th, 2008 at 11:55 pm
If I plug my vaio to an external monitor, it works fine. I guess there is nothing wrong with the video card. Is it possible that the computer is over-heating that is why the lcd is behaving strangely?
January 27th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Ken,
I don’t think so. Even if the laptop overheats, it still should work fine for a while when it’s cold.
It could be either bad motherboard or faulty LCD screen. Unfortunately at this point you’ll have to guess because the only way find out what is wrong is testing the laptop with another working LCD screen.
January 27th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Thanks for the prompt reply. The LCD is actually usable for the first few hours straight then when I restart my computer, the LCD problem arises. I am afraid Il be spending a huge amount to have it repaired which makes me think if its worth it.
April 1st, 2008 at 9:24 pm
I have a Toshiba satellite L35-S2161. It went dead after hybernating. No power lights at all. I toot out the battery and tried it again to no avail. I lost the manual and can’t find anything online.
Does this model needs a working battery to power up? What could be the problem with it?
TIA
April 25th, 2008 at 12:25 am
i need to replace the power button flat cable but can not find a site to repalce it do you have any ino on sites that have the part
thanks
frank
April 25th, 2008 at 12:26 am
sorry forgot to put the model i have the pcg-k33
April 25th, 2008 at 4:01 am
i broke the ZIF connector. not the base but the green little cover that you pull to release the cord. i managed with sm tape to keep it attached there but a line of my keybord is not working (”9″o”l”.”). any suggestions?
April 26th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
Frank,
Search on SparePartsWarehouse, they sell parts for Sony laptops. You can call them too.
April 26th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
andreas,
Unfortunately, if the connector is broken I don’t think you can fix it. You still should be able to use the laptop with an external keyboard.
Please let us know if you find the solution.
May 1st, 2008 at 1:47 pm
I would like to ask, hope you can help me. my laptop keyboard sending a notice STICKY KEY. I cant type smoothly.
thanks
Manne
May 7th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Can anyone guide me to instructions on replacing the key board on a 2005 emachines M5309
June 3rd, 2008 at 11:03 am
I have a keyboard typing an arbitrary key continuously. Only one key for each windows session but not a specific one. Does anyone know what the problem is?
June 4th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Ergun,
Did you test the laptop with an external USB keyboard? Did you test the laptop in Safe mode?
June 7th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Yes, i tried both and many other things.It’s okey with usb one but nothing changes in safe mode. Lastly remove the keyboard and extracted all the keys. There is nothing visible on the sheet board of the keyboard. It was a keyboard of msi-vr330. If anyone knows that keyboard is technically suitable for a msi-m670, please let me know. I’m planning to test it on this laptop.
June 8th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Ergun,
Apparently the laptop keyboard is defective and has to be replaced.
It’s possible that there is nothing wrong with the keyboard itself and you have a problem with the keyboard controller on the motherboard. This kind of failure is not common but possible. The only way to find out what is wrong is testing the laptop with another keyboard.
Just in case. Did you try reinstalling the operating system? You can boot the laptop from Knoppix CD (live Linux) and test the keyboard in there. Knoppix runs directly from the CD bypassing Windows.
If you still experience the same problem even with Knoppix, this is not related to Windows OS. This is hardware related issue.
If the problem is gone when you work in Knoppix, it’s possible that you problem is related to Windows. Try reinstalling Windows in this case.
July 4th, 2008 at 10:00 am
Have a VAIO VGN-FE41Z. N key on keyboard has become unreliable and needs to be pressed hard to act. Have taken off the key and cleaned under it. Still no good, Even when u press directly on the round plastic thing under the key, it still needs to be pressed hard to type the letter n please advise. Your help on this site is wonderful!!
July 4th, 2008 at 10:03 am
Sorry… just to clarify it’s only one key ie the letter N i have problem with
July 21st, 2008 at 1:02 pm
I managed to hurt a couple of keys on my Toshiba Satellite L25-S1216. Any tips/techniques for reattaching keytops?
Thanks.
July 21st, 2008 at 1:06 pm
RoyB,
You’ll find tips for reattaching laptop keys in this post: A key fell off the laptop keyboard. Fixing the problem.
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:07 am
i`ve removed my keyboard and now after i plug it again it doesn`t work, the laptop works fine but i can`t press anything with my keyboard, i got an Acer Aspire 3694 can i get a little help with it pls?
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Alipari,
I guess it’s time to replace the keyboard. I doubt that you can fix this problem.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:08 pm
playmax,
Check the connection between the keyboard cable and the motherboard. Make sure the cable is properly connected, reseat the cable.
July 26th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Hi, I’m trying to reformat my Asus AD2000 - but having trouble because my keyboard is apparently stuffed. Asus Service Centre Melbourne said it was only the keyboard, but now Asus Service Centre Sydney (moved recently) now say its the keyboard controller on the motherboard. But I am using a USB keyboard fine - so shouldn’t the keyboard controller on M/B still be fine?
Anyways, all I want is to be able to reformat at least to lift the game of my tired old laptop - as I have scoured the globe (it feels like) but cannot find a replacement keyboard anywhere and Asus (gee they are helpful! not) say that they don’t or won’t stock the keyboard controller/motherboard - they advise just buy a new laptop. Can you offer any advice for someone in this situation? Cheers, Jana
July 27th, 2008 at 9:10 am
Jana,
I couldn’t find a replacement keyboard either even on eBay. Are you sure AD2000 is the correct model name?
August 22nd, 2008 at 2:33 pm
IT’s always challenging and scary to replace your first laptop keyboard, but once you have gone through the process of doing just that with more than a couple then its may just become a routine.