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.
If your keyboard is missing a key, it’s not necessary to replace the whole keyboard. You can fix it using this guide: how to fix keys on a laptop keyboard.
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.
UPDATE. What can you do if the keyboard connector was damaged?
If you are looking for laptop disassembly instructions, check out laptop service manuals.
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August 26th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
Raj,
Check out http://www.Irisvista.com
You’ll find more examples for Toshiba laptops.
August 25th, 2009 at 11:41 am
Need to replace the keyboard on my Toshiba satellite ,will give it a try and see if it works.
August 16th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
awesome.. thanks, had trouble figuring out the locks too. but eventually got them to lift. thanks you thank you!!
May 28th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Thanks for the description re the Toshiba keyboard. It helped much.
Just want to note that the pictures showing the keyboard connector ribbon locks could be larger. It’s next to impossible to see, which is a problem cause they are so damn small in real life.
To those trying to figure them out, there are 2 tabs, at the corners of where the ribbon connector plugs in. They slide up (towards the monitor, parallel to the surface you are working on) (NOT up toward you looking down at the computer from above).
Thanks for the help.
March 5th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Thank you so much! You saved me a ton of money after I spilt water all over the keyboard of my toshiba A135. I ordered the replacement off Ebay for $18.25 including shipping. And your excellent instructions allowed me to so easily replace this myself. Awesome!!!!
February 10th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
hey there i seen that u helped a lot of things so far so i ask u of this.. i have a toshiba A100 laptop and well theres the 7, u, j, n the up button dont work i have removed the keyboard like said above but still nothing but an external keyboard does work perfectly but as im selling it i need to fix it… so if i bought a new one n it didnt work what would i be looking at then for what to do wise?
thanks a lot!!!!!
February 2nd, 2009 at 10:34 pm
Gil,
I guess you can try spraying the connector with a contact cleaner, something like ProGOLD contact conditioner.
January 31st, 2009 at 6:47 am
After a spill necessitated replacing the keyboard on SatellieA135, about 1/2the keys, mainly on the left side of the keyboard, don’t work. I 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. There seems to be white mineralization on some pins in the connector. How can I clean it off so the cable fits properly and makes contact with all the pis?
January 8th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
While removing the ribbon cable I broke the black piece which holds the ribbon cable, where can I find one?
Thanks
January 2nd, 2009 at 12:03 am
I have a Sony Vaio VGN-FS940. Could you please send me instructions on how to remove the keyboard?. Thanks.