Fix a Jammed Keyboard Key

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Just as you're typing the last words of your quarterly report, one of your keyboard keys starts sticking. Luckily, you have a few simple options available to clean out your keyboard. Sticky keys can happen because of dirt and debris in the keyboard, but they can also be a result of spilled drinks or other stickiness. The solutions below address both of these problems.

Steps

Shaking Out the Keyboard

  1. Unplug the keyboard. If you have a laptop, turn it off.
  2. Turn the keyboard upside-down. You can also hold it at an angle, as long as part of the keyboard is pointing towards the floor.[1]
  3. Gently shake the keyboard. Let the crumbs shake out to the floor or table.[2]
  4. Brush away any extra crumbs. If there's trash on the keyboard, brush it away.
  5. Check the keys again. See if they are working.

Blowing Out the Keyboard

  1. Buy a can of compressed air. You can find it at almost any place that sells electronics.
  2. Turn the computer off. If you have a desktop, unplug the keyboard from the computer.
  3. Use the air to gently blow around and under the keys. Don't tilt the can, as it can pour out liquid.[3]
  4. Brush away any debris. If dirt or food is blown out, brush it away from the keyboard.
  5. Try the keys again. See if the keys are unstuck.

Cleaning Sticky Keys

  1. Wipe up any spills as they happen. If you spill a drink on your keyboard, unplug it and wipe it down.
  2. Clean the keys with alcohol if the drink dries. Make sure the keyboard is unplugged first, or your laptop is powered down. If the spill is mostly on top of the keys, use a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol to clean the keys.[4]
  3. Rub the tops of the keys. Make sure they are free from stickiness.[5]
  4. Use the cotton swab to go around the edges. Going around the edges should help with sticky keys, as it releases the bottom part of the key from the keyboard.[6]
  5. Check to see if your keys are unstuck. Once the alcohol is dry, check your keys to see if they are better.

Removing Keys to Clean the Keypad

  1. Gently pry up the jammed key. Use a screwdriver or other flat instrument to get under the key, and pull up slightly on one of the edges. You can also use your nail.
    • If you are working on a laptop (whether PC or Mac), the key is held in place by a flimsy plastic clip, which also serves as the spring. The keys are attached in slightly different ways on each type of keyboard, so removing them will be different on each type.[7] If you're unsure if or how your laptop keys come off, consult your manual.[8]
    • Das keyboards (called by their company the best mechanical keyboards on the market) should not be fixed by prying at the keys. They provide a special clip that will pop individual keys off of the keyboard.[9]
    • Don't remove all the keys at once, as you may have trouble remembering where they all go. Don't do more than a couple at one time.
  2. Carefully wipe the inside of the button and the slot from which it was removed. Clear out any obstructions or crumbs that are jamming the key or the hinges underneath. You can use tweezers or toothpicks to help.[10]
  3. Use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to clean off any sticky areas. Be sure not to have so much alcohol on the swab that it drips.[11]
  4. Let the key and keyboard fully dry. You don't want to leave any liquid underneath the keys, even rubbing alcohol.
  5. Insert the keys back into their original places. Gently press the key down. It should snap back into place.[12]
    • If using a laptop, insert the clip into the position it originally held before you place the key back into its spot.
  6. Check your keys. They should be unstuck now. If not, you may need to take it into someone who repairs computers.

Warnings

  • Make sure the keyboard is unplugged, so you don't short it out.
  • If the computer is new and still under warranty, do not remove the key without first contacting the manufacturer.

Things You'll Need

  • Compressed air
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Cotton swabs
  • Tweezers or a toothpick
  • Regular screwdriver (small)

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2424402,00.asp
  2. ↑ http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2424402,00.asp
  3. ↑ http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch001337.htm
  4. ↑ http://www.pcworld.com/article/249212/how_to_clean_your_keyboard.html
  5. ↑ http://www.pcworld.com/article/249212/how_to_clean_your_keyboard.html
  6. ↑ http://www.pcworld.com/article/249212/how_to_clean_your_keyboard.html
  7. ↑ http://www.fonerbooks.com/laptop15.htm
  8. ↑ http://www.pcworld.com/article/249212/how_to_clean_your_keyboard.html
  9. ↑ http://www.daskeyboard.com/blog/replacing-the-keys-on-your-mechanical-keyboard/
  10. ↑ http://www.insidemylaptop.com/something-stuck-under-laptop-keyboard-key/
  11. ↑ http://www.pcworld.com/article/249212/how_to_clean_your_keyboard.html
  12. ↑ http://www.insidemylaptop.com/something-stuck-under-laptop-keyboard-key/
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