How to Replace Keys on a Keyboard

If you’ve tried reassembling the key that fell out of your keyboard several times without success, don’t give up hope. What you need is patience and focus. This wikiHow teaches you how to reassemble any key on a laptop or desktop keyboard.

Table of Contents

Laptop keyboard and thin mechanical keyboard

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/4/4a/Reattach-a-Keyboard-Key-Step-1.jpg/v4-460px-Reattach-a-Keyboard-Key- Step-1.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/4/4a/Reattach-a-Keyboard-Key-Step-1.jpg/v4-728px-Reattach- a-Keyboard-Key-Step-1.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Observe for damage below the dropped key. Flip the dropped key over to check if the key bone is still there. The key bone is a small piece of plastic underneath that plays the role of attaching the plastic button to the key frame. Compare this key with the frame you intend to attach to see if the key bone is enough. If not, you will need to get the bone of another key to replace. ^{[1] X Research Source}

You can order each key replacement part online.
Laptop keyboards are very diverse, so the replacement steps for each type will be slightly different. If your laptop key is different from this guide, visit https://laptopkey.com to find a video for the current computer model. Use the search bar at the top to find your laptop model, scroll to the bottom of the page for the specific model, and click View Videos to watch a video of a technician repairing the keyboard.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/4/48/Reattach-a-Keyboard-Key-Step-2.jpg/v4-460px-Reattach-a-Keyboard-Key- Step-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/4/48/Reattach-a-Keyboard-Key-Step-2.jpg/v4-728px-Reattach- a-Keyboard-Key-Step-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Check the keyboard to make sure the keyframe is intact. To reassemble the key effectively, the key frame must have enough parts such as a central rubber knob, a small plastic or metal hook to bond to the key. ^{[2] X Research Source}

The middle rubber knob is where you will attach the key.
The metal hook will match the bone underneath the key. If the hooks are metal and bent so much that you cannot attach the retainers on the keybone, you can use pointed pliers and gently pry them back into place. Don’t forget to disconnect your laptop or keyboard from the power source before proceeding.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/3/32/Reattach-a-Keyboard-Key-Step-3.jpg/v4-460px-Reattach-a-Keyboard-Key- Step-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/3/32/Reattach-a-Keyboard-Key-Step-3.jpg/v4-728px-Reattach- a-Keyboard-Key-Step-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Replace key bone (if any). The key bone is a separate part (with 2 separate pieces interlocking) that is usually transparent or opaque white. This part can be attached to the base frame or plastic button.

First, if the key bone has 2 pieces, you need to nest the small piece inside the large piece by aligning the hooks. The inner piece should snap into place easily once properly aligned.
Place the key bones after interlocking on the base frame on the keyboard. Align the skeleton with the base frame, and then press down. You will hear a “click” indicating that the key bone has matched the frame.
If you have trouble fitting the key bone to the keyboard, you can remove the knob located in the center of the base frame. ^{[3] X Source of Study} Lift the rubber knob off the base frame, attach it to the key bone, and then insert the key bone into the center of the plastic button until it snaps.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/f/f6/Reattach-a-Keyboard-Key-Step-4.jpg/v4-460px-Reattach-a-Keyboard-Key- Step-4.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/f/f6/Reattach-a-Keyboard-Key-Step-4.jpg/v4-728px-Reattach- a-Keyboard-Key-Step-4.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Insert one side of the key clip into the front position. If the keyframe uses a metal hook, thread the hook into the skeleton and then slide the side of the key into the front frame.

For the plastic hook, you need to slide the key into the frame so that one side of the skeleton matches the hook on the front base frame.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/7/79/Reattach-a-Keyboard-Key-Step-5.jpg/v4-460px-Reattach-a-Keyboard-Key- Step-5.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/7/79/Reattach-a-Keyboard-Key-Step-5.jpg/v4-728px-Reattach- a-Keyboard-Key-Step-5.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Press the other side into place. After attaching one side of the key to the clasp, gently press down on the other side of the key. The plastic button will snap into place after the “click”.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/b/bd/Reattach-a-Keyboard-Key-Step-6.jpg/v4-460px-Reattach-a-Keyboard-Key- Step-6.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/b/bd/Reattach-a-Keyboard-Key-Step-6.jpg/v4-728px-Reattach- a-Keyboard-Key-Step-6.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Press down a few times to make sure the key is fixed. Check by pressing the key a few times that the plastic button is firmly seated. The key will pop up every time it is pressed down.

If the keys still don’t match, you need to bring the device to a shop for repair. For a Mac, you can take it to the Apple Store.

Desktop mechanical keyboard

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/5/58/Reattach-a-Keyboard-Key-Step-7.jpg/v4-460px-Reattach-a-Keyboard-Key- Step-7.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/5/58/Reattach-a-Keyboard-Key-Step-7.jpg/v4-728px-Reattach- a-Keyboard-Key-Step-7.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Look under the key to make sure the key bone is intact. For mechanical keyboards often used to play PC games, it is relatively simple to reassemble the dropped key. Start by flipping the key over to see if the key bone is damaged.

If the key is damaged, you will need to remove the replacement key from another old keyboard, or buy it at retail stores online.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/b/b4/Reattach-a-Keyboard-Key-Step-8.jpg/v4-460px-Reattach-a-Keyboard-Key- Step-8.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/b/b4/Reattach-a-Keyboard-Key-Step-8.jpg/v4-728px-Reattach- a-Keyboard-Key-Step-8.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Check to make sure the key switch is intact. Observe the square frame where the button is mounted on the keyboard. Right in the middle of the base frame will be a small switch linked to the button. This is the feedback part that helps the key return to its original position after being tapped. This switch must be in place and undamaged.

Each key has its own switch. As you type, the switch will register that the character is being pressed.
If this switch is broken or lost, the repair will be even more complicated. If the keyboard is easy to disassemble, you can simply remove this part and replace it with a similar new switch. Usually you need to remove the old switch from the base and solder the new switch in, which is quite simple if you know how to solder. If you’re not sure about this, you’re better off taking your keyboard to a computer repair shop or buying a new keyboard.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/6/61/Reattach-a-Keyboard-Key-Step-9.jpg/v4-460px-Reattach-a-Keyboard-Key- Step-9.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/6/61/Reattach-a-Keyboard-Key-Step-9.jpg/v4-728px-Reattach- a-Keyboard-Key-Step-9.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Align the key with the frame and switch. Place the button just above the switch. Press down slowly and watch from the side to see if the button fits into the keyframe (you can use your phone’s flash to help). The button should align with the switch and fit snugly into the keyframe. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/b/be/Reattach-a-Keyboard-Key-Step-10.jpg/v4-460px-Reattach-a-Keyboard-Key- Step-10.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/b/be/Reattach-a-Keyboard-Key-Step-10.jpg/v4-728px-Reattach- a-Keyboard-Key-Step-10.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Press down on the switch until you hear a “click”. Gently press the button down the keyframe. Do not press too hard as you may damage the key switch. When the key pops into place, you will hear a “click”.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/8/88/Reattach-a-Keyboard-Key-Step-11.jpg/v4-460px-Reattach-a-Keyboard-Key- Step-11.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/8/88/Reattach-a-Keyboard-Key-Step-11.jpg/v4-728px-Reattach- a-Keyboard-Key-Step-11.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Try pressing the key a few times to make sure it’s working properly. The keys will bounce without a hitch, while providing the same feel and movement as the surrounding keys.

If the key travel is obstructed, remove and re-align. It is possible that the button or switch is damaged. If the key still can’t work properly after a few tries, you can consider replacing the keyboard with a new one.

Steps

Laptop keyboard and thin mechanical keyboard

Desktop mechanical keyboard

Related Posts