Win 10 keyboard, some physical keys not working

Hi guys

My win button stop working on my laptop. I thought it is the only key. On checking, number keys 1 - 4 also not working, This page numbers are typed from the On Screen keyboard.

Any beautiful idea on how to fix this. I reboot still the same.

 

Did any liquid spill on it?

With the computer shut down, try turning the notebook upside down and gently tapping the side to [hopefully] dislodge any cookie crumbs from under the keys.

You might also connect an external keyboard to a USB port and see if those keys work there. If they work fine, it is your keyboard. It may need a thorough cleaning or replaced.

 

Thanks Bill, will do vacuum sucking & hope for the best

PS i tried but as i expect no solution as the non working keys are not random, 1234 7890 (both case), win-key & end-key.

I think the scan codes of these keys did not get to the processor. If i use a usb keyboard or OSK it works.

Still think how to get a fix besides a work around or change key board (latter may not be the solution too.

 

Actually, I would never expect them to be random. That would suggest something else, perhaps malicious, and not a keyboard issue.

Then that suggests some failure with the notebook's keyboard itself. It could be something as simple as the internal keyboard cable connection has come loose but I suspect you need a new keyboard.

If you feel handy, there are many tutorials on line for swapping notebook keyboards. Of course, if you do itself, you assume all liability for collateral damage so having a shop do it is often the better option. Call around. Many do it for a flat fee, plus parts.

 

Bill Thank you for more info. Based on your lead, i google for how to access my Dell D530 and manage to extract the keyboard from the top quite easily.

On examination of the Kbd, the cables seems fine, no visible crack in all the cables.

Would you know how the key press work, i would like to understand how the few keys failed, physical examination seems to indicate everything fine, friend what is your view?

 

Different design keys work in different ways but generally they are just switches and when you press a key, you press two electrical contacts, often pads, together completing the circuit. Then there is typically a return tension device, a coil or leaf spring to push the key back up.

These switches and contacts can wear out over time, and/or the contacts become dirty just from contaminates floating in the air (cigarette smoke, kitchen oils, pet dander, dust, etc.), or from debris (cookie and potato chip crumbs, hair, dead skin, etc.) falling into the keyboard.

There are only 4 main wires in a USB cable, 2 for 5V power and 2 for data. But most keyboards have at least 80 keys with some up to 125 (like mine for my PC) and probably some with more. Then of course, there is the Shift key to double the functions and the Ctrl and Alt keys to triple and quadruple those functions. Add in the Windows key, Fn key, NumLock and you get the idea.

Obviously, you cannot have hundreds of pairs of wires going from the keyboard to the computer. So computer keyboards are "intelligent" devices. Those keys are actually mounted on a circuit board. Pressing a key, closes a switch on the circuit board and the intelligent component sense that key (or combination of keys) to determine what symbol (or task) to send to the computer. Groups of keys serve different purposes and are controlled through separate coding in the internal programming. That might explain why your number keys are affected.

Some folks claim you can wash those keyboards in a dishwasher. I don't think that is a good idea. For one, dishwasher detergent is very harsh designed to "eat" off baked-on foods. For another, even if you disable the heat dry cycle, the heating element is still used to increase the heat of the wash water. I would not trust all the materials can handle that heat. And finally, there are 100s (1000s?) of little nooks and crannies water (perhaps dirty water) can get trapped in. Even with a properly equipped air compressor, it would be very difficult to ensure every last bit of moisture is expelled from every one of those nooks and crannies.So you would also have to let the keyboard air dry (perhaps under a fan) for at least a couple days before applying power. BUT, even that risks leaving mineral deposits behind as the water evaporate.

So if me, I think rinsing under warm water from the kitchen faucet would be better but frankly, I don't even like that idea. That's still introducing water in electronics.

A better approach would be to use electrical contact cleaner. But of course, no cleaning will help if the problem is the mechanical components of the switch or keyboard are worn or broken, and not just dirty electrical contacts.

 

Bill much appreciate the effort to teach. Thank you.

As i have read there is a matrix of things under each key so i think the chance of cleaning to repair is not going to be my option.

Since the no. of keys involved is small, i can still live with the OSK whenever i want to type those keys.

Just wondering if i can dock the OSK or resize it, i can't seem to get an good answer from googling.

 

I don't understand your problem with the OSK. Did you click the Dock key on the OSK? And I am able to drag the top, bottom and sides to resize it.

 

Bill what i mean is how to the dock, as the dock key is faded; clicking on it nothing happens. Thanks again for the follow through.

I just learnt that the OSK can be shrink like any windows. I have shrinked it to the smallest and kept at the bottom of my screen for me to type the missing 1-4 and 7-0 keys. The attached images shows my bottom!!

Kind Regards

 

I still don't know where you are on this. No matter how small I make the OSK, I can still see all the keys unless I move the keyboard outside the borders of my screen - as you have in your image.

As for faded, not sure what you mean there either. There is a Fade button but it makes the whole keyboard transparent.

 

Hi FuzMic, if you are using W10 > RIGHT click on Taskbar > click on Show touch keyboard button.
The dockable version of Windows 10 Keyboard will show next to the clock/language on sys tray (right hand corner of screen).
Just click on the keyboard icon for it to show on screen. Close out with the X and it will 'dock' in the sys tray again.
To stop the OSK - you will need to RIGHT click Taskbar and uncheck Show touch keyboard button.
Hope this helps sort out what you want.

You will need to close your OSK BEFORE you try this!

 

Got you right on spot, thank you.
Funny thing the problem keys came back but disappear again.