Changing laptop keyboard
Guide for Changing Keyboard in Laptop
Laptops have become an important part of our lives. The keyboard is one of the important components in any laptop. Keyboards can malfunction due to many reasons such as water, coffee or beverage spills that can hamper the proper functioning of the keyboard.
Laptop keyboard replacement is one of the most common repair jobs performed on laptops. However, laptops available on the market are not standardized. So the different parts of laptops differ from each other. Finding a laptop’s compatible part is a difficult task, though not impossible. If you ever feel the need to change the keyboard in your laptop, the first thing you should look for is a compatible keyboard.
The instructions given below will guide you to remove and replace keyboards on various types of laptops. The given steps are applicable for almost all laptops from different manufacturers.
Follow the safety instructions before you attempt to replace the keyboard by yourself.
1) Don’t try any remedial measures if your laptop is covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.
2) Unplug the AC adapter before you open the outer case
3) Remove the battery before attempting any repair work
4) The components of laptops are fragile and need to be handled carefully
5) Damage to the keyboard connector on the motherboard will incur you significant costs as it will require you to replace the entire motherboard
Things needed to carry out the repair:
• A replacement keyboard suitable for your laptop
• A small Philips head screwdriver
• A T-8 star shaped screwdriver
• A static wrist strap
• Some non-conductive and small pointy items such as toothpicks or plastic picks
Steps to Remove the Damaged Keyboard:
1. Unplug the power supply from the laptop and remove the battery
2. Turn over the laptop to find the screws that attach the keyboard to the case.
3. Remove the screws gently with T-8 or Philips Screwdriver
4. Gently lift the keyboard from the laptop case
5. The keyboard connector is very important and needs to be taken with special care. Carefully detach the keyboard connector from the motherboard with light hands (without applying any force). The keyboard connector can be located on the frontal edge of the keyboard. The keyboard connector can only be viewed after removing the keyboard bezel attached to the laptop case.
6. Once you remove the screws and lift the keyboard bezel, you can spot a flat ribbon cable connecting motherboard and keyboard.
7. You need to unlock the connector before you can remove the flat connecting cable
8. After the keyboard connector is removed, the keyboard is set free. Separate it from the laptop and put it aside.
9. Take out the new keyboard and place it on the laptop. Attach the keyboard connector to the motherboard and secure it in place by locking the connector.
10. Fasten the screws and close the laptop case.
11. Insert battery, plug in the power supply, and boot the laptop.
12. Once you are logged in, check if the new keyboard works properly by pressing each key on the board.
If everything is working fine, it means you have been successful in replacing the keyboard all by yourself. You should always handle the components of a laptop carefully as they are delicate in nature. Do not apply any force on the components while you fit them in place.
Tags: change, changing, keyboard, laptop, replace, replacement