DIY laptop keyboard cable repair

Over time, the keyboard begins to lose its freshness, it may start typing worse, and sometimes some buttons stop working completely. In these cases, it is necessary to carry out preventive maintenance or a complete replacement of the keyboard.

To do this, it is enough to do some algorithm of actions to remove the keyboard. It depends on which laptop model you have. For example, to remove the keyboard of an Acer Aspire 5920 laptop, you must remove the four latches on the top and two on the sides, after which you can easily pry the keyboard out of the laptop. In this case, one difficulty arises, which most often leads to more severe breakdowns - the disconnection of the loop.

To do everything right, before pulling out the cable, you must carefully move the sealing plate (retainer). Then the cable is carefully removed from the connector.

In this case, two breakdowns may occur, for which it will be necessary to repair the laptop keyboard cable:

• breakage of the retainer or damage to the keyboard connector itself;
• rupture of the laptop keyboard cable.

To solve the loop break problem, you can use several methods:

• re-solder broken contacts
• carefully clean the broken contacts;
• apply a small amount of solder;
• solder broken contacts;
• insulate them with tape or varnish.

• use alternative binding

• clean up the gap;
• put a wire of a suitable size;
• use Kontaktol glue (sold in car stores);
• such a connection will not be flexible.

If you have successfully removed the keyboard, you will need to use special cleaning products to clean it. In order to remove dirt and accumulated dust, a paint brush is best suited; non-removable residues must be blown out with air (it is advisable not to use a vacuum cleaner, since it is powerful enough). To clean the outside of the keyboard, you can use a slightly damp soft cloth (for example, with Fairy or rubbing alcohol), gently wiping over the entire keyboard.

The moisture should be sufficient to clean the surface, but not leave streaks. Then you need to wipe the surface with a dry cloth or cotton wool. After that, the keyboard can be installed back, being careful when connecting the loop. After checking the functionality, the keyboard can be installed permanently, securing it with latches back.

Sometimes it turns out that when disassembling a laptop through negligence or due to insufficient strength, the latch for the connector for the keyboard cable breaks.

After it breaks down, it becomes impossible to fix the keyboard cable.

It is best to replace the connector, but finding it is problematic, and you will need special equipment to replace it, which not everyone has.

Therefore, we will analyze the way how this problem can be solved with the help of improvised means that everyone has.

Before starting work, it is recommended to de-energize the laptop by disconnecting the power supply and removing the battery.

Next, we take a regular plastic bottle and cut a plastic plate out of it. You need to cut a plate with a train width.

Then install the ribbon cable and insert the cut-out plate between the ribbon cable and the connector pins. The plate should enter with force, securely fixing the train.

In our case, the thickness of the plate was not enough, so we bent it twice and insert it into the slot in this form.

After that, we fix the train with masking tape in order to avoid accidental disconnection of the train during shocks and vibrations.

However, this procedure will have to be performed every time the laptop is disassembled to clean and replace the thermal paste.

This method works not only for laptop connectors, but also for similar connectors of tablets, smartphones, cameras and other devices.

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A broken keyboard is a big nuisance for a laptop owner. Unlike the owner of a PC, who can always replace an outboard accessory that has become unusable with a new one, in such cases he has to give the laptop itself for repair. And it's good if there is no influx of customers in the service workshop, then repair the laptop keyboard or replace it quickly. Otherwise, you will have to do without a device for at least several days.

Alternatively, you can try to repair the equipment yourself.

Diagnosing the problem

To fix the problem, first of all, you need to understand the cause of its occurrence. Breakdown can be caused by:

• oxidized loop contacts
• burnt out microcontroller
• liquid spilled on buttons
• mechanical damage.

In addition, the laptop keyboard may fail due to operating system errors. In this case, it is not difficult to solve the problem yourself. It is enough to complete the installation steps or the drivers and the device will work again.

In the event that the breakdown is caused by other of the above reasons, it is much more difficult to repair the keyboard, and sometimes the only way out is to replace it.

If the laptop's battery life is fairly decent, keyboard problems may be due to loosening or oxidation of the ribbon cable pins. To check this option, the device will have to be disassembled. How this is done, look at the photo:

Having reached the loop, you should disconnect it by pushing it out of the connector. If, upon visual inspection, damage to the contacts is clearly visible, the component will have to be changed. Replacing it yourself will not be difficult.

If outwardly everything is in order with the contacts, they need to be wiped with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol or a regular stationery eraser. After cleaning, insert the part into the connector, after which you can test the device's performance.

It should be borne in mind that if the loop is repeatedly disconnected, the connector may become unusable, after which the keyboard replacement will be inevitable.

The reasons for the breakdown can be as shown in the photo:

It is more difficult to fix a breakdown resulting from liquid getting under the buttons. It is not uncommon for a keyboard to be repaired at all. In this case, the problem can only be solved by replacing it, and at the same time other laptop nodes that have suffered from getting wet.

Replacing the keyboard is most often trusted by professional craftsmen, but you can do it yourself. Changing the panel is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. Here's how to change buttons in a service workshop: