Laptop keyboard repair for dead, sticky and repeating keys.
One dead key, a row that stopped working, or a keyboard that types on its own. We find out whether it's a single key, the keyboard or the connection behind it, and fix it with a matching part.
- 1–3 days typical
- No fix, no fee
- 90-day warranty
- Free insured mail-in shipping
Signs you need this repair
Sound familiar? The diagnosis is always free.
- One or more keys don't respond
- A whole row or section stopped working
- Keys repeat or type on their own
- Sticky or crunchy keys after a spill
- A keycap came off or won't click back on
- Backlight out on some or all keys
Quick checks before you book
- Plug in a USB keyboard. If it types normally, the laptop is fine and the fault is in the built-in keyboard or its cable.
- Try the keys in the BIOS or setup screen. If they fail there too, it's hardware, not Windows.
- Turn off Filter Keys and Sticky Keys in Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard. Filter Keys can make a keyboard ignore quick presses.
- Look for crumbs under the problem key. Tilt the laptop and use short bursts of compressed air. Don't pry keycaps off, because the clips underneath break easily.
- Restart and update. Check your laptop maker's site for BIOS and keyboard driver updates.
Can you fix one key, or does the whole keyboard need replacing?
If a keycap popped off or one key feels loose, we can often replace the cap and the small hinge clip under it on its own, when a matching cap is available. That's quicker and cheaper than a full keyboard. Keycaps from different models often look identical but use different clips, so we match by model rather than by eye.
If the key moves normally but doesn't register, the fault is in the membrane or circuit under the keys, and that means a new keyboard. Keys that type by themselves, or several keys failing in a pattern, usually point to liquid damage or a failed membrane. Replacing the keyboard is the reliable fix for both.
Why some laptop keyboards cost more to replace
Laptop keyboard repair starts from $99. On many business laptops and Chromebooks, the keyboard comes out from the top or after removing the bottom cover and a few screws. That's the simple case.
On many thinner laptops, the keyboard is riveted or heat-staked to the palm rest. Then the fix is either replacing the whole top case, which includes the palm rest and sometimes the touchpad, or carefully removing the rivets and securing the new keyboard with screws. Top case parts cost more, so we tell you which way your model goes and confirm the price before starting.
We match your layout and backlight, and on gaming laptops the type of RGB lighting. Backlit keyboards cost more than plain ones.
Spilled something on the keyboard?
Shut it down, unplug it and, if your model has a removable battery, take it out. Turn the laptop upside down in a tent shape so liquid can drain, and don't switch it back on to test it. Don't use a hair dryer or heat gun, which can warp parts and push liquid deeper.
A keyboard is often the first thing to fail after a spill, but liquid can run through to the motherboard underneath, and sticky keys mean sugar or residue is still inside. During diagnosis we check the board for corrosion, and if it needs cleaning or repair, that's part of the quote. After a fresh spill, book a liquid damage check rather than waiting for the keyboard to give out.
Keyboard backlights and gaming laptops
If the backlight is out but the keys type fine, check the backlight shortcut, usually a Function key combination, and your laptop maker's app first. If it's still dark, the backlight layer, its cable or the connector on the board can be at fault.
Gaming laptops with zone or per-key RGB lighting need a keyboard made for that lighting system. After the swap, the lighting software may need reinstalling or updating before the effects work again.
How to prep your laptop
- Back up your files.
- Tell us exactly which keys fail, or take a photo and mark them.
- Include the charger if you're mailing it in, so we can test it fully.
- We don't need your password to replace a keyboard. If we sign in to test typing, we ask first, and you can set up a temporary account instead of sharing yours.
Mail it in from anywhere in the US
No repair store near you? Book online and we'll email a free, prepaid, insured shipping label. We diagnose it within 24h of arrival, repair it once you approve the price, and ship it back insured. How mail-in works.
Questions
Can I just use an external keyboard instead?
As a stopgap, yes. But a keyboard that types on its own can interfere with an external one, and a spill that killed the keyboard may still be corroding the board underneath. Those are worth checking.
Will the new keyboard match my old one?
We match the layout, size, backlight and color for your model. If a matching part isn't available, we tell you the options before ordering anything.
Does a ThinkPad keyboard replacement include the TrackPoint?
Yes. On ThinkPads the TrackPoint is part of the keyboard, so a new keyboard renews it too. Touchpad buttons are usually a separate part, and we quote them if they need replacing.
How long does a keyboard replacement take?
With the part in hand, a drop-in keyboard is a short job. Riveted keyboards and top cases take longer because more of the laptop comes apart. If we need to order the part, we give you the wait time with the quote.
Why do my keys type the wrong characters?
If the keys work but type the wrong symbols, such as @ and quotation marks swapped, the keyboard layout in Windows has probably changed. Press the Windows key and Space to switch layouts, and remove any you don't use under Settings > Time & language > Language & region. That's a setting, not a hardware fault.
More Computer repairs
Something else not quite right?
Laptop screen
Cracked, dark, flickering or lines on the display
Laptop battery
Won't hold a charge or swollen battery
Won't charge / power jack
Loose or broken charging port, charging faults
Virus removal & tune-up
Pop-ups, slow startup, malware and cleanup
SSD & RAM upgrade
Faster boot, more space, files moved over
Overheating & fan noise
Deep clean, new thermal paste, fan repair
Broken today? Start your repair in two minutes.
Three quick questions: your model, what's wrong, and how you'll get it to us. See your price, then book a nearby store or mail it in.