10 Key Repair-Friendly Habits To Be Healthy
How to Fix a Key Scratch on Your Car
If you have scratch marks on the key of your vehicle that you would like to repair, there are several options available. Mobile auto detailing experts can fix the scratch and restore the appearance of your vehicle.
Begin by looking for and identify the problem with the key. Then, test the key to confirm that it's working correctly.
1. Take off the keycap
Due to their regular usage, keyboards are susceptible to wear and tear. They may also collect hair, dust and food which can cause them to malfunction. Cleaning your keyboard will get rid of these particles and extend the life of your keyboard.
The first step is to turn off your computer and then disconnect the keyboard, if you can. This will prevent you from typing accidental commands while using the keyboard. Find a space where you can arrange all the keys. This will make it easier to reconnect them after you've finished.
If you don't own a keycap remover tool you can try a butter knife or a flathead screwdriver. You can also try shaping a paperclip into an "U" shape and then bending the ends so that it can hook under a key. Once you've removed the keycap, wash it off and wipe the keyswitch clean.
You can also clean the key stems which are the small towers or clips that stick out from the faceplate of each key. Use a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol to clean off any dirt or debris that has accumulated on the faceplate. Be careful not to spill any alcohol on the printed areas of the key, as it may damage it.
Reattach the key after washing it. Start with the top left corner, and move down the row one key at a. If you're using a fresh keycap, make sure you align it with the switcheswitch and press down equally on the sides to snap it into place.
Be aware of the larger keys, such as the enter and space bars when you attach the cap to the key. They are joined to a bar of metal which can be damaged if not handled with care. After you have placed the keycaps all over the keyboard, press down the keys to test them. If the keycap is connected you should hear a clicking sound and feel it pressing down. If you don't then you might need to try reattaching the keycap once more or bringing it to a professional.
2. Clean is the most important thing.
It could be due to a variety of reasons why a key is sticky or mushy, but most commonly it's because the key isn't inserted properly into its base or key mechanism. For desktop keyboards, the easiest way to solve this is by using a blunt prying device such as a butter knife or flathead screwdriver to break the corner of the key loose. The key will be removed with a snap. You can clean it by washing it in alcohol or water. If your keys have rust then you can scrub them with salt and lemon. You can also soak them in a mixture of vinegar and water.
Before you start anything, make sure you shut down your computer and disconnect it if you need to. It's also important to ground yourself, since the last thing you want is to damage delicate electronic components by static electricity.
Start by wiping down the keys and their surroundings using a lint free cloth. Make sure you wring it out thoroughly to ensure that there is no moisture between the keys. Make sure you use a gentle cleaning solution since stronger cleaners can damage the plastic.
Then you can use a cotton swab dampened in isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) to wipe around the edges of the keys and its surrounding area. Be careful not to get any of the alcohol on the printing, since this can cause discoloration or even remove the lettering off your keys.
You can also buy an electronic cleaning brush from a general retailer. This will allow you to get rid of stubborn dirt and other debris. You can also purchase products in a gel consistency which can be sprayed on your keyboard and then peeled away. This will take away any loose debris between your keys.
If your key is stuck or mushy even after you've tried the solutions above it could be time to replace it. Depending on the type of key, this may be a simple procedure or it can be more complex, and you may need to disassemble the whole key mechanism to take out the old key, and then insert the new one in place.
3. Reattach the keycap
We rarely think about our keys until they're broken or locked in the car. This can be a real headache however there are a few options you can take to help fix the problem and save yourself some money.
Try using compressed air to blow away any dust or debris that might be blocking the switch. If this fails, you can try prying the key cap off and clean it.
Use an item for prying with plastic, such as credit card or spudger (you can also make use of butter knives in an emergency). Also, you should have a small tool like a toothpick or tweezers to clean the tiny grooves around the key.
After cleaning the key, reattaching the keycap will allow you test it. If the key doesn't respond, you may have to replace the switch on your key.
If your keyboard is old or the switch is damaged, then you will need to purchase the replacement. You can solder it into place. This is a more complicated fix, but it's typically the only option when the key isn't functioning.
Dust accumulation under the key is one of the most frequent causes for keys not to work. If this is the situation, all you have to do is clean the area and get rid of any dirt or debris.
Another common reason for a key to cease working is because the key switch has become corroded. This could happen when water or other liquid gets into the switch, and can cause corrosion that could eventually eat away at the pins of the key switch and connectors on the circuit board.
To avoid this taking place, you should clean the circuit board with contact cleaner prior to replacing the key. This will make the switch more resistant to corrosion and make it easier to pop it out and solder an entirely new switch.
If you don't feel comfortable fixing your laptop on your own then you can take it to an repair shop for electronics. They will be able tell you if your key switch is repairable and in the event that it is not, they will replace it.
4. Test the key
It can be a hassle, and even dangerous, when a key won't work to start your vehicle. It can also be expensive in the event that you need to purchase a replacement key fob. But, before remote key fob repair head out to the auto shop or an electronics store there are some quick fixes you can try. You should first try an alternative key to confirm that it is your original key that is causing the problem. This will help to narrow down the issue and help save money in the end.
If the key doesn't work after taking it apart, you can determine the cause. Most keys are comprised of three parts: the key cap and the key carriage and the key pad. Each of these parts can cause different issues for the key. A common issue is that the cap of the key may be loose or tilted, which could hinder it from snapping back when you press down on the key. This can be fixed by applying the cap again.
Another possibility is that the key carriage or the key pad may be damaged or dirty. These parts are not easy to fix, but you can often clean them using a toothpick or a pair of tweezers. You should be careful not to scratch any internal parts as this could cause your key to cease functioning completely.
You can also do an examination of the key rollover. This is a test that examines whether or not a key can register a variety of keys simultaneously. You can do this by pressing several keys at the same time, then checking whether or not they all register correctly. If any keys don't register, you may have to clean or replace them.
You can also replace the battery in your key fob. It's a simple and inexpensive way to test your key, and will aid in determining if the problem is caused by an unresponsive battery or a broken ignition switch.