A damaged key fob can throw off your whole day. Luckily, fixing these issues is easy with the right tools and steps.
Before you begin any repairs, you must always be sure to ground yourself to eliminate static electricity. It takes only a few seconds and is a good habit when working with electronics.
Find any debris beneath the key you are trying to replace. Breadcrumbs and other bits often get stuck underneath keys, which prevents them from being pushed in properly.
Broken Car Keys
It's easy to take your car keys for granted until they stop working or break at the worst possible moment. Whether you're trying to open the trunk of your vehicle to buy groceries, opening your doors to go to a place, or getting your car started and heading to work, keys for cars can be extremely frustrating when they do not work.
Over time, keys to automobiles can wear out. Dropping or knocking them could cause damage, and the internal parts could become worn out to the point that they are no longer functional. This is a major issue because it means that you won't be able to use your vehicle unless you have a spare key or have your mechanic fix the issue.
The majority of broken car keys can be easily repaired or replaced. If the key is damaged inside your lock or ignition, you can sometimes remove the remaining portion of the key by using pliers or a wire coated with. Alternatively, a locksmith can provide you with the necessary tools designed to slide in along the key and place a pincer-like grip on the broken pieces in order to pull them out.
If the key to your car is broken in half, an easy and inexpensive fix can be to glue the two pieces back together. It can be difficult to get the pieces aligned properly, but it can yield great results. It's a good idea keep a pair of scissors and a roll of tape handy just in case you have to alter the alignment just slightly.
Replace the battery in your car key fob in order to repair a broken key. If your car key fob isn't working and you don't have a replacement it is the best solution. You can accomplish this based on the type and model of your car by taking off the fob and then opening it with a screwdriver.
If the issue is serious or if the key fob isn't functioning or is unresponsive and you need to replace it. You can do this at the dealer, but an auto locksmith will typically be cheaper. They will visit you and make any necessary repairs or even replace the key fob.
Broken Key Fobs
Like any electronic device, car key fobs can malfunction. However, they're not that difficult to repair when they stop working. First, you'll need to identify the issue.
The majority of the time, when a key fob stops working it's because the battery is dead. The replacement of the battery is the simplest and least expensive solution, and is something you can do at home.
If cleaning the fob isn't working then you can disassemble it. Your fob is equipped with an internal circuit board that holds a number of "contact pads" for every button you can press on the fob (lock buttons, trunk buttons, etc). The contact pads are made of rubber and are coated with an electrically conducting film that will eventually fade as time passes. Utilizing a cotton swab along with some rubbing alcohol, you can wash the contacts on your key fob to remove any corrosion that could be hindering their function.
If you suspect that the contacts are damaged or loose You can try using the tweezers in a pair. If you do this, it is an excellent idea to put some silicone on the back of your key fob prior inserting the new contacts. Silicone will seal the contacts to keep out water.
Another reason to consider a non-functioning key fob is that it is no longer paired with the vehicle. When you press the button on a key fob, it transmits a code to the car that informs it what it's trying to accomplish. If the key fob is unpaired, it won't recognize the car and not allow you to start the engine.
It's time for you to call a locksmith or a dealership technician if it's impossible to get the key fob that you want to pair with your car. They will have the equipment necessary to reprogram the fob to make it work. It's likely that you'll need to pay for the service, but it's much less than purchasing a brand new key fob.
Keys that aren't responsive
It's not a pleasant experience when the key on your computer stops working. First, make sure the key isn't blocked by anything. Dust, hair and other particles can build up over time and hinder the movement of a key or cause interference to its circuitry. Try gently removing the key and clean the area beneath it using a rag and rubbing alcohol. This may be all that's required to make your key work again.
If the key does not work after trying these methods it could be a software problem. Certain keys are mapped to specific actions in games, so if your key isn't working as you'd expect it to, make sure you check your game settings to make sure that the key is correctly associated with the game.
key fob repair service may also want to try reinstalling your keyboard drivers to fix the issue. Always upgrade your drivers as often as you can to ensure that your keyboard doesn't stop working because of corrupted or outdated drivers.
The key might be damaged. Every key switch is made up of two circuits, and they can wear out in time to the point that they no longer recognize the press. If this is the situation, it is best to replace the keyboard because the keyboard will no longer perform as it should.
If you've gone through all of these fixes but the keyboard is still not responding you're probably in need of have your laptop or external keyboard checked by a professional. There may be a physical problem with the membrane that covers your keyboard or it could be because one of the keys has become damaged.
To determine this, you'll need to test the keys using a keyboard tester website. The website will inform you whether the keys are functioning correctly or not. If they're not in the latter, it's most likely a software problem. The remaining fixes can be applied to restore full functionality. You could also use an external keyboard until your internal keyboard is repaired or replaced.
Keys that don't work
It's a hassle when keys don't function, but they are usually simple to repair. A malfunctioning key could be caused by a piece or dirt under the button, or it may simply not be connected properly to your laptop or keyboard. If you're unsure then clean the keys using canned air and blow out any dirt or dust.
The key could have become misaligned. It is possible to fix this issue with a professional. However, it is more likely that the key will need to be replaced. If your car key is electronic and can't be turned by pressing a metal manual key into the ignition, it's possible that the transponder chip inside has stopped working and you'll need to have a new one programmed.
If your laptop or external keyboard keys seem to not be recording any actions in any way, you could try a key testing website. This will allow you to determine if the keyboard is malfunctioning or if software is causing interference.
A switch that's not functioning correctly can also be the cause of a key not performing as expected. You can determine if your keyboard is mechanical by looking underneath the keycap to see whether there is any debris stuck. If you find any, make use of canned air to remove it, then take off the keycap. This will allow you to replace the hooks which connect the retainer and switch, and hopefully restore functionality to your key.
If a key on your keyboard does not perform the desired function in only one program, then it is likely that the settings for the game's keyboard have assigned the key to perform a different function. Make sure you check the settings on your keyboard and then press the key again to check if it is functioning. If you're having issues you should buy an entirely new keyboard. It can be installed by professionals. This is especially important when you're playing games that require a lot of typing.
