One key not working on laptop

[xAyress]

Hi all,

Yesterday morning when I was working on the laptop I still could ue the key ‘s’. In the evening I suddenly couldn’t use that key anymore. I had some difficulties getting the ‘s’ and after a while the key stopped working. There has no liquid been spilled on the keyboard, so I don’t know what is going on now. I also have not downloaded or installed any programme recently which can affect this. I have searched on the internet for some help. These are the actions that I have taken:

• Clean out the laptop by using a compressed air cleaner
• Deleting driver and reinstalling it
• Scan the laptop for malware etc which might cause these problems
• Via safe mode to see if the key is working there, but sadly without any results
• With on screen keyboard I can use the key ‘s’
• Plugging an external keyboard to my laptop, but still cant use ‘s’
• System restore to the point it worked, but also without result

At the moment I can’t think of anything what can suddenly cause this problem. I hope you can help me out with this.

[georgeks]

Hello xAyress and Welcome to PCHF
If you boot your system not in Windows (for example a USB stick, with a live Linux distro) does the s work then?

Did this happened after a Windows update?
Some people report weird issues.

What is the model and maker of your system?

[xAyress]

Hi there!
Thank you for the fast reply. I have just tried it but the key is still not working. I had a Windows update recently but when I did the system restore I chose the date when my laptop was still working, so I dont think windows update causes this, I might be wrong tho. Also I have just tried to plug in again the usb keyboard and this time the key is working there. So this is a bit strange..
I have an Asus R513L.

[georgeks]

[ATTACH]2951[/ATTACH]

In Device Manager under Keyboards, what devices are present?
If you click on each one and select update drivers -first my computer and then automatically- is there any change?

[plodr]

When you use the onscreen keyboard, does the “s” key work?

[xAyress]

[ATTACH]2951[/ATTACH]

In Device Manager under Keyboards, what devices are present?
If you click on each one and select update drivers -first my computer and then automatically- is there any change?

I only see PC/AT-uitgebreid PS/2-toetsenbord (101/102 toetsen). There are no changes to that

[xAyress]

When you use the onscreen keyboard, does the “s” key work?

The key on the osk works. And also the letter ‘s’ from the usb keyboard connected to my laptop is also working.

[DOUGIE]

I would remove the keycap, clean and replace, and see if that fixes the problem.
Clean any buildup off with a dry brush only.

[xAyress]

I would remove the keycap, clean and replace, and see if that fixes the problem.
Clean any buildup off with a dry brush only.

Unfortunately that also doesnt work. I have opened up the whole thing, cleaned and put everything back, but it is still not working. Do you think wiping everthing off of the laptop would fix the problem? Or do I need to replace whole keyboard?

[georgeks]

Occam’s razor dictates that this is a software issue.

Copy your documents/data/passwords on a USB stick and:

At startup, press the F9 key, then, select Windows Setup (EMS enabled).

This will take you to a menu showing the partitions on your computer. Select the partition of your choice to access it.

[jmarket]

Or do I need to replace whole keyboard?

Hope you don’t mind me butting in here, but the fact that you said the problem is the same with an external keyboard sort of rules out the problem being your laptop keyboard. I believe you should follow Georgeks advice but you could also try booting to safe mode and see if the issue remains?

[DOUGIE]

Hope you don’t mind me butting in here, but the fact that you said the problem is the same with an external keyboard sort of rules out the problem being your laptop keyboard. I believe you should follow Georgeks advice but you could also try booting to safe mode and see if the issue remains?

The OP in #7 states the “key” works with a usb keyboard.
“And also the letter ‘s’ from the usb keyboard connected to my laptop is also working.”

[jmarket]

My post was directed at the users comment in post number 1, seems to be conflicting?

• Plugging an external keyboard to my laptop, but still cant use ‘s’

[DOUGIE]

Have you tried pressing the “S” key sensor down with your finger, with the Key Cap removed?

[xAyress]

Occam’s razor dictates that this is a software issue.

Copy your documents/data/passwords on a USB stick and:

At startup, press the F9 key, then, select Windows Setup (EMS enabled).

This will take you to a menu showing the partitions on your computer. Select the partition of your choice to access it.

Is factory reset the same as windows setup ems? I have windows 8.1 and I cant find that option to choose partition