Solved One key not working on laptop

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xAyress

PCHF Member
Oct 19, 2017
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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.
 
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?
 
Last edited:
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.
 
upload_2017-10-20_16-0-14.png


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?
 
DOUGIE said:
I would remove the keycap, clean and replace, and see if that fixes the problem.
Clean any buildup off with a dry brush only.
Click to expand...
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?
 
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.
 
xAyress said:
Or do I need to replace whole keyboard?
Click to expand...

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?
 
gus said:
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?
Click to expand...

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."
 
georgeks said:
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.
Click to expand...

Is factory reset the same as windows setup ems? I have windows 8.1 and I cant find that option to choose partition
 
gus said:
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?
Click to expand...
gus said:
My post was directed at the users comment in post number 1, seems to be conflicting?
Click to expand...

Sorry my bad. After a couple of hours starting the thread, I tried again with the external keyboard. To my surprise it suddenly worked. Thats why I was posting to say it worked but my apology for not being clear. As for booting in safe mode still gives me the problem.
 
It is the laptop keyboard.
If the external and the OSK both work, that rules out a problem with the Windows install.

If you don't want to spend any money either keep using the external keyboard or use the OSK when you are traveling.

I had a keyboard replaced in a laptop. One key would not stay attached - it broke when my husband grabbed the laptop to prevent it from slipping. The keyboard cost $30 and $35 to install. (I saved the old keyboard). I also watched the guy install it so that if I'd need to do this I'd be able to. I considered the $35 cost of the install, the price for teaching me a) how to remove the keyboard, b) disconnect the connector and c) connect and insert the new keyboard.
 
plodr said:
It is the laptop keyboard.
If the external and the OSK both work, that rules out a problem with the Windows install.

If you don't want to spend any money either keep using the external keyboard or use the OSK when you are traveling.

I had a keyboard replaced in a laptop. One key would not stay attached - it broke when my husband grabbed the laptop to prevent it from slipping. The keyboard cost $30 and $35 to install. (I saved the old keyboard). I also watched the guy install it so that if I'd need to do this I'd be able to. I considered the $35 cost of the install, the price for teaching me a) how to remove the keyboard, b) disconnect the connector and c) connect and insert the new keyboard.
Click to expand...

Yeah. After taken so many actions Im highly certain about the keyboard being broken. I have just dissambled the laptop again and tried to connect everything in place. But this also didnt work. So after putting everything back I went online and searched for a new keyboard. Lets cross fingers and hope this might be the solution.
 
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