Laptop key not working.

[Haswellx86]

The Z key on my other laptop is not working. I removed the key and dug in till removing the rubber cap and cleaned everything off and re-seated it. The key doesn't look to be totally dead as sometimes it would get stuck registering key presses when I was working with the key cap, but it is clear there is a malfunction inside.

 

Technician offers to get a new keyboard. No other way. One thing is clear that they would never put the time, effort and interest as me in fixing something when the part is replaceable. But this one might be true because laptop keyboards just aren't meant to be fully disassembled as far as I know.

[Haswellx86]

The Z key is the least used and yet that is the one which takes down the entire keyboard.

 

I have an Intel 4th gen Dell Inspiron. Still no such problems. Machines back then were just built different. That too is just plastic like this one (but the whole structure is much more sturdy, and of course bigger and heavier).

[CasualExtremist]

Is this a documentation of the fault or are you trying to troubleshoot?

[Haswellx86]

19 minutes ago, CasualExtremist said:

Is this a documentation of the fault or are you trying to troubleshoot?

Of course I am trying to troubleshoot. What can I do to try to fix it? Or is a replacement the only option?

 

edit - Sorry if I didn't make it clear that I am looking to fix it. I thought anyone would figure it out...

[OhYou_]

model of the laptop? country? in most cases it is simply not worth diagnosing further. a single key fault will be localized to that key and indicative of damage to the membrane at or near the key
all laptop keyboards are impossible to repair, they are one time assembled and there is no way to simply open them up and close them again without destroying it.
the only maybe fixable faults are when a group of keys do not work, indicating a row or col signaling issue at the connector

[Haswellx86]

@OhYou_ HP Laptop 14-ck2018tu (Intel 10th gen)

 

So you are saying a single key fault can not be fixed in itself? I would have tried opening it myself but the plastic body is delicate and leaves marks.

 

 

[OddOod]

15 minutes ago, Haswellx86 said:

So you are saying a single key fault can not be fixed in itself? I would have tried opening it myself but the plastic body is delicate and leaves marks.

Yes. Modern laptop keyboards are not only not user serviceable, but generally not serviceable in any way shape or form. They are monolithic parts that must be fully replaced.

[CasualExtremist]

2 hours ago, Haswellx86 said:

Of course I am trying to troubleshoot. What can I do to try to fix it? Or is a replacement the only option?

 

edit - Sorry if I didn't make it clear that I am looking to fix it. I thought anyone would figure it out...

I preferred not to assume. Especially since this was not dropped into the Troubleshooting specific subsection of the forum. I will try to read your mind better next time...