10 Unexpected Key Repairs Tips
How to Fix Faulty Key Repairs
A damaged key fob could ruin your day. Fortunately, fixing these issues is easy with the right tools and steps.
Always ensure that you ground yourself prior to beginning any repairs to remove static electricity. It's only a matter of seconds and is a good practice when working with electronics in general.
Find any debris under the key that is damaged. Breadcrumbs and other bits of food often become stuck beneath keys, preventing them from being pushed in properly.
Broken Car Keys
Car keys are easy to overlook until they stop or break working at the most difficult times. Whether you're trying to open the trunk of your vehicle to buy groceries, opening your doors to go out or even getting your car started and heading off to work - car keys can be very frustrating when they do not work.
Over time, car keys suffer from many wear and tear. They may be damaged due to being dropped or knocked around and the internal parts may wear down until they don't function correctly anymore. This is a huge issue since it means you aren't able to drive without a spare key or have your mechanic fix the problem.
The majority of broken car keys can be easily repaired or replaced. If the key is broken in your lock or ignition, you may occasionally remove the remaining part of the key using pliers or a coated wire. Additionally, a locksmith could offer you a set of special tools for removal that are designed to slide into the key and apply an apex-like grip to the broken pieces in order to pull them out.
Super glue can be used to fix the broken car key. It's a simple and easy fix. This can be a bit difficult as you must ensure that the pieces are correctly aligned, but the results can be extremely effective. It's a good idea keep a pair of scissors and a roll tape on hand in case you need to alter the alignment slightly.
Replace the battery inside the car key fob to temporarily repair a broken key. This is usually the best option when your car key fob isn't working on but you don't have the right replacement. You can do this depending on the model and type of your car by taking off the fob, and then opening it using the help of a screwdriver.
If the issue is serious, like if your key fob isn't functioning or is unresponsive it is necessary to replace it. This is something that you can do at a dealer, but it's usually cheaper to contact an auto locksmith to visit your location and perform the required repairs or replace the key fob entirely.
Broken Key Fobs
Like any electronic device, car key fobs can fail. When they stop working, they're not difficult to repair. You'll first have to determine the issue.
The battery is usually the reason why the keyfob ceases to function. The simplest and most cost-effective solution is to replace the battery. You can do this at your home.
If changing the battery doesn't work, try taking it apart and cleaning it. The circuit board on the fob is comprised of "contact pads" that correspond to every button on the fob. (Lock buttons trunk buttons, lock buttons, etc.) The contact pads are made of rubber and coated in an electricity conducting film that starts to wear off as time passes. You can clean the contacts on your key fob with the use of rubbing alcohol and a cotton swab for removing any corrosion.
If you suspect that the contacts are loose or broken You can try using a pair of tweezers. g28carkeys.co.uk is recommended to apply silicone to the back of the key fob prior to you insert the new contacts. Silicone can help seal the contacts and keep water out.
A key fob that's not working may be because it was not connected to the vehicle. When you push the button on a key fob, it transmits a code to the car, which tells it what it is trying to do. If the key fob is un-paired, it will no longer recognize the vehicle and will no longer allow you to start the engine.
If you're unable to get your key fob to pair to your car, it's probably time to contact an auto locksmith or dealership technician. They'll have the necessary equipment to reprogram the key fob and make it functional again. You'll likely have to pay for the service but it's much less than buying a brand new key fob.
Unresponsive Keys
It's not a pleasant experience when the key on your computer stops working. First, ensure that the key isn’t blocked by anything. Over time dust, hair, and other particles can build up and disrupt the circuitry of the key. Try gently getting rid of the key and then cleaning the area underneath it with a rag or rubbing alcohol. Sometimes, this is all that's needed to get your key working again.
If the key doesn't work after trying all these options it could be an issue with the software. Certain keys are linked to specific actions in games and if your key isn't doing what you'd expect it to, check your game settings to confirm that the key is correctly associated with the game.
You may also try reinstalling your keyboard drivers to fix the issue. Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause your keyboard to stop functioning, which is why you should always keep them up to date whenever you can.
The key may be broken. There are two circuits that make up each key switch, and over time these can get worn out until they cease to register when the key is pressed. If this happens, it is best to replace the keyboard since the keyboard will not perform as it should.
If you've gone through all of these fixes and the key still isn't responding you're probably in need of have your laptop or external keyboard examined by a professional. It could be that the membrane covering your keyboard is damaged, or one of the keys are malfunctioning.
To determine this you'll have to test the keys on a keyboard tester website. The website will inform you whether the keys are functioning correctly or not. If they're registered correctly, then it is most likely a software problem. Then, you can begin applying the other fixes to restore full functionality. You could also consider using an external keyboard for a temporary solution until the internal keyboard is repaired or replaced.
Keys that aren't working
Keys that aren't working can be an absolute inconvenience, but they're generally simple to fix. Most times the problem is caused by a piece or dirt under the key or it's just not being connected properly to the keyboard or laptop. If you're not sure whether this is the case, begin by cleaning the keys and then using canned air to remove any dirt or dust.
It is also possible that the key has been out of alignment with the lock. It is possible to correct this problem with an expert. However, it's more likely that the key will need to be replaced. If you own an electronic key that isn't able to be turned with metal keys the transponder chip could have stopped working. It is necessary to have a new key that is programmed.
If your external keyboard or laptop keys seem to not be recording any actions in any way, you could try a key testing website. This can help you figure out if there's any problems with software or the keyboard itself.
Another reason why a single key not performing its function is that the switch isn't functioning properly. You can test whether your keyboard is mechanical by looking under the keycap to determine whether there is any debris stuck. If you see anything, wash it away by using canned air. Then remove the keycap. This will allow you replace the hooks which connect the retainer and the switch and, hopefully, restore functionality to your key.
If a particular key on your keyboard doesn't perform its intended function in one program, it's likely that the key is assigned to another action via the game's keyboard settings. Examine the settings on your keyboard and press the key again to see if it's working properly. If you're still experiencing issues it's best to purchase an entirely new keyboard. It can be installed by professionals. This is especially true when you're playing games that require the use of a lot of keyboards.