The Little-Known Benefits Of Key Repairs
How to Fix Faulty Key Repairs
A faulty key fob can throw off your whole day. Luckily, repairing the issue is simple with the right tools and procedures.
Always ground yourself before attempting any repairs to remove static electricity. It only takes several seconds and is a good habit to work with electronics.
Check for any debris that has gotten caught underneath the bad key. Breadcrumbs and other pieces of debris may get stuck beneath keys, which can prevent the keys from being properly pushed in.
Broken Car Keys
It's easy to take your car keys for granted until they stop working or break at the worst possible moment. If your car keys don't work, it could be a nightmare to open your trunk to get groceries, open your doors to get to a place, or start your engine to get to work.
Over time, keys for automobiles may wear out. Dropping or knocking them could cause damage and the internal parts can become worn out to the point where they are no longer functional. This is a major issue since it means you can't use your car unless you have a spare key or have your mechanic fix the issue.
Fortunately, the majority of broken car keys can be repaired or replaced easily. If the key has been damaged inside the lock or ignition you can remove the remaining portion of the key by using pliers or coated wire. A locksmith may offer you a set of special tools designed to slide in along the key and place a pincer-like grip on the broken pieces to safely remove them.
Super glue can be used to repair the broken car key. It is a quick and easy fix. It can be tricky to get the pieces aligned properly however it can produce great results. Keep a pair or scissors and a roll tape on hand in case you need to alter the alignment.
Another method to fix temporarily damaged car keys is to replace the battery on the key fob. If your car key fob isn't working and you don't yet have an alternative, this is the best solution. Depending on the type of vehicle, you could often do this by removing the key fob and then opening it using a screwdriver, or a small tool.
If the issue is more serious like your key fob becomes totally inactive or does not turn on at all, you will have to replace it. You can do this at the dealer, but an auto locksmith is likely to be cheaper. They will visit you and make the needed repairs or even replace the key fob.
Broken Key Fobs
Like any electronic device, car key fobs can fail. When they stop working they're not difficult to fix. You'll first need to determine the cause.
The battery is often the cause when the keyfob stops working. Removing the battery is the simplest and cheapest solution, and it's something you can do at home.
If cleaning the fob is not working, you can remove it. Your fob has a circuit board inside that houses a variety of "contact pads" for each button that you can press on the fob (lock buttons and trunk buttons, for example). These contact pads have a rubbery feel and are coated with an electricity-conducting film that wears off over time. Utilizing a cotton swab along with some rubbing alcohol, you can clean the contacts on your key fob to get rid of any corrosion that could be hindering their functioning.
You could also try using a pair of tweezers re-seat the contacts on your key fob if suspect they are broken or loose. It is best to apply silicone to the back of the key fob prior to you insert the new contacts. Silicone will help to seal the contacts and keep water out.
Another reason to consider a non-functioning key fob is that it is no longer paired with the vehicle. When you use a key fob, it sends the car a code that communicates to it what you're trying to accomplish. If the key fob is un-paired it will not recognize the vehicle and won't allow you to start your engine.
It's time to contact an locksmith or dealership technician if it's impossible to get the key fob to pair with your car. They'll have the tools 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 purchasing a new key fob.
Unresponsive Keys
If the keyboard key isn't working, it could be a nightmare. The first step is to ensure that the key isn't blocked by something physical. Over time dust, hair and other debris can build up and disrupt the circuitry of a key. Try gently taking your key off and cleaning it with a rag soaked in rubbing alcohol. Sometimes, this is all that's required to get your key back in working order.
If the key does not work after trying all these things it could be an issue with your software. If your key isn't doing what you expect, make sure to check the settings of your game to confirm that it's properly assigned.
You could also try reinstalling the drivers for your keyboard to resolve the issue. Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause your keyboard to cease functioning, so it is important to always keep them up to date whenever you can.
Another possibility is that the key may be damaged. Every key switch is comprised of two circuits, and they could wear out in time to the point that they cannot longer recognize the press. If this happens the best choice is to replace the entire keyboard since it will likely no longer perform as it should.
If you've tried all of these fixes and the keyboard is still not responding then it's time to have your laptop or external keyboard inspected by an expert. There could be a physical issue with the membrane that covers your keyboard or it could be that one of the keys has become defective.
To find out, you'll need to test the keys with the keyboard tester website. g28carkeys.co.uk will inform you whether the keys are functioning correctly or not. If they are, then it is most likely a software problem. The other solutions can be applied to restore full functionality. You can also utilize an external keyboard until the internal keyboard is repaired or replaced.
Keys That Don't Work
It's a hassle when keys don't function however, they're usually simple to repair. A malfunctioning button could be caused by a piece of grime under the button or it may simply not be properly connected to your keyboard or laptop. If you are unsure then clean the keys using canned air and blow away any dirt or dust.
The key could have become unbalanced. This is another issue that can be solved by an expert, but it is more likely to require replacement of the key. If your car key is electronic and can't be turned by pressing a metal manual key into the ignition, it's likely the transponder chip inside has stopped working, and you'll have to get an entirely new key programmed.
If your laptop keyboard or external keyboard keys seem to not be registering any action at all, you can try using a key test website. This will help you determine if the keyboard is malfunctioning or if software is causing problems.
Another reason that a single key not performing its intended function is because the switch isn't working properly. You can check whether your keyboard is mechanical by looking under the cap to see whether there is any debris stuck. If you spot something, clean it with canned air and then take off the cap. This will let you replace the hooks that connect the retainer to the switch and hopefully bring back functionality to the key.
If a key on your keyboard doesn't perform its intended function in one application, it's likely that the key has been mapped to another action through the game's keyboard settings. Check the settings of your keyboard and try pressing the key again to determine if it's working properly. If you're having issues, it is best to purchase an entirely new keyboard. It can be put in place by a professional. This is especially important in the case of games that require the use of a lot of keyboards.