Learn About Key Repairs While Working From The Comfort Of Your Home
How to Fix Faulty Key Repairs
A damaged key fob could ruin your day. With the right tools and guidelines it's easy to fix these issues.
Always ground yourself before attempting repairs to eliminate static electricity. It takes just about a minute and is a good way to practice for working with electronics.
Look for any debris under the bad key. Breadcrumbs and other bits may get stuck beneath keys, preventing the keys from being properly pushed into.
Broken Car Keys
Car keys are something we overlook until they break or stop working at the most difficult times. If you're trying to open the trunk of your vehicle to buy groceries, or unlocking your doors to go to a place or even getting your car started and heading off to work, keys for cars can be very frustrating when they don't work.
Over time, keys to automobiles may wear out. Dropping or knocking them could cause damage and the internal parts could get worn out to the point that they are no longer functional. This is a serious problem and you'll be unable use your vehicle unless you have an extra key or your mechanic can fix the problem.
The majority of car keys that are damaged can be easily repaired or replaced. If the key is damaged inside the lock or ignition you can remove the remaining piece of the key using pliers or coated wire. A locksmith can also provide you with tools for removal that slide along the key and grasp the broken pieces with pliers in a similar way.
If the key to your car is broken in half, an easy and cost-effective solution is to super glue the two pieces back together. It can be a challenge to align the pieces correctly however it can produce excellent results. It is a good idea to keep a pair of scissors and a roll tape on hand in case you have to alter the alignment just a little.
Another method to fix temporarily damaged car keys is to replace the battery inside the key fob. If your car key fob isn't working and you don't yet have a replacement then this is the ideal solution. You can do this depending on the model and type of your vehicle by taking out the fob, and then opening it with an screwdriver.
If the issue is severe or if the keyfob is not working or is not responding, you'll need to replace it. This is something you can get at a dealership, but it's usually more affordable to call an auto locksmith to come to your location and perform the needed repairs or replace the key fob completely.
Broken Key Fobs
Car key fobs aren't impervious to damage, and just like any electronic device, they are prone to problems at some time. If they stop working, they are not difficult to repair. First, you'll need to identify the cause.
The majority of the time, when the key fob ceases to function, it's because the battery is dead. The most simple and cost-effective solution is to replace the battery. It's possible to do this at your home.
If cleaning the fob isn't working you can remove it. Your fob is equipped with a circuit board inside that holds a number of "contact pads" for each button you can press on the fob (lock buttons and trunk buttons, for example). The contact pads feel rubbery and are coated with an electricity-conducting film which wears off over time. You can clean your contacts on your key fob using rubbing alcohol and a cotton swab to remove any corrosion.
You could also try a pair of tweezers to replace the contacts on your key fob in case you suspect that they are damaged or loose. If you do this, it is recommended to apply some silicone on the back of your key fob prior inserting the new contacts. Silicone will seal the contacts to keep out water.
Another reason to consider a non-functioning key fob is that it is no longer linked with the vehicle. When you use a key fob, it sends the car a signal that communicates to it what you are trying to do. If car key repair cost has been disconnected, it won't be able to recognize the car and not allow you to start the engine.
It's time to contact a locksmith or a dealership technician if you can't get the key fob to connect with your car. They'll have the equipment to reprogram the key fob and make it functional again. You'll likely be charged a small fee for the service, but it's much cheaper than purchasing a new key fob.
Keys that aren't responsive
If the keyboard key stops working, it can be an absolute nightmare. First, ensure that the key isn’t blocked by anything. Dust, hair, and other debris can accumulate over time and obstruct the key's movement or cause interference to its circuitry. Try gently removing the key and clean the area beneath it with a rag or ruby alcohol. This may be all that's required to get your key working again.
If the key does not work, it's possible it's an issue with your software. Some keys are mapped to specific actions in games If your key isn't working as you'd expect it to, you should check your game settings to confirm that the key is properly associated with the game.
You might also try reinstalling the drivers for your keyboard to resolve the problem. Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause your keyboard to stop functioning, so it is important to always keep them up to date whenever you can.
Another possibility is that the key is damaged. There are two circuits that make up each key switch, and as time passes, they be damaged to the point where they are no longer able to detect when pressed. If this happens it is recommended to replace the keyboard as the keyboard won't function properly.
If you've gone through all of these fixes, but the key still isn't responding then it's time to get your laptop or external keyboard checked by an expert. It could be that the membrane that covers the keyboard is damaged or that one of the keys are defective.
To determine this, you'll need to test the keys on the keyboard tester website. The website will inform you whether the keys are functioning correctly or not. If they are, then it is most likely to be a software issue. Then, you can begin applying the fixes you have made to restore full functionality. You can also use an external keyboard until the internal keyboard is repaired or replaced.
Keys That Don't Work
Keys that don't function are an enormous inconvenience, but they are usually relatively simple to fix. The majority of the time the problem is caused by a piece or dirt beneath the key, or just not being connected properly to the keyboard or laptop. If you are unsure, clean the keys with canned air and blow out any dust or dirt.
The key may have become misaligned. It's possible to fix this issue with an expert. However, it is more likely that the key needs to be replaced. If you have an electronic key that cannot be turned using an iron key the transponder chip could have stopped working. You'll need a new key programmed.
If your laptop or external keyboard keys aren't registering any action in any way, you could try a key test website. This will help you determine if your keyboard is malfunctioning or if software is interfering.
A switch that's not functioning properly could also be the cause of the key not functioning as expected. If you own mechanical keyboards it is easy to check this by looking beneath the keycap to see whether there's any debris that has accumulated on it. If you spot something, clean it using canned air, and then take off the keycap. This will let you replace the hooks that connect the retainer and switch and hopefully restore function to your key.
If you have a keyboard key that fails to perform the expected function in only one program, then it's likely that the keyboard settings of the game have mapped the key to perform a different function. Check the settings for your keyboard and then press the key again to see if it's working. If it's not, it's best to buy a new keyboard and get it installed by an experienced. This is particularly true in case you play a game that requires a lot of typing.