How to Fix Faulty Key Repairs
A damaged key fob could make your life miserable. With the right tools and guidelines it's easy to fix these issues.
Always make sure to ground yourself prior to attempting any repairs to eliminate static electricity. It takes only a second and is a good idea when working with electronics generally.
Look for any debris under the bad key. Breadcrumbs and other pieces of debris can get stuck under keys, which can prevent the keys from being properly pushed into.
Broken Car Keys
Car keys are easy to overlook until they stop or break working at the most uncomfortable times. When your car keys don't work, it could be frustrating to try to open your trunk to get groceries, open your doors to go to a place, or start your engine to get to work.
Over time, keys for automobiles may wear out. They may be damaged due to being dropped or knocked around and the internal components may wear down to the point that they don't function correctly anymore. This is a serious issue, as you will be unable to operate your vehicle until you have an extra key or your mechanic corrects the problem.
Most broken car keys are easily repaired or replaced. If the key is damaged inside the lock or ignition you can remove the remaining piece of the key by using pliers or coated wire. Additionally, a locksmith could provide you with a set of special removal tools that are designed to slide into the key and then apply a pincer-like grip onto the broken pieces to safely take them out.
If the car key has been broken in half, a simple and inexpensive fix can be to super glue the two pieces back together. This can be a bit tricky because you need to ensure that the pieces are aligned, but the results can be very efficient. It is a good idea to keep a pair of scissors and a roll of tape handy just in case you have to adjust the alignment to a degree.
Replace the battery inside the car key fob in order to fix a broken key. This is usually the best option if your car key fob doesn't turn on and you don't have a suitable replacement. Depending on the model of vehicle, you can occasionally do this by taking off the key fob and then opening it with a screwdriver or a small tool.
If the problem is serious, like if your keyfob is not working or is not responding it is necessary to replace it. This is something that you can do at a dealership however, it's generally cheaper to contact an auto locksmith to come to your home and make the required repairs or replace the key fob entirely.
Broken Key Fobs
Car key fobs are not durable, and like any electronic device is susceptible to problems at some time. If they stop working, they're not difficult to fix. First, you'll need to identify the issue.
The battery is typically the cause when the keyfob stops working. Replacing the battery is the most simple and most affordable solution, and is something you can do at home.
If changing the battery does not work, you can try taking it apart and cleaning it. Your fob has a circuit board within it that houses a variety of "contact pads" for each button that you can press on the fob (lock buttons, trunk buttons, etc). These contact pads are rubber-like and are coated in an electrically conducting film that begins to wear off as time passes. You can clean your contacts on your key fob using rubbing alcohol and a cotton swab to remove any corrosion.
You can also try using a pair of tweezers re-seat the contacts on your key fob if think they're broken or loose. It is recommended to apply silicone to the back of the key fob prior to you insert the new contacts. Silicone will seal the contacts to keep out water.
Another possibility for a non-functioning key fob is that it has become un-paired with the vehicle. When you hit a key fob it sends the car a message that tells it what you are trying to accomplish. If the key fob is unpaired, it won't recognize the car and not allow you to start the engine.
If you're unable to get your key fob to re-pair with 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 work again. You'll likely have to pay for the service but it's cheaper than purchasing a brand new key fob.
Unresponsive Keys
If the keyboard key stops working, it can be a nightmare. The first step is to make sure that the key isn't blocked by something physical. Dust, hair, and other debris can accumulate over time and obstruct a key's movement or disrupt its circuitry. Try gently getting rid of the key and then clean the area beneath it with a rag and rubbing alcohol. Sometimes, it's all it takes to get your key working again.
If the key isn't working after trying these methods, it could be an issue with your software. Certain keys are linked to specific actions in games and if your key isn't doing what you'd like it to, make sure you check your game settings to make sure that the key is properly assigned to a specific action.
You might also try reinstalling your keyboard drivers to fix the issue. Always update your drivers whenever possible to ensure that your keyboard does not stop working due to outdated or corrupted drivers.
The key could be damaged. There are two circuits that comprise each key switch and over time, these circuits get worn out until they are no longer able to detect when pressed. If this is the case, the best option is to replace the entire keyboard, as it is likely that it will no longer function properly.
If you've gone through all of these fixes, but the keyboard is still not responding you're probably in need of get your laptop or external keyboard checked by a professional. It could be that the membrane covering your keyboard is damaged or that one of the keys are defective.
To find out, you'll need to test the keys on a keyboard tester site. The website will tell you whether the keys are functioning correctly or not. If they are being registered correctly, then it's likely a software problem. https://writeablog.net/planejoseph27/7-things-you-never-knew-about-car-key-repair can then start applying the remaining fixes in order to regain full functionality. You could also try using an external keyboard as a temporary solution until the internal keyboard is repaired or replaced.
Keys that aren't working
Keys that don't function are a huge inconvenience, but they're generally easy to repair. Most of the time the problem is caused by a piece of dirt beneath the key, or simply not connected correctly to the laptop or keyboard. If you're not sure if this is the case, start by cleaning the keys and then using canned air to remove dust or dirt.
It's also possible that the key has become unaligned with the lock. It is possible to fix this issue by hiring a professional. However, it's more likely that the key will need to be replaced. If your car key is electronic and cannot be turned by pressing a metal manual key into the ignition, it's possible that the transponder chip inside has stopped working and you'll have to get a new one programmed.
If your laptop or external keyboard keys seem to not be recording any actions at all, try using a key testing website. This can help you find out if there is any issues with the software or the keyboard itself.
A switch that isn't functioning properly could be the cause of a key not performing as is. You can test if your keyboard is mechanical by looking underneath the keycap to see if any debris is stuck. If you see anything, wash it away using canned air, and then take off the cap. This will let you replace the hooks which connect the retainer to the switch, and hopefully restore functionality to your key.
If you have a keyboard key that does not perform the desired function in just one program, then it's likely that settings for the game's keyboard have mapped the key to perform a different function. Check the keyboard settings and press the key again to see if it's working. If you're still experiencing issues it's best to buy an entirely new keyboard. It can be installed by professionals. This is true, especially in case you play a game which requires a lot more typing.