Keyboard failure – Symptoms and Troubleshooting

The keyboard is a fairly standardized component and not prone to many problems. Repair is not really practical, replacement is typically the best option. Some of the symptoms and troubleshooting procedures are outlined below:

Symptom

Remedy

The key repeats too fast	•	The character repeat rate or delay is set too fast. Go to the
(or slow)		Windows control panel and click on "Keyboard" to
		change the settings.
When one letter is typed
, it types several

The PC beeps or gives	a	•	Turn off the PC and check that the keyboard connector is
"Keyboard Error"			securely plugged into the back of the PC.
message		•	Make sure the keyboard is not plugged into the mouse
			port.
		•	If you are using a USB keyboard, make sure USB is
			enabled in BIOS and in Windows.
		•	Check that none of the keys are stuck or being held down.

The	keys	are	sticking	•	Turn the keyboard upside down and shake it vigorously
					to dislodge any dust or debris.
				•	Try removing the key by using a paper clip as a lever to
					pop it off. Check for debris or other cause of sticking,
					clean with a cotton swab.
				•	With the key off, make sure any spring or mechanical
					parts are properly positioned to support the key.

Keyboard Cleaning

1.  Switch off the computer and unplug the keyboard.
2. There is a removable cover on the bottom of the keyboard. open all the screws and remove the cover of keyboard.
3. Take an air blower of vacuum cleaner and blow the air on it. this will remove all the dust from the keyboard.
4. Now take one of the cotton buds and put a couple of drops of the cleaning fluid on it, use the cotton bud to clean the sides of the keys as seen in figure. 
5. After cleaning the sides of the keys take your lint free cloth and dampen it with your cleaning fluid (don't put the liquid directly on the keyboard), give the surface of the keyboard a goodwipe over using the cloth to trace the contours of the keys as shown in figure. When you have finished give the keyboard a wipe over with the dry cloth/duster, you should now have a nice clean keyboard, to clean it more thoroughly follow the guide below. 
6. Carefully pry each key loose with a small screwdriver as shown in the figure and place all these keys in to a container. open wider keys properly which may have guide wires like space bar,enter, caps lock and shift keys. Now clean every key with a dishwasher or rubbing alcohol with a soft cloth.
7.  Now clean the rubber components and the plastic cover of keyboard.
8. Dry completely all the keys, rubber and plastic covers.
9. Properly fit all the keys to the right place. you can take the help of the paper map. cover them and tighten the screws.Replacing a Keyboard • If the keyboard uses a PS/2 connector or the older large 5 pin connector turn off the PC first. If the keyboard has a USB connector, it may besafely connected while the PC is powered on.  If the keyboard connector does not match the connector type on the PC adapters are available for connecting the same.

PCs with PS/2 connections will usually have two ports. One port is for the mouse and the other is for the keyboard. Look for a small icon near the ports to identify which is which. You may also inspect the motherboard for a label that identifies the port. If all else fails, take a guess and start the PC, if it beeps, won't start or otherwise behaves strangely, then turn it off and interchange the wires.