This tutorial will illustrate how to remove a damaged or worn laptop keyboard, and replace it with a new unit. This process can be followed for many typical models, including brands such as Acer, Compaq, Dell, Gateway, HP, Sony, and Toshiba.
We’ll discuss some tips and tricks that you may need with laptops of different designs. Warning: Use of this guide is at your own risk. This is a general guide not specific to any laptop model, therefore your laptop may be different. Performing this repair may void any applicable manufacturer warranties. It is possible to cause serious damage to your machine whilst attempting a repair of this nature, and we can not be responsible in the case of any personal or property damages.
If you do not feel comfortable at any point, seek out professional repair. Unscrew the Keyboard Access Screws For most models, you will need to remove the plastic panel above the keyboard to gain access for removing the keyboard. This is the panel that often has the power button on it.
To do this, there are screws holding it on from the underside. HP is nice in that they usually place a little keyboard icon next to the screws that need to be removed.
In this case the screws are located underneath the battery. If your laptop has no keyboard icons, you may end up removing more screws than necessary. That’s fine, just be sure to make a note of where each screw belongs. We’ve seen a few models that use no screws to hold the plastic keyboard panel on (some Acer and Toshiba models namely). Unlatch the Keyboard Connector Most models connect the keyboard cable to the motherboard by what is known as a ZIF connector. This plastic connector clamps down on the cable and is very fragile. This component is part of the motherboard, and is often near impossible to find for sale on its own, so be careful!
Many models like this one have a connector that slides outwards a few millimeters, and some others have a hinged connector that flips up. A few models have a connector that is included with the keyboard unit and pushes onto a socket on the motherboard (some Apple, Dell, and IBM models for example). We recommend non-experts gently slide the connector out with fingers and not a tool, since the tool can slip and break the connector.
Today I will remove and replace damaged keyboard on a Dell Inspiron 1525 laptop. I’m replacing it because my customer spilled soda and some keys stopped working. First of all, turn off the computer, unplug the power adapter and remove the battery. Remove two screws in the battery compartment. These screws securing the keyboard bezel. Carefully lift up one side of the bezel with a screwdriver. Continue removing the bezel with your fingers.
Be careful, there is a thin ribbon cable connecting the button board to the motherboard. The cable has to stay connected to the motherboard. Turn the bezel over. Make sure the cable is still connected. Remove two screws securing the keyboard. Lift up the keyboard and move it towards the display. Now you can access the cable connector.
Let’s unlock the connector and release the cable. On the picture below you can see the connector in the locked position.
Lift up the left side of the cable retainer with your fingernail. Now the connector is unlocked and the cable can be released.
Remove and replace the damaged keyboard with a new one. The keyboard part number is printed on the back sticker. The Dell part number follows letters CN. In my laptop it was 0NK750. Also, you can read Dell Inspiron 1525. David, My wife has a Dell Inspiron 1521. The “A” key is only intermittently functional at this point (guessing due to over use by my 5 and 7 yr old).
What is the best way to take off the “A” key and see if something has come loose or needs cleaning? Or am I looking at a complete keyboard replacement? You are looking at the complete keyboard replacement. I have exactly the same problem with the “Z” key (had to press 5 times to make it appear on the screen).
You can find a brand new keyboard for Inspiron 1521 for about $15. Anyone able to assist with the problem I posted on 8/31?? My nephew has a Dell Inspiron 1525 that had a beverage spill.immediately turned off, removed battery and turned upside down.have not taken off the keyboard/top yet to inspect for damage. Laptop powers up, but black screen. Does this sound like a Mother Board replacement is needed? I appreciate any help you may have.also, any links on how to change the motherboard if you feel that is what is causing the problem. Hello I have an inspiron 1525 it was sent to dell for repair to where the power cord plugs in.
When returned it was repaired beautifully, unfortunately It returned with no sound from the speakers. The headphone jacks work fine and I currently have some PC speakers hooked into that for sound, but this is a pain if I want sound while away from home. Any ideas or suggestions? I do not want to send it back to Dell for re-repair as it took almost two months last time before I got it back!
Thanks so much! I have a inspiron 1525, i took the screws out of the bottom (hoping to get it apart to clean the fan, but due to 2 screws with stripped heads i cant), anyhow i knocked my screws from where i had them so they all got muddles up and now ive had to guess where the “red” and “blue” screws go (i think i remembered where the shorter screws were but for the longer blue and even longer red screws i cant rememebr (ive put it back to gether for now in the hope it wont fall apart).
I jues want to know if theres anywhere explaining the plan of which screws go where, the service manual didnt seem to mention the different size screws. Dave, I noticed that the connector for the flat ribbon cable.the black piece that must be unlockedis broken. One end of it is missing (i think it is floating around inside the computer) and 2 of the copper connector wires show. Does that connector piece come with a new keyboard? Unfortunately, the black locking clip is a part of the connector on the motherboard. It doesn’t come with the keyboard. Maybe you can insert the keyboard cable into the connector, lock it with the remaining part of the clip and secure with sticky tape?
Hi I have DELL Laptop 1525 T8300, 220 GB hard disk, 4 GB RAM. After the warranty period got over I am finding some problems with this laptop. 1) Tab key stopped working. 2) “Left side Shift” key + A stopped working. 3) Every 5 start of the laptop one will be associated with an annoying beep sound.
4) The cursor automatically starts traversing. Example: all the links on a browser page, all desktop icons and quick launch etc. Is the laptop totally screwed up? I formatted the laptop, no use.
The problem still persist. Will changing the Keyboard solve the problem? I had just found a job after a year and a half unemployed and spilled water in the keyboard! The 4, 5, F J and CTRL keys had failed! I had not yet caught up so I had no funds to send my laptop to Dell. Your instructions were so great I decided to try – what could I lose right? I ordered the recommended keyboard for less than $20.00 and when it arrived I took out my tools and your instructions and DID IT!
Easy as you said.the fear of not being able to do it faded with each step. And here I am using the newly installed keyboard. I had never worked on the interior of any computers and I had no experience. I am another victim of a Dell 1525 L-hinge failure, which puts pressure on the R-hinge, which breaks its way out of the case. I feel this is directly due to Dell’s idea of screwing the 2 L-screws into rubber grommets, instead of metal as on the R-side hinges. So far I have my machine back online with a new lid and bezel, but the 2 so-called grommets had broken in half, causing this mess in the 1st place, and I can’t find any reference to these parts online.
Dell acts as if they never existed, and I am crazy. I can’t find a schematic or part number, so I will have to prowl local repair people, if any exist. I also need the R-bracket for the display, and it is also not listed anywhere. This is an obvious design failure by Dell, and they will do nothing to answer any questions.
I get worried each time I slowly open my laptop, with super-glued grommets. Anyone out there have any ideas?
I need to replace the keyboard on a customers laptop, after I removed the keyboard I found it wasn't connected, I phoned the customer (who can hardly speak English) and he tells me he disconnected it as it goes mad when connected it. However as he disconnected right? I can't work out how to get the ribbon cable back into the socket, it is a while since I have done a replacement keyboard or stripped a laptop down.
What do I need to do here? Shall I remove the plastic clip that is on the motherboard keyboard connector?
Probably 90% of my work is laptop repair. I would suggest you get your hands on some old laptops and learn. Always look for the disassembly manual online. Doing so will save you time, left over screws, and little broken plastic parts.
Get a pair of these beauties, they really help 3. Organize your parts and screws as they come out, I use this: As far as ZIF connectors go, there are a few varieties, and you should learn how to use each without breaking them. There are also LIF (Low insertion force) connectors, mostly on older machines.
Install Laptop Keyboard Ribbon Cable Clip
I recently purchased a used Acer laptop and after installing an SSD the keyboard does not work anymore. I followed this thread in order to replace the harddrive and everything seems connected: I had to disconnect the ribbon cables to the power button, battery, touchpad and keyboard in order to get at the HDD so I assume I messed something up somewhere. When I opened up the laptop the keyboard ribbon disconnected without me touching the clips so it seems like it was loose in the first place. I've tried to put the ribbon back in and clip it on but keyboard still doesn't work. Everything else works except the keyboard. Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks.
EDIT: I finally got it connected properly but a couple of keys still aren't working. Does that mean it still isn't fully connected or is that from damaging the ribbon. Some possibilities: You put the ribbon cable back in the connector backwards. This is possible if the keyboard cable doesn't have a keyed connector, or maybe no connector at all. You may have damaged the cable when you took the laptop apart. Also, you could have damaged the keyboard somehow.
Install Laptop Keyboard Ribbon Lock
If it's just a case of putting the cable in backwards, you'll just need to partially disassemble the laptop, flip the cable over and reconnect it. If the cable is damaged, repair depends on whether or not the cable can be disconnected from the keyboard. If it can, you'll need to get a new cable, which could be hard to find. Finally, you can try replacing the keyboard. They're usually not hard to find on eBay. EDIT: One last possibility: You may have damaged the motherboard. This is unlikely, but definitely possible.
Install Laptop Keyboard Ribbon Tab Clip Repair
If so, you'll need to get a new motherboard.
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