How to Fix Faulty Key Repairs
A damaged key fob can throw off your whole day. Luckily, repairing these issues is easy with the right tools and procedures.
Before attempting any repairs, you must always make sure you ground yourself to eliminate static electricity. It takes only a few seconds and is a good way to practice for working with electronic devices.
Look for view caught underneath the bad key. Breadcrumbs and other bits of food often get stuck underneath keys, preventing them from being pushed in properly.
Broken Car Keys
It's easy to take car keys for granted until they stop working or break at the worst possible time. If your car keys don't work, it could be a hassle to open your trunk to buy groceries, unlock your doors to get somewhere, or start your engine in order to get to work.
Over time, car keys can be subject to the effects of wear and tear. Dropping or knocking them could cause damage and the internal parts can wear out to the point that they cease to function. This is a big problem since it means you can't use your car without an extra key or your mechanic fix the issue.
The majority of car keys that are damaged can be easily repaired or replaced. If your key is just broken off in your lock or ignition, you can sometimes remove the remaining portion of the key with pliers or a wire coated with. Alternatively, a locksmith can offer you the necessary removal tools that are designed to slide into the key and place an apex-like grip to the broken pieces to safely remove them.
If the car key has been broken in half, an easy and cost-effective solution is to super glue the two pieces back together. This is tricky because you need to make sure that the pieces are aligned, but the end result can be very efficient. Keep a pair of scissors and a roll of tape at hand in case you need to adjust the alignment.
Another way to temporarily repair a broken car key is to replace the battery in the key fob. If your car's key fob won't turn on and you don't have an alternative, this is the best solution. Based on the model of car, you can often do this by removing the key fob and then opening it using a screwdriver or small tool.
If the issue is more serious, such as your key fob becomes completely unresponsive or doesn't switch on at all, you'll have to replace it. This can be done at the dealership, but an auto locksmith will usually be more affordable. They will visit you and make the necessary repairs or even replace the key fob.
Broken Key Fobs
Car key fobs aren't indestructible, and like all electronic devices they can be susceptible to malfunctions at some time. However, they're not that difficult to fix if they do stop working. The first thing to determine is what's wrong.
The majority of the time, when a key fob stops working it's because the battery is dead. The simplest and most economical option is to replace the battery. It's possible to do this at your home.
If cleaning the fob is not working, you can take it apart. The circuit board of the fob is comprised of "contact pads" that correspond to each button on the fob. (Lock buttons trunk buttons, lock buttons, etc.) These contact pads are rubber-like and are coated in an electrically conducting film that starts to fade over time. You can clean your key fob contacts with cotton swab to remove any corrosion.
If you suspect that your contacts are damaged or loose If you suspect that the contacts are damaged or loose, you can use the tweezers in a pair. If you do this, it is a good idea to use some silicone on the back of your key fob prior inserting the new contacts. Silicone can help seal the contacts and keep out water.
A key fob that's not working could be because it was not connected to the vehicle. When you press a key fob, it sends the car a message that informs it of what you're trying to accomplish. If the key fob is not paired, it will no longer recognize the vehicle, and will not allow you to start your engine.
If you're unable to get your key fob back to be paired with the vehicle, it's likely 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 be charged a small fee for the service, but it's much cheaper than purchasing the new key fob.
Keys that aren't responsive
If a key on your keyboard ceases to function, it can be an absolute nightmare. The first step is to ensure that the key isn't being blocked by something physical. Over time dust, hair, and other particles can build up and disrupt the circuitry of the key. Try gently taking the key off and cleaning the area underneath it using a rag and rubbing alcohol. Sometimes, this is all you need to do to make your key work again.
If the key still doesn't work, it's possible that it's a problem with your software. If your key doesn't do what you expected, look at the settings of your game to ensure that it's properly and properly mapped.
You can also try reinstalling the drivers for your keyboard to fix the issue. Incorrect or outdated drivers could cause your keyboard to stop functioning, which is why you should always keep them updated whenever possible.
The key may be broken. 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 the key is pressed. If this is the case the best solution is to replace the entire keyboard, as it's likely to cease to work properly.
If you've tried all of these fixes, but the key still isn't responding then it's time to get your laptop or external keyboard examined by an expert. It could be that the membrane that covers your keyboard is damaged, or that one of the keys are damaged.
You can test the keys with a keyboard tester. The website will tell you whether the keys are functioning correctly or not. If they're registered correctly in the latter, it's most likely to be a software issue. The other fixes can be applied to restore full functionality. You could also use an external keyboard until your internal keyboard is repaired or replaced.
Keys That Don't Work
Keys that aren't working can be an enormous pain, but fortunately, they're generally easy to repair. A malfunctioning key could be caused by a piece of dirt under the button, or it could simply not be connected properly to your keyboard or laptop. If you're not sure you have a problem, wash the keys with canned air and blow out any dust or dirt.
It's possible that the key has become unaligned with the lock. 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 cannot be changed by turning a metal key manually into the ignition, it's likely the transponder chip inside has stopped working and you'll need to have an entirely new key programmed.
If your laptop keyboard or external keyboard keys seem to not be not registering any action at all, try using a key test website. This will help you figure out if there's software interference or problems with the keyboard itself.
A switch that's not functioning properly could also be the reason for the key not functioning as is. If you own a mechanical keyboard, you can easily examine this by looking beneath the keycap to see whether there's any debris that has accumulated on it. If you find anything, make use of canned air to remove it, then take off the cap. This will let you replace the hooks that connect the retainer to the switch, and hopefully restore functionality to the key.
If a specific key on your keyboard only fails to perform its expected function in a particular application, it's likely that the key is assigned to a different action by the game's keyboard settings. Check the settings for your keyboard and press the key again to see if it's functioning. If you're still having problems, it is best to purchase an entirely new keyboard. It can be put in place by a professional. This is especially true when you play a sport which requires a lot more typing.