5 Key Repairs Lessons From The Pros
How to Fix Faulty Key Repairs
A malfunctioning key fob could ruin your entire day. With the right tools and instructions, it's easy to solve these issues.
Before attempting any repairs, you must always ground yourself to remove static electricity. It takes only a second and is a good practice when working with electronics in general.
Check for any debris underneath the bad key. Breadcrumbs and other bits of food often get stuck underneath keys, which prevents them from being pushed in properly.
Broken Car Keys
Car keys are easy to overlook until they fail or stop working at the most difficult times. If your car keys don't work, it could be a hassle to open your trunk in order to grab groceries, open your doors to go somewhere, or even start your engine to go to work.
Over time, car keys be subjected to many wear and wear and tear. The impact of knocking or dropping them could cause damage, and the internal parts can become worn out to the point where they no longer work. This is a serious problem that will mean you'll be unable use your vehicle until you have an extra key or your mechanic fixes the problem.
The majority of car keys that are damaged can be easily repaired or replaced. If the key is damaged in the lock or ignition, you may sometimes remove the remaining piece of the key using pliers or a wire coated with. A locksmith can also supply you with special removal tools designed to slide along the key and grip the broken pieces in a pincer-like manner.
If the car key is broken in half, a quick and affordable fix is to super glue the two pieces back together. This is a little difficult as you must make sure that the pieces are properly aligned, but the result can be very effective. It's a good idea to keep a pair of scissors and a roll tape in case you need to alter the alignment a little.
Replace the battery in your car key fob in order to repair a broken key. If your car's key fob won't turn on and you don't yet have a replacement, this is the best solution. Based on key repair for car of vehicle, you can often do this by removing the key fob and then opening it with a screwdriver or a small tool.
If the issue is more serious for instance, your key fob becomes totally inactive or does not switch on at all, you'll require replacement. You can do this at the dealer, but an auto locksmith is likely to be cheaper. They will visit you and make the needed repairs or even replace the key fob.
Broken Key Fobs
Car key fobs aren't durable, and like all electronic devices is susceptible to issues at some point. Fortunately, they're not that difficult to repair when they cease to function. You'll first need to determine the cause.
Most of the time when the key fob stops working, it's because the battery is dead. Replacing the battery is the easiest and most affordable solution, and you can do at home.
If cleaning the fob isn't working you can remove it. The circuit board of your fob contains "contact pads" that correspond to each button on the fob. (Lock buttons trunk buttons, lock buttons, etc.) These contact pads are rubber-like and coated in an electricity conducting film that begins to wear off over time. With a cotton swab, and some rubbing alcohol, you can scrub the contacts of your key fob to remove any corrosion that may be hindering their function.
If you suspect that the contacts are loose or broken You can try using a pair of tweezers. It is best 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 reason for a malfunctioning key fob is that it is no longer paired with the vehicle. When you press the button on a key fob, it transmits a code to the car that tells it what it's trying to do. If the key fob is not paired, it will no longer recognize the vehicle and will no longer allow you to start the engine.
It's time to contact a locksmith or a dealership technician if you are unable to get the key fob to connect with your car. They'll have the tools to reprogram the key fob and get it functioning again. It's likely that you'll have to pay for the service, but it's much less than purchasing a new key fob.
Keys that aren't responsive
It's a nightmare when the key on your computer fails to function. The first step is to make sure that the key isn't blocked by anything physical. Over time dust, hair, and other particles can build up and interfere with the circuitry of the key. Try gently removing your key and clean it up using a rag that has been soaked in ruby alcohol. Sometimes, it's all it takes to make your key work again.
If the key does not work after trying all these options, it could be an issue with your software. If your key doesn't do what you expect, check the settings of your game to make sure that it is correctly assigned.
You may also try reinstalling the drivers for your keyboard to fix the problem. Incorrect or outdated drivers could cause your keyboard to cease functioning, which is why you should always keep them up to date whenever you can.
Another possibility is that the key may be damaged. There are two circuits in each key switch, and over time, these circuits wear down to the point that they are no longer able to detect when they are pressed. If this is the situation it is recommended to replace the keyboard since the keyboard will not perform as it should.
If you've gone through all of these fixes and 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 that covers your keyboard is damaged, or 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 being registered correctly, then it's likely a software issue. You can then begin applying the fixes you have made to restore full functionality. You can also use an external keyboard until your internal keyboard is repaired or replaced.
Keys That Don't Work
It's a pain when keys stop working but they're generally simple to fix. A malfunctioning key can be caused by a piece or grime under the button or it could simply not be connected properly to your keyboard or laptop. If you're unsure whether this is the case, start by cleaning the keys and then using canned air to remove dust or dirt.
It's possible that the key is unaligned with the lock. This is a different issue that can be solved by an expert, but it is more likely to require replacement of the key. If you have an electronic key and it can't be turned with metal keys, the transponder chip may have stopped working. You'll need a new key to be programmed.
If your external keyboard or laptop keys seem to not be not registering any action in any way, you could try a key testing website. This will help you figure out if there's issues with the software or the keyboard itself.
A switch that isn't functioning correctly can also be the cause of keys not working as expected. You can test if your keyboard is mechanical by looking underneath the keycap to determine if any debris is stuck. If you spot anything, clean it out using canned air, and then remove the keycap. This will let you replace the hooks that connect the retainer to the switch and hopefully restore functionality to the key.
If a key on your keyboard does not perform the desired function in only one program, then it is likely that the settings for the game's keyboard have assigned the key to a different action. Check the keyboard settings and press the key again to verify 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 if you play a game which requires a lot more typing.