Learn More About Key Repairs While Working From The Comfort Of Your Home
How to Fix Faulty Key Repairs
A damaged key fob can ruin your entire day. With the right tools and directions, it's easy to solve these issues.
Always ground yourself before attempting repairs to eliminate static electricity. It takes only a few seconds and is a good way to practice when working with electronics.
Check for any debris that has gotten caught beneath the key you are trying to replace. Breadcrumbs and other bits of food often get stuck underneath keys, preventing them from advancing properly.
Broken Car Keys
Car keys are something we take for granted, until they fail or stop working at the most uncomfortable times. If your car keys do not work, it can be a hassle to open your trunk to get groceries, unlock your doors to go somewhere, or start your engine to go to work.
Over time, keys to cars can become worn out. They can be damaged by being thrown around or dropped, and the internal components can wear out to the point that they don't function correctly anymore. This is a major issue because it means that you aren't able to drive without a spare key or your mechanic fix the problem.
Fortunately, the majority of broken keys for cars can be repaired or replaced easily. If your key has been broken in your lock or ignition, you can sometimes remove the remaining portion of the key with pliers or a coated wire. Additionally, a locksmith could offer you a set of special tools designed to slide in alongside the key and apply a pincer-like grip on the broken pieces to securely remove them.
Super glue can be used to fix a damaged car key. It's a simple and simple fix. It can be difficult to get the pieces aligned properly, but it can yield excellent results. It's 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.
Another way to temporarily repair damaged car keys is to replace the battery inside the key fob. If your car's key fob won't turn on and you don't have an alternative then this is the ideal solution. You can do this depending on the type and model of your car by removing the fob, and then opening it using an screwdriver.
If the problem is more severe for instance, the key fob is totally inactive or does not turn on at all, you will need to get it replaced. This is something you can do at a dealer 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 completely.
Broken Key Fobs
Car key fobs are not durable, and like all electronic devices they can be susceptible to malfunctions at some time. If they stop working, they are not difficult to repair. The first thing you'll have to determine is the cause of the issue.
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 is something you can do at home.
If replacing the battery doesn't work, take it apart and cleaning it. The circuit board on 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 begins to fade over time. You can clean your contacts on your key fob using the use of rubbing alcohol and a cotton swab to get rid of any corrosion.
You can also try using a pair of tweezers to re-seat the contacts on your key fob if suspect that they are damaged or loose. If you do this, however, it is a good idea to use some silicone on the back of your key fob prior to inserting the new contacts. broken key repair will seal the contacts to keep out water.
A key fob not working could be due to the fact that it is not paired with the vehicle. When you press a key fob, it sends the car a signal that informs it of what you are trying to do. If the key fob is disconnected, it won't be able to recognize the car and not allow you to start the engine.
If you can't get your key fob to re-pair to your car, it's time to call in an expert locksmith or dealer technician. They'll have the tools needed to reprogram the fob and make it work. It's likely that you'll need to pay for the service but it will be much cheaper than buying a brand new key fob.
Unresponsive Keys
It can be a nightmare when the key on your computer ceases to function. First, make sure that the key isn’t blocked by any obstruction. Hair, dust and other particles can accumulate over time and block the key's movement or interfere with its circuitry. Try gently taking the key off and cleaning the area under it with a rag or rubbing alcohol. This is sometimes all that's required to get your key working again.
If the key doesn't work, it's possible there's a problem with your software. Certain keys are mapped to specific actions in games If your key isn't working as you'd like it to, check your game settings to make sure that the key is correctly associated with the game.
You might also try reinstalling the drivers for your keyboard to resolve the problem. Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause your keyboard to cease working, so you should always keep them up to date whenever possible.
Another possibility is that the key is broken. There are two circuits that comprise each key switch, and over time, these circuits wear down until they are no longer able to detect when the key is pressed. If this is the case, the best option is to replace the entire keyboard, as it is likely that it will no longer perform as it should.
If you've tried all of these fixes, but the key still isn't responding then it's time to have your laptop or external keyboard checked by a professional. It could be that the membrane covering the keyboard is damaged or that one of the keys is defective.
You can test the keys using a keyboard tester. The website will tell you whether the keys are registered correctly or not. If they're not being registered correctly, then it's likely to be a software issue. The other solutions 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 don't function are an absolute problem, but fortunately, they're usually fairly easy to fix. The majority of the time, a malfunctioning key is caused by a piece or dirt beneath the key, or just not being connected properly to the keyboard or laptop. If you're not sure if this is the case, start by cleaning the keys and then using canned air to eliminate dust or dirt.
The key could have become unbalanced. This is another 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 that cannot be turned using a metal key, the transponder chip may have stopped working. You'll need to get a new key programmed.
If your laptop or external keyboard keys aren't recording any actions in any way, you could try a key test website. This will allow you to determine if the keyboard malfunctioning or if software is causing interference.
A switch that isn't functioning properly could also be the reason for a key not performing as is. If you have a mechanical keyboard it is easy to check this by looking under the keycap and observing whether there's any debris stuck to it. If you find something, clean it using canned air, and then take off the cap. This will allow you to replace the hooks that connect the retainer to the switch and hopefully restore functionality to the key.
If you have a keyboard key that does not perform the desired function in only one program, then it's likely that keyboard settings of the game have assigned the key to a different action. Check the settings for your keyboard and press the key once more to verify if it's working. If it's not, it's best to buy a new keyboard and install it by a professional. This is especially true if you play a game that requires a lot of typing.