How to Fix Faulty Key Repairs
A damaged key fob could ruin your day. Luckily, repairing the issue is simple with the right tools and procedures.
Always make sure to ground yourself prior to attempting any repairs to remove static electricity. It takes just about a minute and is a good habit when working with electronics.
Look for car keying repair caught under the key that is damaged. Breadcrumbs and other pieces of debris often get stuck under keys, preventing them from advancing properly.
Broken Car Keys
Car keys are something we ignore until they stop or break working at the most inconvenient times. If you're trying to open the trunk of your car to get groceries, opening your doors to go out, or getting your car started and heading off to work, keys for cars can be a nightmare when they do not work.
Over time, keys to automobiles may wear out. They may be damaged from being dropped or thrown around and the internal components could wear out to the point that they don't function correctly anymore. This is a huge issue since it means you won't be able to use your vehicle without a spare key or have your mechanic fix the problem.
Fortunately, the majority of broken car keys can be replaced or repaired easily. If the key has been damaged inside the lock or ignition you can easily remove the remaining piece of the key by using pliers or 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.
If the key to your car is broken in half, a quick and cost-effective solution is to glue the two pieces back together. This can be a bit tricky because you need to ensure that the pieces are correctly aligned, but the results can be very effective. It's a good idea to keep a pair of scissors and a roll tape handy just in case you have to alter the alignment to a degree.
Another option to repair temporarily a broken car key is to replace the battery inside the key fob. If your car's key fob won't turn on and you don't have a replacement, this is the best solution. You can do this depending on the type and model of your car by taking off the fob, and then opening it with a screwdriver.
If the issue is severe such as if your key fob isn't functioning or is unresponsive, you'll need to replace it. This is something you can do at a dealership, but it's usually cheaper to hire an auto locksmith to visit your location and perform the needed repairs or replace the key fob entirely.
Broken Key Fobs
As with all electronic devices car key fobs are no exception to malfunction. When they stop working, they are not difficult to repair. The first thing you'll have to do is figure out what the issue is.
Most of the time, when the key fob ceases to function, it's because the battery is dead. The simplest and most economical solution is to replace the battery. You can do this at home.
If changing the battery doesn't work, try taking it apart and cleaning it. Your fob has a circuit board within it that houses a variety of "contact pads" for each button you can press on the fob (lock buttons, trunk buttons, etc). The contact pads are made of rubber and coated in an electricity conducting film that will eventually wear away over time. With a cotton swab, and some rubbing alcohol, you can scrub the contacts in your key fob to get rid of any corrosion that may be hindering their function.
If you suspect that your contacts are loose or broken You can try using 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 before inserting the new contacts. Silicone can help seal the contacts and keep water out.
A key fob that's not working could be because it was not connected to the vehicle. When you push the key fob button it sends a message to the car, which tells it what it's trying to do. If the key fob is not connected it will not recognize the vehicle, and it will no longer allow you to start your engine.
It's time to contact a locksmith or a dealership technician if you can't get the key fob that you want to pair with your vehicle. They'll have the tools to reprogram the key fob and get it functioning again. It's likely that you'll need to pay for the service but it's much less than purchasing a brand new key fob.
Unresponsive Keys
It's a nightmare when the key on your computer ceases to function. First, make sure the key isn’t blocked by anything. Dust, hair and other debris could build up over time and hinder the key's movement or cause interference to its circuitry. Try gently taking your key off and cleaning it by using a rag soaked with rubbing alcohol. Sometimes, this is all it takes to get your key working again.
If the key doesn't work, it's possible that it's an issue with your software. If your key doesn't do what you expected, look at the settings of your game to make sure that it is correctly mapped.
You could also try reinstalling the drivers for your keyboard to fix the issue. It is recommended to update your drivers whenever you can to ensure that your keyboard does not stop working due to corrupted or outdated drivers.
The key could be damaged. Every key switch is comprised of two circuits, and they may wear out in time to the point that they no longer register a press. If this happens the best choice is to replace the entire keyboard as it is likely that it will no longer work properly.
If you've gone through all of these fixes, but the key still isn't responding you're probably in need of get your laptop or external keyboard inspected by a professional. It could be that the membrane that covers your keyboard is damaged or one of the keys are damaged.
To determine this you'll have to test the keys with a keyboard tester site. The website will let you know whether the keys are functioning correctly or not. If they're registered correctly being registered correctly, then it's likely a software problem. The other solutions can be applied to restore full functionality. You can also use an external keyboard until the internal keyboard is repaired or replaced.
Keys that aren't working
Keys that aren't working can be an absolute problem, but fortunately, they're generally simple to repair. A malfunctioning key could be caused by a small piece of dirt that has accumulated under the button or it could simply not be properly connected to your laptop or keyboard. If you're not sure you have a problem, wash the keys with canned air and blow out any dirt or dust.
The key may have become unbalanced. It's possible to fix this problem with an expert. However, it is more likely that the key needs to be replaced. If your car key is electronic and cannot be turned by turning a manual metal key into the ignition, it's possible that the transponder chip inside has stopped working, and you'll have to get an entirely new key programmed.
If your external keyboard or laptop keys seem to not be registering any action in any way, you could try the key test site. This will allow you to determine if the keyboard malfunctioning or if software is causing interference.
A switch that isn't working correctly can also be the reason for a key not performing as is. If you have a mechanical keyboard, you can easily check this by looking under the keycap and seeing whether there's any debris that has accumulated on it. If you see anything, wash it away by using canned air. Then remove the cap. This will let you replace the hooks that connect the retainer and switch and, hopefully, restore functionality to your key.
If the key on your keyboard does not perform the desired function only in one program, then it's likely that the settings for the game's keyboard have assigned the key to perform a different function. Examine the settings on your keyboard and then try pressing the key once more to see whether it's functioning as intended. If not, it's best to buy a new keyboard and install it by an experienced. This is especially true when you play a sport that requires a lot of typing.