Key stuck (possibly not physically?)

[quinncollard]

My cat is fond of walking across my laptop keyboard, and the last time she did it she got my P key stuck. Searching tells me to use canned air and clean under the key with rubbing alcohol, and I did both those things, but it's still happening. I don't think there's actually something stuck under the key. I think something got short-circuited somehow. Any ideas?

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... do you have a soft key keyboard or a mechanical switch keyboard... price will tell the difference... LOL... but basically a soft keyboard is very easy to clean and disassemble...

1) Take photo of the keys and placement of them...
2) Fip over, face down... and start removing all the Philips head screw from it... Take note to placement of longer or shorter screw lengths...
3) Remove the plastic back of it off...

4) Take another photo of your disassembly... you will see a silicon membrane... this is the spring return Key mechanism and electrical contacts for your keys. (Please Post picture for us too enjoy?)

5) Clean all Food, debris and cat hair from the interior... Sometimes I use a vacuume, bleach cleaner and tap water... B /
6) Remove excess water drops...let the parts AIR dry a day or two?

7) Now time to put together... I suggest getting the keyboard front plastic part... somehow on a stand? blocks of foam or wood? you want the keys flat to the interior... makes assembly easier. B /
8) Get your keys in proper position... and place on the stand... so the membrane will not have the keys pressing on it... flat fit/alignment B )

9) Make sure USB circuit board and cable strain relief is seated properly...
10) Align and place the plastic keyboard back into place,
11) Replace screws... in proper place taking note of longer or shorter screw placement.

 

[quinncollard]

This is on a laptop. It's not a separate keyboard.

I also wanted to mention that when I remove the keycap and press down on it myself, the key goes down and comes back up like normal. It's not actually stuck pressed down.

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... 1) Chances are you have a soft switch key/membrane keyboard... and yes is much harder to disassemble... B / and hair/food/debris is in the way of electrical contact? B / do a vacuume, while moving the keys might help?
2) otherwise you could need a professional disassembly and cleaning of it? B /
3) or if un repairable... buy a USB one to plug in... B /
4) Order a factory replacement or used EBAY part and have the Keyboard replaced with a local company or service/repair center.

 

[quinncollard]

I don't think vacuuming would do anything more than the canned air did.

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... My experience and procedures in the maintenance field, is to not ever push a problem deeper into the system or the mechanical device... You want to remove the problem item... we will Vacuum, dismantle, Clean, and remove the problems introduced from the operating environment... Canned or compressor Air is not a Professional solution with these types of items.