Windows 10: One stubborn key

Mumbai has its wet spell for around 2 months or so where a 21 day period is heavily wet. How much I try to protect my laptop within closed covers, still one of the keys always stop working as somehow moisture seeps in through somewhere. Is there any solution to fix this other than buying an external keyboard?

:)

 

Stubborn keyboard keys

Could laptop memory and heat make the issue worse at times? Here's what I don't understand -- at times the keys are so stubborn I want to throw this laptop out the window. Then at other times, the issue resolves itself around 80% so that it makes the laptop fairly usable.

Here's an example: when I wrote the response to Ed yesterday afternoon, it took me about 15 minutes to type out what should have taken no more than 5 minutes. And then all of a sudden this morning, I wake up to find the stubborn keys are mostly responsive. Even last night, there wasn't total consistency. It was easier to type in my desktop OneNote application than it was in Firefox. Right now as I'm typing this in Firefox, the keyboard is more responsive than at any time yesterday. A few times I will have to keep pressing one of the stubborn keys for 5-10 seconds, but nothing like yesterday when even after 30 seconds or so, I would have to give up.

Could it be a virus or corrupted RAM? Seriously, the keyboard is acting a lot better this morning. I am completely stymied by the lack of consistency in the problem.

P.S. Between last night and this morning, I did not even reboot my laptop.

 

Stubborn keyboard keys

Most likely it's mechanical, if you ever opened a KB like that you would see 3 layers of Mylar printed circuit under the keys, when key pushes on the spot where 3 of traces intersect it makes a contact sending signal to controller and that one to system. It gets worn out and makes contact difficult.

 

Stubborn keyboard keys

Hi there

@LGM

Usually the most difficult part of fixing a laptop (once you've worked out how to start unbolting the case ) !! is to separate the screen CAREFULLY -- it's OK provided you watch for very thin wires and I'd suggest using tweezers and one of those 3rd hands (adjustable thing with loads of crocodile clips). Use a watchmakers lamp or a decent small bright torch --the small Fenix 1000 lumens ones are great -- set it on lowest setting though when working indoors !! and take pics on your phone or make notes just in case you disconnect something.

One of these is brilliant :







Once you've disentangled the screen the keyboard is generally pretty easy to disconnect.

I replaced a GB UK keyboard on an HP envy with an ISL one -- wasn't too hard.

The most difficult thing you'll probably find is sourcing a replacement keyboard !!! -- using a wireless external keyboard is OK at home but if you travel with laptop not a very practical idea.

If you aren't "Engineering" inclined practice on some fiddly bits of junk before taking laptop apart !!! and backup any important data before starting.

Cheers
jimbo