How to Fix Keyboard Buttons That Are Stuck

This article shows you how to clean the keyboard to fix the stuck key. The keys are often stuck due to wet or dusty; Cleaning the keyboard will help you fix this problem. If the keys can still be pressed normally but are not responding on the computer, you can fix it by updating or reinstalling the keyboard or driver.

Table of Contents

Clean the keyboard

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Prepare the necessary tools. To properly clean your keyboard, you will need the following tools:

Pneumatic
Isopropyl Alcohol
Clean towel
Cotton swab (optional)
Toothpick
Flat head screwdriver
Plastic bag
Key remover (optional, mechanical keyboard only; you can also floss)
Keyboard Lubricants

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Disconnect the keyboard from the power source. If you’re using a laptop, turn it off, unplug it, and remove the battery (if possible). If using a detachable keyboard, simply unplug the keyboard and/or remove the battery.

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Spray compressed air on the keyboard. Use compressed air to blow debris and dirt out of the crevices of the keyboard and keyboard tray.

Spraying compressed air around the keyboard is necessary even if only a few keys are stuck; Here’s how to avoid key jams later.

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Use toothpicks to pick up any remaining objects. If you see any objects (such as debris) near or below the keyboard, you’ll use a toothpick to pry the object out.

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Wipe the keyboard with isopropyl alcohol. Spray a little isopropyl alcohol on a clean cloth, and then wipe the surface of the keyboard from left to right. Here’s how to clean stains around the keys. ^{[1] X Research Source}

If isopropyl alcohol is not available, you can use water; however, you should remember to dry the keyboard before use if this method is applied.
If the computer has a UV coating or similar effect, you should not use isopropyl alcohol to avoid peeling the coating. Use warm water.

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Check the keyboard. Try repeatedly pressing the stuck key. If the key is no longer stuck, you can stop the operation here; if not, continue with the rest of this method.

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Take a picture of the keyboard. Before removing any key, you should take a picture of the entire keyboard to see where the keys are.

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Remove the stuck key from the keyboard. If you’re using a mechanical keyboard (such as a desktop keyboard), you’ll need a key remover (if available); if not, you can wrap the floss underneath the key and gently pull the key out. You can also use a flathead screwdriver to remove the key.

If you’re on a laptop, see your laptop’s manual or online documentation for how to remove the key (in most cases, you’ll need to pry the key from a certain point to avoid breaking the hinges).
If you have a MacBook, you can remove the key by pry from the top.
Most of the dirt is usually in the alphanumeric keys. Other keys are less dirty and also difficult to attach once removed, especially the spacebar. ^{[2] X Research Source}

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Clean underneath the key. Use compressed air to remove dirt and use a cotton swab or towel soaked in isopropyl alcohol to clean stains and stains.

For laptop keyboards and other keyboards with fragile parts, you only need to use a cotton swab to gently clean.

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Wash and dry the keyboard. If the insides of the keys are discolored or dirty, put them in the basket to wash with water or scrub in a bucket of soapy water. Dry the keys on a paper towel.

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Lubricate the keys of the mechanical keyboard. If you’re using a mechanical keyboard, press down on the jammed key’s spring and apply a drop of lubricant to the side wall of the key, then release your hand and press the spring several times so the lubricant adheres to the spring.

Make sure the lubricant you use is keyboard-specific or special plastics. The use of a common lubricant such as WD-40 can damage the keyboard.
This step is only necessary when the spring of the mechanical keyboard is still sticky after cleaning.

Hardware and software troubleshooting

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Make sure the keyboard is properly connected. To avoid software problems, your keyboard should be connected directly to the computer rather than through the USB port. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

If the keyboard uses batteries, be sure to charge it (or replace it with a new one).
Skip this step if you have a laptop.

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Update the keyboard driver . In most cases, keyboard problems can arise because drivers or software are not up to date. The easiest way to make sure the driver is up to date is to use your computer’s update utility:

On Windows – Open Start , click the Settings gear, click Update & Security, click Windows Update , select Check for updates and Install existing updates.
On Mac – Open the Apple menu , click App Store… , select the Updates tab, and click UPDATE ALL if available.
If you use a mechanical keyboard, another way to update your keyboard’s drivers is to visit the keyboard manufacturer’s website, find your keyboard model, and download the driver. You can download the keyboard driver file and double click to open it.

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Reinstall the keyboard. The easiest way to do this is to turn off the computer, unplug the keyboard, then reconnect and restart the computer. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Skip this step if you have a laptop.
You can also reinstall the Bluetooth keyboard by removing the keyboard from the Bluetooth menu and reconnecting it to the computer.

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Identify the program that has problems with the keyboard. If you notice the keyboard doesn’t work when using certain programs (such as a web browser or Microsoft Word), make a note of that.

If one or more keys do not work on all computer programs, you should skip this step and the next.

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Program update crashes. This doesn’t always fix the keyboard problem, but if the program isn’t up to date, it’s also helpful to update it.

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Fix the electrical connection inside the laptop. If some of the laptop’s keys don’t respond when pressed, it’s possible that the internal electrical connection has become loose. If you do not have a laptop manual or are not confident with disassembling the laptop yourself, you should consult a technical center.

Advice

Using coffee filter paper instead of paper towels to dry the keys will prevent small pieces of paper from sticking to the keyboard.
If you spill water on the keyboard, you should immediately disconnect the power and turn the keyboard upside down. Use a dry cloth to wipe off the water as much as possible and let it dry overnight, then clean the keyboard according to the instructions above. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

Warning

Do not use cleaning solutions or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide.
Avoid putting liquids directly on the keyboard; Instead, you should use a towel or cotton swab soaked in water. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Steps

Clean the keyboard

Hardware and software troubleshooting

Advice

Warning

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