Buzz
Imagine you're typing the final words of your quarterly report, and suddenly, your computer keyboard gets stuck. Fortunately, there are several simple solutions to clean your keyboard. Stuck buttons are often caused by dust and debris trapped inside the keyboard, and sometimes spills from drinks or other sticky substances. The article below provides solutions addressing all these potential causes.
Steps
Shake the Keyboard
Unplug the keyboard. If you're using a laptop, make sure to turn it off first.
Flip the keyboard upside down. Hold the keyboard (or laptop) at an angle so that it faces downward toward the floor.
Gently shake the keyboard to let debris fall onto the desk or floor.
Brush off dirt from the keyboard. If debris remains on the keyboard, you can sweep it clean.
Check the buttons to see if they are functioning normally again.
Blow out the keyboard
Purchase a can of compressed air. You can find compressed air cans at most electronics stores.
Turn off the computer. If you're using a desktop, unplug the keyboard from the computer.
Gently use the compressed air to blow around and beneath the stuck keys. Avoid tilting the can to prevent liquid from spilling out.
Clean off the dust. If dust or food particles are blown out, sweep them away from the keyboard.
Test the keys. Check if the buttons are no longer stuck.
Clean sticky keys
Wipe off spilled liquid from the keyboard. If you spill water on the keyboard, disconnect the device and clean up the liquid.
Use alcohol to clean if the liquid has dried. Ensure the keyboard is unplugged or the computer is powered off beforehand. If the dried residue is mostly on the key surfaces, you can use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol to wipe it.
Wipe the tops of the keys to ensure the keyboard is no longer sticky.
Use a cotton swab to clean around the edges. Clean around the keys to remove debris between the keycaps and the keyboard.
Check if the keys are no longer stuck. After the alcohol dries, test the keyboard to ensure it functions normally.
Remove keys to clean underneath
Gently pry off the stuck key. Use a flathead screwdriver or a similar tool to carefully lift the key from one of its edges. You can also use your fingernail.
- For laptops (whether PC or Mac), keycaps are held in place by thin plastic clips that act like springs. Each keyboard has a unique key structure, so the removal process varies. Refer to the manual if you're unsure how to remove the keycaps.
- For mechanical keyboards, avoid prying the keys directly. Most come with a key puller to safely remove individual keycaps.
- Do not remove all keys at once, as you might forget their positions. Limit yourself to one or two keys at a time.
Carefully clean inside the keycap and the empty slot on the keyboard. Remove debris or sticky substances from the keycap or the hinge beneath. You can use tweezers or a toothpick.
Use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol to clean the affected area. Ensure the swab is damp but not dripping with alcohol.
Allow the key and keyboard to dry completely. Ensure no liquid, including cleaning alcohol, remains on the keys.
Reattach the key to its original position. Gently press the key down until it clicks into place.
- For laptops, reattach the plastic clips to their anchor points and place the keycap back into the slot you removed it from.
Test the key to see if it’s no longer stuck. If the issue persists, consider taking the keyboard to a computer repair specialist.
Warnings
- Ensure the keyboard is disconnected before starting any cleaning process.
- If the computer is new and under warranty, avoid removing keys yourself and contact the manufacturer first.
What You'll Need
- Compressed air can
- Rubbing alcohol
- Cotton swabs
- Tweezers or toothpicks
- Small flathead screwdriver
