Introduction: Fix a Keyboard Key
I found a great keyboard in our junk pile, a Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard. It has a comfy layout, but there was just one problem. The N key wasn't too responsive. You had to really bang on it to get it to register.
Naturally, this wasn't going to work for regular typing, but the fix for it was easy. Here's how to do it.
Step 1: Pop Out the Key
Use a flathead screwdriver to get the key out. Just get the tip of the screwdriver under the key and push down on the other side. With a bit of leverage, the key will pop right out.
Step 2: Get a Piece of a Straw
Cut off a little more than an inch of a clean plastic straw.
Step 3: Fold and Insert
Fold the straw in half lengthwise and insert it into the bottom of the key. It should now be sticking out quite a bit.
Step 4: Trim to Fit
Cut off the straw so that a few millimeters are sticking out. You now have an enhanced key that sticks out more and will be better at engaging the button inside the keyboard.
Step 5: Put Key Back in the Keyboard
On most keyboards, this is just a matter of placing the key in the right place and pushing down. You'll know when you get it right.
Test out the button and see if it's responsive now. If it's working, but it feels a little stiff, then pop the key back out, trim a tiny bit more of the straw off, and put it back in.
Done!
1 Person Made This Project!
- JohnC354 made it!
40 Comments
11 months ago on Step 5
Thank you very much my 2 months old keyboard is fixed now because of you!
12 years ago on Introduction
I can do that! Nice and easy!
Reply 2 years ago
How can l fix my Dell keyboard it is not working when I opened it I use tester to test Eve the whispower in the keyboard the worse power in it so why it is not working
Question 3 years ago on Step 2
In this age of no straws, what material should I use? I did pop the hyphen key out nicely and cleaned it and the surface below it nicely, but key still doesn't print.
Question 4 years ago on Step 3
Ok, so I tried doing it but the problem is that under the key it is flat so I can't just insert it.
4 years ago on Step 5
Thank you worked great! I just fixed the v key on my old keyboard now I don't have to get new one.
4 years ago
Would this work with a laptop keyboard?
Reply 4 years ago
Probably not. There's a lot less movement there.
5 years ago
EEW!! You have one of those split keyboards!
6 years ago
AWESOME! It worked perfectly for my Z key!
6 years ago
Amazing hack!! Thanks for this my A Key has been working horrible for the last week and this fixed it E Z
6 years ago
Thanks for sharing
7 years ago
;;;;;9;lllllllllllllllll-0;llllllllllllllllllllll000000000000o;;;;;;;;;;; no p key, fix didn't work for me, time for a new keyboard...
8 years ago on Introduction
I have the same keyboard. The C key died and no amount of prodding with a screwdriver or a straw could get it working again. It's a shame that I will have to write off the entire keyboard for one malfunctioning key, but I don't know what else to do.
Reply 7 years ago on Introduction
The same thing happened to me, a few months after begging and pleading that my infamously stingy work purchase one (for a believe $100 +/-) for me.
It seemed like this horrendous keyboard was dying one letter at a time. On the day that I decided to give it up, it was down at least 13 keys - of what I was aware (c, i, o, u, y, z, ←, /, *, -, insert key, delete key... goodness knows what else)!! I wish MS would see that the MS Natural Ergonomic 4000 keyboard is - without a doubt - a defective unit, and should be recalled.
I hope this hack works... I'm dying using a regular keyboard, and I'm too ashamed to ask my work for another one. :(
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
i have the exact same problem and i have 3 of these with that exact same problem only the c key doesnt work.. and the rest of the keys are fine.. i want to strangle bill gates
8 years ago on Introduction
Just bought a new wireless keyboard and found the zero key on the number pad needed a decent push to activate. Was about to return it when I found your instructable and now it works perfectly. Thanks, you saved me a return trip to the store! 0000000000000000
8 years ago on Introduction
my keybo9ard i8s bro9ken so9me keys seem to9 be bro9ken.. every ti8me I* type letters u,i,o numbers co9me o9u7t
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
I* spi8ll my mi8lk, that mi8ght be the cau7se.
9 years ago
Thank you