MS USB keyboard - how to clean?

[Encid]

I apologise if this has been asked before but I could not find this subject after a quic search.

My USB eyboard has started acting up... it's about 4 years old so probably has dust, food crumbs and other debris under the keys,

I have a particular problem with the letter "k"... I have to slam it a few times before it works.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how best to clean it?

[Nicolas32]

http://www.howtogeek.com/65073/how-to-thoroughly-clean-your-keyboard-without-breaking-anything/

[Pib]

Try removing the key so you can clean it good. Try blowing air around the key. But that "k" key could very well be going intermittent due to partial failure of the controlling electronics in the keyboard.

Unless you are feeling some unusual physical resistance while pressing the key the problem is probably not dirt. Actually modern day keyboards have the portion of the key which makes electrical contact enclosed within rubber type material...many times completely water and dust proof...and you cannot clean under this protective covering.

Also, when one key goes bad a nearby key(s) may also start going bad---that's when you know one of the tiny chips in the keyboard is going bad because one chip usually controls multiple keys.

I had a Toshiba keyboard go bad the same way your appears to be, but my problem key was the "s" key....I had to press it about twice as hard as the other keys....it removed the key cap...clean as whistle underneath...it was just a faulty contact which was factory enclosed with a rubber seal....nothing I could...ordered a keyboard off Ebay for about $15 and replaced it.

Having even one key act up like this can be a pain when typing....entering passwords...etc...just a pain.

[Pib]

Deleted...dup to above post.

Edited February 3, 2016 by Pib

[Misterwhisper]

Another wonderful solution instead of meddling with a 4-year-old malfunctioning keyboard is to visit the next computer accessories shop and buy a brand new one for about 250 - 500 Baht (depending on make and model). Just a thought.

[NeverSure]

Pib is right. The actual electronics are sealed under a membrane which is between the keys and the electronics. Your key is pressing on the membrane. I was really surprised years ago when I took the CompTia A+ course and the correct way to clean a keyboard was to put it in the dishwasher. Well, not if it's attached to a laptop, LOL. But seriously if someone were to spill a cup of coffee with say sugar and cream all over his keyboard he could just take it to the sink and wash it. True story and the correct answer on the exam.

Because the electronics are under the membrane and because you can't really fix that I second the motion that you buy a new keyboard.

Cheers.

[Pib]

I know the OP is talking an external keyboard, but some folks still believe having a keyboard skin/plastic overlay used on a laptop keyboard to protect it from the beer spills, grim, and other stuff prevents air from escaping upward which affects the cooling. Wrong.

But for those who have closely examined a laptop keyboard out of the laptop (or an external keyboard) they will see it's solid on the bottom (usually a thin metal/thick foil or plastic) and if pulling off some keys they will see a rubber/plastic membrane. Air can't flow through a solid object(s)...and heat radiates through a thin keyboard skin like it wasn't there.

I've used laptop keyboard skins/protective overlays to keep the beer out for many years on various computers without any problems (other than keeping my keyboard clean)....and I'm typing on such a keyboard skin right now.

Hard to hurt keyboards now days by spilling something on them, but there are some extremely talented folks out there.

[keeniau96]

Dishwasher method was the recommended route by several of the hardware geeks at a site I used to frequent some ten years ago. Just the rinse cycle with no heat.

[Encid]

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone.

I did pop off the offending key (and all the surrounding keys) and there was no significant dirt underneath, so I suspect you are correct with the failing electroncs theory.

Time for a new keyboard!!!

It's funny though... now that I've lifted off the key cap and blown what little dust there was away... the "k" key seems to be working much better!!!

KKKkkkKKkkKKKkkkKKKKkkk

OK... just fooling around.

Thanks all for the helpful replies.

[Pib]

Time will tell. If the electronics is falling the problem can come and go...and of course it comes back at a bad time.