15 Shocking Facts About Key Repairs You've Never Heard Of
How to Fix additional hints broken key fob can cause you to lose your day. Luckily, repairing the issue is simple with the right tools and steps.
Always make sure to ground yourself prior to attempting any repairs to remove static electricity. It takes only a few seconds and is a good practice to work with electronics.
Look for any debris caught beneath the key you are trying to replace. Breadcrumbs and other bits often become stuck beneath keys, which prevents them from advancing properly.
Broken Car Keys
Car keys are something we overlook until they fail or stop working at the most inconvenient times. If you're trying to open the trunk of your car for groceries, or unlocking your doors to go to a place, or driving your car and heading to work, keys for cars can be a nightmare when they don't work.
Over time, keys for cars can become worn out. They may be damaged due to being thrown around or dropped, and the internal components can wear out to the point where they're no longer functioning as they should. This is a huge issue because it means that you aren't able to drive without an extra key or your mechanic fix the problem.
Fortunately, most broken car keys can be repaired or replaced easily. If the key has broken in the lock or ignition, you can easily remove the remaining portion of the key by using pliers or coated wire. A locksmith may offer you a set of special removal tools that are designed to slide in along the key and then apply an apex-like grip to the broken pieces in order to take them out.
If the car key is broken in half, a simple and affordable fix is to glue the two pieces back together. This can be a bit difficult because you must make sure that the pieces are properly aligned, but the result can be very efficient. It's a good idea keep a pair of scissors and a roll tape handy just in case you have to alter the alignment just slightly.
Replace the battery in the car key fob to repair a damaged key. This is usually the best option in case your car key fob doesn't turn on and you don't have a suitable replacement. Depending on the type of vehicle, you can occasionally do this by taking off the key fob and opening it using a screwdriver or small tool.
If the problem is serious such as if your keyfob is not working or is not responding and you need to replace it. It is possible to do this at the dealership, but an auto locksmith will typically be more affordable. They will come to you and make any necessary repairs or even replace the key fob.
Broken Key Fobs
Car key fobs are not impervious to damage, and just like any electronic device, they are prone to malfunctions at some point. Fortunately, they're not that difficult to fix when they do stop working. The first thing you'll need to do is figure out what's wrong.
The majority of the time, when a key fob stops working it's because the battery is dead. The simplest and most economical solution is to replace the battery. It's possible to do this at home.
If cleaning the fob is not working you can disassemble it. The circuit board of your fob has "contact pads" that correspond to each button on the fob. (Lock buttons and trunk buttons for example.) The contact pads are made of rubber and are coated in an electrically conducting film that begins to fade as time passes. With a cotton swab, and some rubbing alcohol, you can wash the contacts in your key fob to remove any corrosion that may be stopping them from functioning.
If you suspect that the contacts are broken or loose If you suspect that the contacts are damaged or loose, you can use the tweezers in a pair. If you decide to do this, it is recommended to apply some silicone on the back of your key fob prior inserting the new contacts. Silicone can help seal the contacts and keep out water.
Another reason to consider a non-functioning key fob is that it has become un-paired with the vehicle. When you press a key fob button, it sends a message to the car that tells it what it's trying to accomplish. If the key fob has been unpaired, it won't recognize the car and will not allow you to start the engine.
If you are unable to get your key fob to pair to your car, it's time to call an auto locksmith or dealership technician. They'll have the tools to reprogram the key fob and make it functional again. It's likely that you'll need to pay for the service but it's much less than purchasing a new key fob.
Keys are not responsive
It's not a pleasant experience when the key on your computer fails to function. First, make sure that the key isn't blocked by any obstruction. Hair, dust and other particles can accumulate over time and hinder a key's movement or disrupt its circuitry. Try gently taking the key off and cleaning the area under it with a rag and rubbing alcohol. Sometimes, this is all you need to do to make your key work again.
If the key still doesn't work, it's possible that it's an issue with your software. If your key isn't doing what you expect, make sure to check the settings of your game to confirm that it's properly assigned.
You may also want to try reinstalling your keyboard drivers to resolve the problem. It is recommended to update your drivers whenever possible to ensure that your keyboard does not stop functioning due to corrupted or outdated ones.
The key may be broken. There are two circuits in each key switch, and as time passes, they be damaged to the point where they are no longer able to detect when they are pressed. If this is the case it is recommended to replace the keyboard as the keyboard won't perform as it should.
If you've gone through all of these fixes but the keyboard is still not responding you're probably in need of have your laptop or external keyboard examined by an expert. There may be a physical issue with the membrane that covers your keyboard or it could be that one of the keys has become damaged.
To determine this, you'll need to test the keys using a keyboard tester website. The website will tell you whether the keys are registered correctly during the test and, if they do, it's likely due to a software problem. The other solutions can be applied to restore full functionality. You can also utilize an external keyboard until the internal keyboard is repaired or replaced.
Keys That Don't Work
It's a hassle when keys don't work but they're generally simple to repair. Most times, a malfunctioning key is caused by a piece of dirt beneath the key, or just not being connected properly to the keyboard or laptop. If you're unsure whether this is the case, begin by cleaning the keys and using canned air to eliminate dust or dirt.
The key could be misaligned. This is a different issue that can be solved by an expert, but it is more likely to require replacement of the key. If your car key is electronic and cannot be changed by pressing a metal manual key into the ignition, it's possible that the transponder chip inside has stopped working and you'll have to get an entirely new key programmed.
If your external keyboard or laptop keys seem to not be not registering any action at all, you can try using a key testing website. This will allow you to determine if the keyboard is malfunctioning or if software is interfering.
A switch that isn't working properly could be the cause for keys not working as expected. You can test if your keyboard is mechanical by looking underneath the keycap to see whether there is any debris stuck. If you discover something, use canned air to clean it and then remove the cap. This will let you replace the hooks that connect the retainer and the switch, and hopefully restore functionality to your key.
If the key on your keyboard isn't performing the intended function only in one program, then it's likely that settings for the game's keyboard have mapped the key to a different action. Check the keyboard settings and press the key once more to see if it's functioning. If it's not, it's best to purchase a brand new keyboard and install it by an experienced. This is true, especially if you play a game that requires a lot of typing.