Not sure if I can remove and clean it or use canned air to flush out any debris.
Laptop is an IBM Thinkpad T43.
Thanks,
fduvall
Does anyone have any advice on how to "unstick" a space-bar key on a laptop keyboard? The space-bar works, but it needs to be pushed hard(er) than the other keys. Impossibleto type withoutmaking manymistakes (usingitnow).
works for me:
... sticky space-bar key? doesn't that come from eating and drinking over your keyboard, tsk tsk tsk. Happened here too. We then simply took a bit of paper and water and tried to clean between the free spaces around it ... what a nuisance If someone knows a good quick way to clean this, I'd sure enough appreciate it too.
Can you remove the key? On my toshiba laptop, I can remove the keys on the keyboard. I usually remove the offending key and the ones next to it, and then use canned air to push out any debris, which I then vaccum away (using the softest brush attachment on my dyson).
Usually you can either remove the key or the whole keyboard. Then simply clean it with soapy water and let it dry for at least 48 hours. At least that is what the instructions say - I have yet to do it if I could only find the 48 hours time of not using my computer :-)
I have found replacement keyboards for laptops on ebay for 10-20 USD / CHF, and the procedure is usually rather easy.
You could try popping it in the dishwasher, I'm sure all the keys would be quite free after that.
Alternatively, try cleaning the keyboard, space keys sometimes have pivot points that can get gummed up with keyboard plaque
Lenovo Support - Thinkpad T40/41/42/43 Keyboard Removal.
While you have it off, if you have some canned air, it might be worth blowing out the heat sink. I was having some difficulty with my R51 (Overheating). Blowing the dust from the heat sink sorted it right out. Better to do it as Preventative Maintenance than wait for it to start shutting down....
Just be careful to hold the fan in position, as if it spins too fast, it could cause some damage...
Ekk, I wouldn't recommend anything involving water for a laptop!
A simple trick I use which works bout half the time is to get a small piece of paper, fold it in half a cople of times (so it's got a bit more rigidiy to it), then run it under the key by pushing it though the gaps between the keys.
I often find there's simply a wad of dust/crumbs/hair stuck under the key.
If it's proper gummy stuff and dry cleaning doesn't work, then I'd suggest you use a proper anti-static electrical components cleaning product like this;
http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/search/pr...equestid=43507
(There's one from CPC in a green can that's worked really well for me in the past, but I couldn't find it quickly I'm afraid).
This type of stuff can be safely used on electrical circuits without killing them off like water can. Foam's also good for keyboards, as it can expand under the keys.
Hope this helps
Butters
The pup who's living with us yanked out the arrow-down key and threw it on the floor (thank God she didn't ingest it). The skeletal arrow-down knob works fine now.
Guess it'll work as well on your space bar, OP. Ask your doggie for help.
Depending on what is causing it, but you really only have two options
1. Buy some compressed air and clean the keyboard. BE CAUTIOUS since it you blow too hard with the compressed air, you will have keys flying off.
2. Buy a new keyboard and replace the old one.
/Peter
I removed thekeyboard and triedto cleanit with canned air,but as you can see,it didn'thelp. Will try to remove the keyandsee if there is an obstruction.
Thanksforthe tips!
fduvall
Before you do, be aware, it is not easy to reassemble a laptop keyboard, but this might help
This is the first site that I have seen which explains how the space bar is different! THanks for pointing it out. I will give it a try.
fduvall