Sticky Keyboard

gravitytolls

Hi all,

Is there anything I can use to clean my keyboard and remove whatever is making the keys sticky ~ beyond banning the offspring from the laptop.

Ebay suggest this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-Compressed-Air-Spray-Can-duster-cleaner-200ml-computer-keyboards-etc-/190865237956?pt=UK_Computing_Other_Computing_Networking&hash=item2c707467c4

but is it likely to work? I don't want to cause further problems but would like to avoid removing the keys if possible, as I'm afeared I'll not be able to reattach them!

John_Gray

An air duster will not remove stickiness, just dust and crumbs and the like.

Depending on how good a keyboard it is, and how easily it comes apart and goes together again, you could trying undoing what might be a dozen screws from the underneath and separate the two halves, and clean as well as you can.

On the other hand, keyboards aren't too expensive, so why not treat yourself to another one?

gravitytolls

Thanks John.

I'm too scared to replace the keyboard!

SidP

If you mean that the keys themselves will stay down when pressed, and not pop up like they should (or at least not immediately) you could always try popping it in the dishwasher. It's been done before:
Clean a keyboard in a dishwasher

S0litaire

Hot soapy water and a brush!

Dunk it in and give the keys a good scrub! The soapy foam should get under the keys and loosen up any gunk that's trapped.

Just make sure you dry it for a day or 2 before plugging it back in. ^_^

I usually end up opening the cheap keyboards and washing the 2 connector sheets and plastic case / drying them and reassembling it all

Nilrem

I'm reading the suggestions to wash the keyboard and shuddering

I tend to go the no chance of it getting !!!!!!ed by rust method

I open them up (usually pretty simple, just do it with the keyboard upside down on a table or whatever), then carefully clean all the contacts etc with a bit of isoprypol alcohol and some kitchen roll and cotton buds*.

It's a bit more time consuming and effort involved than washing it in the tub or dishwasher, but you are guaranteed no residue left behind by the cleaning (Isopropyl basically evaporates almost instantly), and you don't risk any water damage to any of the electronics.
You can also use the keyboard as soon as you put it back together.


*This same method will often sort out things like remote controls that have had sticky drinks spilt on them.

googler

There could be three definitions of 'sticky' - sticky to the touch, physically sticking in position, or sticking such that a single character repeats indefinitely onscreen.

Different solutions for each, most of which are covered above

DigForVictory

A long time ago, after an accident with orange squash, we bought an ultracheap keyboard & kept it taped in a bag at the back of a wardrobe. When a keyboard gets bad, it gets very frustrating & if you can find the fiver for a cheapo, just replace it. If you can't, check freecyle or freegle? Or ask family & friends if they've an unused keyboard?
All the best!

womble12345

I second the dishwasher method, stick it in on a quick cycle with no detergent, then stick it on a radiator to dry out completely. You can speed up the drying by dismantling the keyboard a bit. I have used this method on a few keyboards with surprisingly good results.

diable

Stop watching !!!!!!.