Content

• Steps
• Warning
• What you need

Let's say you are typing the last words in quarterly report and suddenly the computer keyboard is stuck. Luckily we have some simple solutions for keyboard cleaning. The button is stuck because of dirt and debris in the keyboard, sometimes from spilled beverages or other sticky substance. The article below offers solutions to all of these causes.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Shake the keyboard

1. 

   Unplug the keyboard cord. If it is a laptop, you need to turn it off first.

2. 

   
   
   Turn the keyboard over. Hold the keyboard (or laptop) at an angle so that the keyboard is facing the floor.

3. 

   Gently shake the keyboard to let debris fall onto the table or floor.

4. 

   
   
   Dust the dirt on the keyboard. If there is still debris on the keyboard, you can wipe it clean.

5. 

   Check the buttons to see if they are working properly. advertisement

Method 2 of 4: Blow clean the keyboard

1. 

   
   
   Buy a compressed air spray. You can find compressed air sprays at most electronics stores.

2. 

   Turn off the computer. If you are using a desktop computer, unplug the keyboard cord from the computer.

3. 

   Use an air spray to gently blow around and underneath the stuck keys. Do not tilt the flask as liquid may spill over.

4. 

   Dust away. If dust or food is blown out, wipe it off the keyboard.

5. 

   Try the keys. Check that the button is free of jam. advertisement

Method 3 of 4: Clean sticky keys

1. 

   Wipe any liquid spilled onto the keyboard. If you spill water on the keyboard, disconnect the device and wipe off any liquid.

2. 

   Use alcohol to wipe if the liquid has dried. Make sure you unplug the keyboard or power off the computer first. If the dry liquid is mostly on the keypad, you can use an alcohol swab to wipe it.

3. 

   Wipe the top of the keys to make sure the keyboard is free of stickiness.

4. 

   Use a cotton swab to wipe around the edges. Wipe around the key to clean the part between the keyboard cap and the keyboard.

5. 

   Check that the jammed keys are free. After the alcohol dries, check to see if the keyboard was used normally. advertisement

Method 4 of 4: Disassemble the key to clean the bottom

1. 

   Gently pry the stuck key out. Insert a screwdriver or tool with a flat end under the key and pry gently from one of the edges. You can also pry with your fingernails.
   • For laptops (whether PC or Mac), the keycaps are fixed in place with a thin plastic tab that acts as a spring. Each keyboard has a different button structure, so how to disassemble the keyboard is also different depending on the type. You should check the manual if you are unsure how to remove the keyboard cap.
   • On mechanical keyboards, you should not pry the button up. Most keyboards of this type usually come with key pullers to remove each key cap from the keyboard.
   • Do not remove all buttons at once, as you may forget the position of each key. You should only remove one or two keys at a time.

2. 

   Carefully wipe the inside of the button and the space on the keyboard where you took it out. Clean any debris or particles that are stuck in the keys or the hinges below. You can use tweezers or a toothpick.

3. 

   Use an alcohol swab to clean the contaminated area. Make sure you absorb enough alcohol so that it won't drip.

4. 

   Let the buttons and keyboard dry completely. Do not allow any liquid to remain on the keys, including rubbing alcohol.

5. 

   Attach the button back to its original position. Gently press the key down. The button should pop into the correct position.
   • On a laptop, you attach the plastic tab back to the original anchor position and then place the key cap in the hole you took out of the keyboard.

6. 

   Check the button to see if the jam is clear. If not, you will need to bring the keyboard to a computer repairman. advertisement

Warning

• Make sure the keyboard is disconnected before proceeding.
• If the computer is new and is under warranty, do not take apart the key yourself but contact the manufacturer first.

What you need

• Compressed air spray
• Rubbing alcohol
• Cotton swab
• Tweezers or a toothpick
• Conventional screwdrivers (small)