How to assemble a button on a laptop. How to insert a button in a laptop

To understand the processes and determine the names of all the nodes of the button, let's start with its design.

Figure 1 - The structure of the keyboard: (1) - button, (2) - elevator, (3) - "spring", (4) - films, (5) - body.

You will need a thin, flat tool, like this one:

Laptop Keyboard Button Removal Tool

Remove the button from the elevator installed on the keyboard. The need for this arises if there is a need to regularly disassemble the keyboard by first removing the buttons from it, then the elevators and removing the films, separating them from the metal base. As you can see from Figure 1, the elevator is attached to the button in four places marked with red circles. Figure 2 shows how IT IS FORBIDDEN remove the button, as the applied force bends the elevator and can lead to a break in the place where its two parts are fastened together.

Figure 2 - Such efforts can cause damage to the "elevators" .

Figure 3 - The sequence of actions to disconnect the button from the "elevator".

Remove the elevator from the button(in case you have popped up a button along with the elevator). First you need to remove the elevator, insert the elevator back into the keyboard, and only then install the button on the elevator. The elevator is removed in the same way as in the previous paragraph: first, one part of the elevator is snapped off from the button, then the second (see Figure 3).

Remove lift from base. Depending on the design of the keyboard, the lift can be removed in different ways, but most often it is done this way: the lift moves forward to one of the mounts in order to disengage it. For easier and faster removal of the elevator from engagement with the body, you can use the tool. An illustration of this operation is in Figure 4.

Figure 4 - Detaching the "elevator" from the keyboard case.

Install an elevator. The elevator is installed in the reverse order: first, we engage one part of the elevator with the body, and then we snap the second part by pressing it (Figure 5).

Figure 5 - Installing the "elevator" in the keyboard case.

Set the button on the elevator. Installing the button on the elevator is probably the easiest procedure. It is important to remember only two rules: firstly, initially attach the button exactly to the place where it will be located (not above and not below this position, see Figure 6) and, secondly, start snapping it from the bottom up, that is first snap the button into the bottom of the elevator, and then into the top.

Figure 6 - Installing the button. Top right and left - a photo of the incorrect installation of the button. In the center - the correct positioning of the button. Then pressing first on the bottom of the button and only then on the top.

And finally, instructions for installing a button with a stiffener (space / space, shift "s, etc.) ..

Figure 7 - Button space (space)

Installation of a long button with a stiffener on the elevator takes place in three stages. The first stage is the installation of the amplifier into the grooves of the keyboard case. The second step is to press and connect the lower part of the button with the "elevator", and finally the third step is to snap the upper fasteners of the button and the elevators into place (see Figure 8).

Figure 8 - Setting a long button (in this case, a space).

In the event that any of the components ("elevators", "elevator" mounts or buttons) are obviously different in your keyboard, the installation methods given in this article may not suit you. In this case, we are waiting for your questions and comments in this article, as well as in our forum.

To understand the processes and determine the names of all the nodes of the button, let's start with its design.

The button mechanism includes (Figure 1): the button itself (1), the mechanism for holding the button, the so-called "elevator" (2), the spring element for raising / lowering the button, let's call it a "spring" (3), films with metal pads and tracks (4) and a metal case (5). Pay attention to the areas marked with red circles. In these places, the elevator is attached to the button, and each of the two parts of the elevator is attached to the button in two places.

Figure 1 - The structure of the keyboard: (1) - button, (2) - elevator, (3) - "spring", (4) - films, (5) - body.

You will need a thin, flat tool, like this one:

Laptop Keyboard Button Removal Tool

Remove the button from the elevator installed on the keyboard. The need for this arises if there is a need to regularly disassemble the keyboard by first removing the buttons from it, then the elevators and removing the films, separating them from the metal base. As you can see from Figure 1, the elevator is attached to the button in four places marked with red circles. Figure 2 shows how IT IS FORBIDDEN remove the button, as the applied force bends the elevator and can lead to a break in the place where its two parts are fastened together.

Figure 2 - Such efforts can cause damage to the "elevators".

Figure 3 - The sequence of actions to disconnect the button from the "elevator".

Remove the elevator from the button(in case you have popped up a button along with the elevator). First you need to remove the elevator, insert the elevator back into the keyboard, and only then install the button on the elevator. The elevator is removed in the same way as in the previous paragraph: first, one part of the elevator is snapped off from the button, then the second (see Figure 3).
Remove lift from base. Depending on the design of the keyboard, the lift can be removed in different ways, but most often it is done this way: the lift moves forward to one of the mounts in order to disengage it. For easier and faster removal of the elevator from engagement with the body, you can use the tool. An illustration of this operation is in Figure 4.

Figure 4 - Detaching the "elevator" from the keyboard case.
Install an elevator. The elevator is installed in the reverse order: first, we engage one part of the elevator with the body, and then we snap the second part by pressing it (Figure 5).

Figure 5 - Installing the "elevator" in the keyboard case.
Set the button on the elevator. Installing the button on the elevator is probably the easiest procedure. It is important to remember only two rules: firstly, initially attach the button exactly to the place where it will be located (not above and not below this position, see Figure 6) and, secondly, start snapping it from the bottom up, that is first snap the button into the bottom of the elevator, and then into the top.

Figure 6 - Installing the button. Top right and left - a photo of the incorrect installation of the button. In the center - the correct positioning of the button. Then pressing first on the bottom of the button and only then on the top.
And finally, instructions for installing a button with a stiffener (space / space, shift "s, etc.) ..

Using a laptop in everyday life, users sometimes encounter a problem: a key on the keyboard “broke off”. Any factor can be the reason: cleaning the keyboard, using a vacuum cleaner for cleaning, a crazy cat (yes, even this happens), a small child who is interested in everything around and accidentally plucked a key, and much more. But not everyone knows that this little trouble is easy enough to fix.
I will tell you how to put the button back without loss.

(carefully! a lot of photos)

Trouble has happened, and your laptop keyboard looks like this:

Laptops are all different, but most often they have a similar mount (the principle of fastening).
The key from the back side looks like this:

We see two pairs of mounts:
- two latches;
- two grooves for the ears of the rocker.
The key cover is attached to the keyboard using a special rocker, which consists of 2 parts connected by a hinge in the middle and forming the letter X (ha).

It often happens that the key "breaks out" along with the rocker. In this case, you must first disconnect the rocker from the key cover, install the rocker on the keyboard, and only then return the key to its rightful place.
To do this, take the key, snap off the latch, on one side of the key, and display the antennae of the rocker and grooves, on the other side:

We get 2 parts: a key cover and a rocker.
There are 3 lugs on the keyboard for mounting: one larger and two smaller.

If for some reason these mounts are bent (for example, a heavy object fell on the keyboard, as a result of which the key jumped out), they must be bent into the correct position. Be careful, these fasteners cannot be strongly bent, because. they are made of aluminum and break off easily, after which the repair will become much more complicated.

Installing the rocker on the keyboard:
- we start under the big ear of fastening

With a light touch, we start the rocker on 2 small fasteners

After the rocker is installed, you can put the key cap back on.
- we start the protrusions on the rocker into the grooves of the lid

Here you need to act carefully and not miss the mark :).
Next, making sure that the ears are in the grooves, by lightly pressing the top of the key, we fix the key cap,
a slight click will be heard.

Ready! key in place.

Large keys (Tab, Shift, space, enter), in addition to a plastic rocker, can have a metal stabilizer for uniform pressing.

There are two extra tabs on the keyboard backing to secure this stabilizer. The rest of the design is the same as described above.

First we start the ends of the stabilizer.

Then we put the lower "antennae" of the rocker into the grooves and lightly press the button into place.

The space key (and sometimes other long keys) rests on two rockers and a stabilizer.

In principle, the installation is no different from the above-described setting of the Shift key.

Above, the internal arrangement of the keys of a Hewlett-Packard laptop was considered.

I almost forgot. If the rocker, consisting of two parts, was dismantled during an emergency, do not despair. Using a needle, toothpick or other suitable object, it is easy to assemble it. We get one side into the groove, and to install the second side we use our auxiliary item.

Now, dear users, you will have no questions:
- how is the laptop keyboard arranged?

How to replace the key cover?
- what to do if a cat pulled out a key on a laptop?
etc.

P.s. Because there were too many photos, an additional part of the article can be viewed on my blog (if someone is interested in this topic), where, for example, you can see the key devices of Asus and Apple laptops, some differences and similarities are described.

Having learned the device of the button and a number of simple operations for its removal and installation, the user will be able to independently fix a small breakdown or replace the faulty key with a new one.

How to insert a button into a keyboard on a laptop

A laptop, unlike a personal computer, has a built-in dialing device, the cost of which is significantly higher due to its compact dimensions and integral design. That is why its repair, including independent, is constantly in demand and economically justified.

With prolonged use and active use, parts of the keyboard fall out or break, requiring replacement, are quite common.

However, before running to the service center, let's try to figure out whether it is possible to insert a button into the laptop keyboard at home and, possibly, save money and personal time.

Possible reasons

There can be many possible reasons for breakage or loss of keys:

To understand what this leads to and determine the likelihood of self-repair, consider the following cases when one or more keys fell out or do not work:

the top part simply popped out of the mounts, got stuck, the plastic mount broke, or the fixing tabs on the aluminum base of the keyboard were bent. - We install, repair or change by ourselves;
there was a short circuit and / or destruction of the conductive tracks due to a factory defect, liquid ingress or other extraneous interference. - It is worth contacting the service if you do not have certain skills;
damage to the cable connecting to the motherboard. - Replacement (preferably by a specialist) of the film or the entire device.

Given that the majority of users are amateurs, we will only consider fixing the breakdowns of the first case: mechanical damage.

For this you may need:

a regular needle or from a syringe;
paper clip;
glue;
knife, small screwdriver;
wire cutters and pliers;
a thin soldering iron and a lighter;
small vise.

The first two positions of the list are enough to simply insert the dropped item, and the rest may be needed for a small repair.

Important: Please note right away that all work must be carried out ONLY with the device disconnected from the mains with the battery removed.

Photo: Parsing the collection of keys

Button and its design

Before inserting a button into a laptop keyboard yourself, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with its design. This will help to properly repair, as well as easy and simple installation. It should be remembered and taken into account that, unlike a stationary one, a laptop keyboard has a shorter stroke.

They consist of:

A typical keyboard base in a laptop is an aluminum plate with a stamping with ears for good fixation of the clamshell and contact pad, under which there are three layers of film with conductive graphite tracks.

Reliability of fastening of a swing provides uniformity of the course and lack of distortions when pressing a key.

Please note that different manufacturers may have slight design differences in the shape and types of clamps.

Therefore, if necessary, the first time to disassemble it yourself, proceed carefully.

Disassembly order

There are often situations when it becomes necessary to completely remove and disassemble the button. For example, sinking, lack of response on the screen when it is pressed, or deformation of the lugs of the clamshell. Removing, disassembling and inserting a button into a laptop keyboard is quite easy.

This will require a thin flat tool, such as a dental hook. As you know from the previous section, the swing is attached to the cover in four places. You can’t just bend and “tear” it - this deforms the swing and leads to damage.

So:

Inserting a button on a laptop is very easy

First, once again carefully inspect all fasteners, ears, antennae and grooves. If you carefully studied the device and design, read the disassembly procedure, then putting the jumped-out element in place will not be difficult.

This process includes two simple steps:

Please note that sometimes the cover will fall out along with the swing. In such a case, it should be disassembled, audited, and only then installed. Moreover, first we insert the folding mechanism, and then the lid itself.

The described process may seem complicated, but you should only try it once and you will see for yourself that inserting a button into a laptop keyboard is very simple!

Installing large buttons

Function keys ("space", "case", "tab", "enter", etc.) are larger than the others. It is this property that requires a slightly different order of their installation. The reason for this is the presence of a metal stabilizer, which ensures uniform pressing.

On the keyboard substrate there are additional lugs for secure fixation of the stiffener itself.

And although everything else is exactly the same as described above, we install long buttons on a clamshell in three stages:

Please note that some long keys (for example, the spacebar) are fixed on two folding mechanisms and a stiffener.

We repair keys

As a rule, it is better not to start complex and time-consuming repairs on your own.

After disassembling a faulty, badly functioning or torn key, you will have to make one of three decisions based on its careful examination:

put it back "as is", without changes;
purchase and install a new one (you can also use it);
make minor repairs or replacement of parts from the “donor” and continue operation.

For the last point, you may need the tools that we talked about above.

Minor mechanical repairs include:

assembly and installation in the grooves of the parts of the mechanism that jumped out (quite often the clamshell “crumbles”);
correction of bent ears in the metal base of the keyboard (for example, when a heavy object falls on the keyboard);
gluing cracks, broken latches.

It is not worth repairing the breakage of the latches and the swivel of the clamshell - it is better, if possible, to find a "donor" or replace the entire key. Smoothness of the course, softness and noiselessness of its work depends on it.

A rubber spring is usually glued to a film with conductive tracks. Sometimes it happens that it falls out. In this case, before inserting the button into the laptop keyboard, you should carefully install it with the wide part towards the bottom, strictly in the center. Spring displacement during installation is not allowed.

Having a problem with the keys? Try, if possible, to solve it yourself. This is not difficult! All you need is attention, perseverance, accuracy and a little time.

Having received the necessary skills, you can, on occasion, save the life of your pet by quickly eliminating the consequences of moisture ingress or significantly extend it by performing a general cleaning from dust and crumbs.

Useful advice: By the way, before disassembling the keyboard of your laptop completely, we strongly recommend taking a picture, just in case, of the order of the keys. This will greatly simplify and speed up the reassembly process!

During cleaning of the laptop or due to careless handling, some elements of the keyboard may fall out. Often, inserting a button into a laptop is quite simple, but with some of them, for example, if it is “Space”, novice users sometimes have problems. Next, we will tell you how these buttons are arranged, as well as how they can be put in place.

How does a button on a laptop keyboard work?

To learn how to accurately and accurately fix the dropped button in the right place, without breaking it, you need to know the structure of this element of a portable computer. It includes:

Note that different laptop manufacturers may have their own button design, slightly different from the one described. Therefore, if you yourself are going to put the dropped input device elements back, be extremely careful.

The order of installation of ordinary square buttons

If the usual square button fell out, then putting it back in place is very simple. But first, carefully inspect the design of the element, all grooves and fasteners. If the design is standard, the process will consist of just a few simple steps:

Everything described is true when the entire button fell out along with the mount. If only the top cover “fell off”, then putting it back into place is already much easier - you only need to complete the third paragraph of the description. Perhaps it will seem complicated to someone, but with proper skill, you can fix the key in this way in just a few seconds.

Working with big buttons

For "long" elements (input, tabulation, etc.), due to a slightly different design, slightly modified installation rules are required. The design differences are not only in their size, but also in the presence of a stabilizer made of rigid metal wire, which ensures even pressing along the entire length of the element. "Space" even has two metal rocker arms, so installing it is somewhat more difficult.

In places where large buttons are installed on the metal substrate of the input device, there are a couple of additional lugs for fixing the stabilizer.

But in general, the whole process, even for the "Space" button, differs little from that described above:

Install the first stiffener in place by inserting the ends of its fasteners into the holes in the input device backing. At the same stage, the second stabilizer must be fixed in the plastic grooves, which are already located directly on the inside of the button cover.
Attach the ends of the second "rocker" to the special loops on the keyboard, put the button in place and press on its lower part until it clicks.

The rest of the large buttons, which are designed with only one stabilizer, are easier to work with. For them, the action is limited only to the last item from the sequence of actions described above.

How to repair broken keys

Usually, any repair of this laptop element comes down to replacing a broken part with a donor device. If you try to fix damage on your own, for example, plastic clips or an “elevator” connection, then the smoothness, noiselessness and softness of the restored element can differ significantly from neighboring ones.

Sometimes, along with the button, the rubber spring glued to the film of the input device also falls out. In this case, before installing the dropped element, it will need to be carefully glued strictly in the center with a wide part to the bottom. It is not allowed to move it to either side, since it must be exactly under the conductive path and close it when pressed.

Therefore, always carefully study the design before disassembling / assembling them. For example, for the case in the photo, the rule applies - first you need to fix the metal elements on the keyboard, and then the cover is put on them. However, for the most part, all modern laptops have a similar design, and all buttons on them are installed in the manner described above.