Laptop number keys not responding - Samsung Series 9

September 21, 2017 12:09 AM

Non-responsive keys on laptop; what more can I try?

I have a Samsung Series 9 laptop that is a few years old. I updated from Windows 8 to Windows 10 a while back, and all seemed fine. However, the keyboard recently stopped working properly. Certain numbers (1, 3, 5, 7(?) and 9), plus several random letters, are not responsive. For the past couple of months, I've resorted to an external keyboard, which works fine but is cumbersome.

Things I have tried: installing latest driver updates, cleaning out the keyboard, running antivirus. I also performed a system recovery, but it would only 'let' me choose a recovery date of yesterday.

I'm guessing this is a software (not hardware) issue, because the keys in question have sometimes temporarily started working again when the computer restarts.

Any answers that explain like I'm 5 will be much appreciated!

posted by Salamander to Computers & Internet (6 answers total)

I would not rule out hardware based on intermittent returns, and would be more inclined to think hardware rather than software. It could be a tiny crack on a trace somewhere that's makes and breaks contact with temperature variations, or anything. If you're comfortable with it, you could search for a replacement keyboard on eBay and google for instructions to replace it yourself.
posted by quinndexter at 1:10 AM on September 21, 2017

mine had the same problem twice (right now, the N, B, delete, print screen and probably others are out after working intermittently for a few days) and I'm pretty sure it's a now dead trace somewhere like quinndexter says that is affecting the key matrix.
posted by lmfsilva at 6:56 AM on September 21, 2017

I have a Samsung Series 9 laptop that is a few years old. I updated from Windows 8 to Windows 10 a while back, and all seemed fine. However, the keyboard recently stopped working properly. Certain numbers (1, 3, 5, 7(?) and 9), plus several random letters, are not responsive. For the past couple of months, I've resorted to an external keyboard, which works fine but is cumbersome.

My 18-year old external keyboard failed in a very similar way. I personally think it's more likely to be a failing solder joint than a failing trace on the logic board, but unless you're interested in actually digging around with a soldering iron and/or solder pen, the upshot is the same: replace the failed hardware.
posted by aubilenon at 12:39 PM on September 21, 2017

If you believe it to be a software issue, you can test this theory by plugging in an external keyboard. As far as the OS is concerned, they are almost certainly both standard Human Interface Devices running a normal driver, and the external keyboard should hit the same issues if it is a software problem.

FWIW, I agree with everyone else; this sounds like a hardware failure. Whether it would be fixed by replacing the keyboard or whether it's a deeper issue is something I'm less sure of, but replacing the keyboard would be a good start.
posted by Aleyn at 1:00 PM on September 21, 2017

Response by poster: Thanks so much, all.

Given that this is looking like a hardware issue, I'm going to stick with using the external keyboard for a while, I think. (Any suggestions about how much it might cost to replace the laptop keyboard would be great...is it worth it?)
posted by Salamander at 2:25 AM on September 26, 2017

Without knowing the model, it's hard to tell how much a replacement keyboard would cost. Searching on Ebay for a generic Series 9 model returns a lot of results in the 100~230€ range, which is a lot (mine, for instance, are around €20 shipped, but it's not backlit and is used on a gazillion HP and Compaq models)
However, that's an ultrabook, right? Replacing the keyboard might involve disassembling almost the whole unit. If you don't feel comfortable messing around with ribbon cables, I'd probably ask a computer shop how much they would charge for the repair, with and without the replacement keyboard.

If it's worthy, it depends on how much you like portability. Mine stays in the same place for months on end, so that's not a big issue. However, it's a bit too much clutter around it when I want to plug-in the midi keyboard and then also all USB ports are taken.
posted by lmfsilva at 8:15 AM on September 26, 2017