Three keys on keyboard not working properly

I started suddenly having a problem with keys not working on my LAPTOP keyboard recently. I first started noticing it in Microsoft Word and then it gradually got worse over a matter of a few days and now it's really bad no matter where I am typing. By process of elimination, I narrowed it down to three specific keys: "w" "f" and "k" and at times, it will intermittently work. I have already tried a number of suggestions that has not helped. I cleaned the keyboard keys thoroughly and thought that fixed the problem because immediately they started working but not for long. I am able to type using an external keyboard. I ran a scan to check for viruses and nothing came up there. My next thought was to do a system restore but I have so many files that need to be backed up that I really don't have time to do but I will do as a last resort. Why is it just those specific keys? Really baffles me.

Hi Penny10, welcome to the Forum.

A failing keyboard can have all sorts of odd behaviour. The best suggestion would be to install an external keyboard to see if that fixes the problem, which it usually does when laptop keyboards misbehave. You can continue using he external keyboard, but if that does not suit you, you could get the laptop one replaced, but be sure to get a quote first as it might be cheaper to buy a new laptop.

System restore isn't going to affect your personal files.

Ranger4 said:

Hi Penny10, welcome to the Forum.

A failing keyboard can have all sorts of odd behaviour. The best suggestion would be to install an external keyboard to see if that fixes the problem, which it usually does when laptop keyboards misbehave. You can continue using he external keyboard, but if that does not suit you, you could get the laptop one replaced, but be sure to get a quote first as it might be cheaper to buy a new laptop.

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Thanks Ranger4 for your help; however, I really don't want to have to rely on an external keyboard all the time. If I were always at a desk with my laptop, that might be okay but that is not the case. I am everywhere with my laptop and sometimes, it can be quite cumbersome to have that extra piece of hardware taking up space. Is it possible to just replace the three keys that are affected or do I have to replace the entire keyboard?

wither 2 said:

System restore isn't going to affect your personal files.

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wither 2,

I thought I had read that it wouldn't affect my files but I'm a little confused. I thought I had read about two different types of restore. And what about downloaded programs and links from the internet? I have so much that I would hate to have to get back if it disappears. I know programs installed via cd/dvds would not be a problem but I have a lot of programs and things that I downloaded for online classes, etc. that I would not want to lose access to.

It's to restore your system to the state it was before a problem occurred. Any updates or programs you installed after the restore would be lost. Despite that, it wouldn't affect files you saved when using those programs. They would still be there when you reinstall the software. It's best to run the restore point as soon as a problem occurs.

I manually create a restore point about once a week (if I remember to do it) but then, I'm retired so I'm not doing anything mission critical. I save files created by most of my programs on a separate partition from the C: and do a backup of those everyday to a secondary drive as a precaution for if the hard drive goes bad or I have to reinstall Windows.

wither 2 said:

It's to restore your system to the state it was before a problem occurred. Any updates or programs you installed after the restore would be lost. Despite that, it wouldn't affect files you saved when using those programs. They would still be there when you reinstall the software. It's best to run the restore point as soon as a problem occurs.

I manually create a restore point about once a week (if I remember to do it) but then, I'm retired so I'm not doing anything mission critical. I save files created by most of my programs on a separate partition from the C: and do a backup of those everyday to a secondary drive as a precaution for if the hard drive goes bad or I have to reinstall Windows.

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So, what you're saying is that any programs (not documents) that I downloaded before the system restore would not be affected and I would not have to reinstall them right? My main concern is certain programs that I downloaded for my classes I'm taking like Visual Studio and Unity. I remember it being rather complicated when I downloaded them so I would not want to have to re-install them.

As far as my documents, there wouldn't be that many I would have to back up since the issue occurred rather recently. I do need to get an external drive so I can back up all my files but, in the meantime, what is the fastest and most convenient way to back them up? That is the biggest reason why I haven't been doing it all along -- because of time constraints. Sorry for so many questions.

If you're downloading and installing programs after the last system restore, they would be lost when you run the restore. Good reason to create a restore point whenever you download/install. Just takes a few minutes.

I don't know where you save your documents but, if they're on the C: drive, I think one of the best way to back them up is to do an image backup of your C: drive using something like the free Macrium Reflect. You should also create a bootable medium from Macrium Reflect in the event your hard drive fails or, for some reason, you need to reinstall Windows. I back up my files using an older version of Nero BackItUp but, I also image my hard drive periodically with Macrium Reflect. Now that we're talking about it, I need to do another image. I haven't got it set to do that automatically.

Multiple keys can share parts of a circuit pathway so when there is a loss of conductivity on a pathway you can have 1, or 2, or 3, or 4 keys suffer. The fact that the situation improved after you cleaned it makes it very likely that you have some corrosion or foreign substance that has mucked up your circuitry. The easiest fix is to just replace the keyboard. Many laptop replacement keyboards can be found on ebay for $20-$30. I recommend you find your exact laptop model then find the service manual or better yet a youtube video that shows how to replace that particular keyboard. Once you see exactly how to do it, then you can buy the new keyboard.

You don't want to see my 11 year old keyboard.

johnhoh said:

Multiple keys can share parts of a circuit pathway so when there is a loss of conductivity on a pathway you can have 1, or 2, or 3, or 4 keys suffer. The fact that the situation improved after you cleaned it makes it very likely that you have some corrosion or foreign substance that has mucked up your circuitry. The easiest fix is to just replace the keyboard. Many laptop replacement keyboards can be found on ebay for $20-$30. I recommend you find your exact laptop model then find the service manual or better yet a youtube video that shows how to replace that particular keyboard. Once you see exactly how to do it, then you can buy the new keyboard.

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Thank you johnhoh. That makes sense and my husband has actually been looking at keyboards online for me.

wither 2 said:

If you're downloading and installing programs after the last system restore, they would be lost when you run the restore. Good reason to create a restore point whenever you download/install. Just takes a few minutes.

I don't know where you save your documents but, if they're on the C: drive, I think one of the best way to back them up is to do an image backup of your C: drive using something like the free Macrium Reflect. You should also create a bootable medium from Macrium Reflect in the event your hard drive fails or, for some reason, you need to reinstall Windows. I back up my files using an older version of Nero BackItUp but, I also image my hard drive periodically with Macrium Reflect. Now that we're talking about it, I need to do another image. I haven't got it set to do that automatically.

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Thanks for the info wither 2. I went ahead and downloaded the Macrium Reflect program but I think I'm going to go ahead and try changing out my keyboard first before I do a backup and system restore. Either way I need to start backing up my files. I need to read the manual on the Macrium Reflect program anyway.

Penny10 said:

Thank you johnhoh. That makes sense and my husband has actually been looking at keyboards online for me.

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UPDATE: I went ahead and ordered a new keyboard and am currently waiting for it to come in so I can try to see if that will solve my problem. Hopefully it will but if not, then I will have to try the system restore. The keyboard is coming from Canada so it may take a few weeks to come in.