Keys on keyboard stopped working on Nitro 5 AN515-53

nerdoalto
nerdoalto Member Posts: 5

Tinkerer

edited December 2023 in 2020 Archives
The keyboard was working fine when i just got it until I considered ungrading my RAM. I shut down the laptop opened the ram door and took out the preinstalled 8Gb RAM stick.
I opted to not install an additional stick so I put back the orginal one, albeit in a different slot than were it originally was.
Powered on the laptop and suddenly the 'S' key, 'Ctrl' key (one on the left), '2' key and '~' key all stopped working.
I've tried reinstalling the keyboard driver, I tried restoring the BIOS to default setting (btw the keys doesnt even working in the BIOS) nothing worked and I'm really frustrated.
The laptop is new, I haven't even started to game on this so I doubt a mechanical issue with the individual keys. Please help!! 

Answers

  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,869 Trailblazer
    The KB ribbon cable connector to the mainboard probably needs to be re-seated a few times to clean its contacts. Not unusual but if it's a new machine I would not try to do it yourself because the connector is directory below the KB. If you just got it, then immediately return it to the seller for a replacement or refund because ACER warranty repair will take longer. Jack E/NJ

    Jack E/NJ

  • JamesBond
    JamesBond Member Posts: 1 New User
    I have the exact same issue from Jan 2019. I have tried cleaning the Keyboard ribbon connector, bios upgrade, even tried linux OS. But no use.
    The keyboard issue is even there in the bios configuration screen.
    The system configurations are factory default. Till now couldn't fix it.
  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,869 Trailblazer
    You probably need a new LCD video ribbon cable. Cleaning won't help if a trace break occurs in the hinge area from opening and closing the lid too much. Less than $20 for a new cable. Jack E/NJ

    Jack E/NJ

  • SharkLasers
    SharkLasers Member Posts: 1 New User
    A bad LCD ribbon cable can cause issues with certain keys not working correctly all the time?  I've been following this issue for awhile and this is the first time I've seen this suggestion for a fix.  I have the same experience as the others in this thread (keyboard works fine about 25% of the time, the rest of the time a certain group of keys does not respond reliably or sometimes at all).

    I'm willing to try it for $15, but I just want to be sure because I can't really find anything else linking the LCD cable with this issue.
  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,869 Trailblazer

    Sorry. I meant the KB ribbon cable not the LCD cable. I must've been thinking about someone else's screen problem at the time. The KB cable can have breaks too, but less likely since they're not subjected to constant bending like the LCD cable. Jack E/NJ

    Jack E/NJ