Some A515 keys not working intermittently Aspire A515-54-51D

npglo · January 2021

Hi,

I have some keys on the keyboard of the A515 I bought just over a year ago (just out of warranty) that intermittently don't work. The keys are in the same area of the board: p, -, and ]. I've tried every troubleshooting step I found, including suggestions in Acer community posts. Those posts go back a few years so I'm hoping maybe someone can suggest something else. The issue is annoyingly persistent but they do work intermittently. Sometimes I can tap repeatedly and they eventually respond, but not always. Sometimes they work right away when I open my laptop, then stop responding.

Troubleshooting steps I've tried so far:

Checking to be sure keys are clean
Reinstalling keyboard drivers
Replacing keys
Using an external keyboard - works fine
Turn off Ease of Access filter keys
Battery reset
Checking the keyboard connector inside the laptop - snug, looks fine, no issues with pins
Starting in safe mode to see if the keys work: they did but they sometimes do anyway

There seems to be a lot of debate in revious osts (see...the p just stoed working!). I got 1 more by reeatedly taing the key but then no more until 20-30 seconds later when they started working again. pppp. See? Bizarre and unpredictable behavior.

Anyway...there seems to be a lot of debate about whether this is a hardware or software issue and some people have reported replacing the keyboard only to experience the issue again later on the new keyboard so I'm not sure I should even bother. I've only had the laptop 14-15 months and I'm afraid I'll be using an external keyboard from now on. Any suggestions?

This is the Aspire A515-54-51DJ model running Windows 10 Home. This laptop also has an issue with the charger adapter which is very loose where it connects with the laptop. Every time the laptop or adapter cord move even a little it affects the power flow (you hear the beep). I'm wondering if somehow power interruptions are creating issues?

Appreciate any ideas!

Commodore_1995# · January 2021

Is your keyboard American or does it have a different language?

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/48/jpiew3cjkre5.png

npglo · January 2021

Hi,

It's English/U.S.

Commodore_1995# · January 2021

When you connect an external usb keyboard, does the same problem occur?

npglo · January 2021

No - external keyboard works fine as does the virtual keyboard.

I think I might have resolved it. After more Googling for keyboard issue troubleshooting ideas, I came across a suggestion to press the F12/Num Lock keys. No explanation was given for why this would work but it seems to have done the trick. I haven't had any issues with the problematic keys since I did it.

npglo · January 2021

Drat and double drat. Not fixed. Worked ok for 3 days after the strange F12/Num Lock key troubleshooting suggestion then the same problem started back up. Keys are dead again. Sigh.

Commodore_1995# · January 2021

Have you tried to disconnect and reconnect the keyboard from the main board? Is your notebook under warranty?

npglo · January 2021

I took the back off and checked the connector - looked fine - but didn't totally remove the keyboard. A little worried I'll do damage. The laptop a few months past warranty now.