Some keys stopped working Acer E1-532

After a minor water spill on the keyoard and the base of the laptop, I picked up the laptop within seconds from the puddle and wiped it dry. I did not shut down the computer at all ut disconnected the AC supply immediately after the spill. I then noticed that approx. 1/5 of the keys were not working. Over a month later the situation is still the same. I read that takin the keyboard apart and cleaning with alcohol can fix the problem. But I also read that it can be a case of damaged motherboard. Laptop has been working flawlessly otherwise. What could be the issue here?

Thread was edited to add model name to the title

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JackE

The contacts on the key switches under each keycover and possibly the keyboard connector to the mainboard have likely been corroded from the spill. You can try re-seating the keyboard mainboard connector a few times to help clean these contacts. Not much can be done with individual key switches except replacing the keyboard

The easiest solution is an external USB or bluetooth keyboard. Or if you're more adventuresome, replace the keyboard. Depending on the model, replacement keyboards are fairly inexpensive. Google search 'your full model number' and 'keyboard' for vendors who ship to your location.

Chomchom

JackE said:

The contacts on the key switches under each keycover and possibly the keyboard connector to the mainboard have likely been corroded from the spill. You can try re-seating the keyboard mainboard connector a few times to help clean these contacts. Not much can be done with individual key switches except replacing the keyboard

The easiest solution is an external USB or bluetooth keyboard. Or if you're more adventuresome, replace the keyboard. Depending on the model, replacement keyboards are fairly inexpensive. Google search 'your full model number' and 'keyboard' for vendors who ship to your location.

Thanks! Just so i understand, are you suggesting that its not a motherboard issue ?
Also, is reseating the main connector a few times likely to fix all the unresponsive keys? Would i need the alcohol solution at all ?
Its an Acer E1-532 laptop, btw.

JackE

Reseating the KB connector on the motherboard might fix the unresponsive keys. But not 100% guaranteed. And it requires considerable disassembly. You have to remove all the bottom screws, ODD, HDD and separate the bottom and top covers in order to access the connector. You can moisten a soft cloth with rubbing alcohol to wipe contacts.

Chomchom

JackE said:

Reseating the KB connector on the motherboard might fix the unresponsive keys. But not 100% guaranteed. And it requires considerable disassembly. You have to remove all the bottom screws, ODD, HDD and separate the bottom and top covers in order to access the connector. You can moisten a soft cloth with rubbing alcohol to wipe contacts.

Did the reseating of the main keyboard connector after cleaning with hand sanitizer (78% alcohol). No luck. Before I order a replacement keyboard, is there any way to confirm that a new keyboard is the solution (as in, for example, knowing for a fact if the motherboard is fine)?

padgett

The contacts in a keyboard feed a matrix of signal lines. If just some stop working it is probably one signal line, OTOH the NumLock being stuck can cause others to misalign. See here.

JackE

>>>Before I order a replacement keyboard, is there any way to confirm that a new keyboard is the solution (as in, for example, knowing for a fact if the motherboard is fine)? >>>

Go to this link. Repeatedly test/pound-on the problem keys. If they seem to work intermittently, then the mainboard is probably fine.

Chomchom

padgett said:

The contacts in a keyboard feed a matrix of signal lines. If just some stop working it is probably one signal line, OTOH the NumLock being stuck can cause others to misalign. See here.

Thanks for the suggestions. How do I know which signal line maybe the culprit, and how do I fix it? Thanks for any help!

JackE

Difficult if not impossible without buying a mainboard schematic on line. Costs run about $20-30 usd. Then there's no guarantee that you can fix mainboard lines since they require special tools.

If it was mine, I'd probably take a chance and replace the keyboard since it's so inexpensive. A mainboard problem is a lot more difficult to chase down, a lot more expensive. and likely mpractical for a 10-year old laptop design.

Chomchom

JackE said:

>>>Before I order a replacement keyboard, is there any way to confirm that a new keyboard is the solution (as in, for example, knowing for a fact if the motherboard is fine)? >>>

Go to this link. Repeatedly test/pound-on the problem keys. If they seem to work intermittently, then the mainboard is probably fine.

Tried that, no response from the keys in question. Any point in replacing the keyboard if the motherboard is cooked? I feel strange writing that because the laptop works w/o any problem otherwise.

ttttt

@Chomchom

Have you tried connecting an external USB keyboard to the laptop and test it out? Everything point to just the laptop keyboard problem. I'll bet you have some burnt out wires with the ribbon cable.

As @JackE said, replacing the keyboard is pratical.

Chomchom

ttttt said:

@Chomchom

Have you tried connecting an external USB keyboard to the laptop and test it out? Everything point to just the laptop keyboard problem. I'll bet you have some burnt out wires with the ribbon cable.

As @JackE said, replacing the keyboard is pratical.

Yup, the USB keyboard worked perfectly. That's tell tale sign of the problem being limited to the keyboard only then, eh?
I am going to order a keyboard.

JackE

Good for you. Let us know how it goes.

Chomchom

JackE said:

Good for you. Let us know how it goes.

Sure will! Thanks!

Chomchom

JackE said:

Good for you. Let us know how it goes.

So it turns out that finding a Canadian keyboard, the type the laptop has is next to impossible within a reasonable price given the age of the laptop. One rare economical unit I found has what it calls an US keyboard. Trouble is that the keyboard on the laptop(circled in the attachment) is just a tad different than the available keyboard. Do the two types interoperate?

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/ac/ggmmzokcrrgx.jpeg

ttttt

@Chomchom

That circled part seemed to be an oversized return key. If the layout of other keys are good, should not be a problem.

JackE

It'll be fine. The same motherboards accept more than 50 keyboards. If you can wait a few weeks, google search 'e1-532', 'keyboard', 'aliexpress' 'canada' or 'us' for better selections.