I have an acer swift SF315 52, and keys like " t, u, !, p, J, 1, and 5, 3 on side keys" don't work.

kaliarichardson15
kaliarichardson15 Member Posts: 5

Tinkerer

edited October 2021 in Swift and Spin Series
Does anyone know why the acer swift SF315 52 keys randomly don't work? thanks

​//Edited the content to add model name.   ​

Answers

  • ttttt
    ttttt Member Posts: 1,947 Community Aficionado WiFi Icon
    @kaliarichardson15

    Just what is "side keys"?
    Time to replace the keyboard. I bet if you take out the keyboard and look at the ribbon connection cable there may be something burnt out.
  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,932 Trailblazer
    I am guessing the 'side keys' refer to the numeric keypad on your SF315-52. The problem keys don't make a lot of sense, in that they are likely not connected to each other as such. Have there been any accidental spills? Do the problem keys always not work, or only in some instances? Your system is old enough that it's likely out of warranty (7th or 8th gen chips) so we will concentrate on do it yourself repairs... What locale is the laptop from? Is your case silver or gold, and is the keyboard backlit or not?
    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.
  • Easwar
    Easwar Member Posts: 6,727 Guru
    Hi @kaliarichardson15,

    # Try to update the keyboard driver

    1. Hold windows key and hit letter X.
    2. Choose the device manager option.
    3. Go with the option keyboard driver.
    4. Under the title keyboard driver.
    ​​
    5. Right click on that option ----> Update all driver under the title keyboard  driver.
    6. Choose "search automatically". 

    Check this T/S and post the result. ​
  • kaliarichardson15
    kaliarichardson15 Member Posts: 5

    Tinkerer

    billsey said:
    I am guessing the 'side keys' refer to the numeric keypad on your SF315-52. The problem keys don't make a lot of sense, in that they are likely not connected to each other as such. Have there been any accidental spills? Do the problem keys always not work, or only in some instances? Your system is old enough that it's likely out of warranty (7th or 8th gen chips) so we will concentrate on do it yourself repairs... What locale is the laptop from? Is your case silver or gold, and is the keyboard backlit or not?
    Yes the side keys refer to the numeric keys on the right. I’ve had spills in the past but not recently. As of now, the problem keys don’t work. (Before they would work after pressing down on them repeatedly or holding the key.) I’m not sure what you mean by locale but it’s a gold laptop and the keyboard is backlit. 

    Could you tell me maybe how to find a replacement keyboard, or the name of a replacement keyboard so that I can take it to Best Buy and have it fixed?
  • kaliarichardson15
    kaliarichardson15 Member Posts: 5

    Tinkerer

    Easwar said:
    Hi @kaliarichardson15,

    # Try to update the keyboard driver

    1. Hold windows key and hit letter X.
    2. Choose the device manager option.
    3. Go with the option keyboard driver.
    4. Under the title keyboard driver.
    ​​
    5. Right click on that option ----> Update all driver under the title keyboard  driver.
    6. Choose "search automatically". 

    Check this T/S and post the result. ​
    I only have one keyboard driver and it’s “Standard PS/2 keyboard.” I updated the driver and it says “The best driver for your device already installed”

    do you have any other suggestions? Or possibly know which keyboard I should look for online to replace it? Thank you. 
  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,932 Trailblazer
    Locale specifies which language the keyboard is for. Backlit and gold help a bunch in narrowing it down. Now we only need to know is it Bulgarian, Nordic, Persian, etc... :) Since you mention Best Buy my guess is you are in the USA and have a US/International keyboard. The Acer part number for that one is: 6B.GZEN5.008, unless it's the US/International with Hebrew, then it's 6B.GZEN5.007. There are 32 different keyboards in Gold with the white backlight.
    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.
  • ttttt
    ttttt Member Posts: 1,947 Community Aficionado WiFi Icon
    @kaliarichardson15

    The last time I replaced my laptop keyboard I did a search from Google by putting the full model number there. Got a few choices and bought the lowest price one, somewhere around USD @20-$25.
  • kaliarichardson15
    kaliarichardson15 Member Posts: 5

    Tinkerer

    billsey said:
    Locale specifies which language the keyboard is for. Backlit and gold help a bunch in narrowing it down. Now we only need to know is it Bulgarian, Nordic, Persian, etc... :) Since you mention Best Buy my guess is you are in the USA and have a US/International keyboard. The Acer part number for that one is: 6B.GZEN5.008, unless it's the US/International with Hebrew, then it's 6B.GZEN5.007. There are 32 different keyboards in Gold with the white backlight.
    Yes, I'm in the U.S. and I don't speak Hebrew so I shouldn't need the Hebrew keyboard. Now, will I just need the backlit keyboard or the Palmrest w/Keyboard? Here are two options I found online. Thank you! :) 

    Backlit keyboard: https://www.cdsparts.com/p-11075-acer-swift-sf315-41-sf315-51-sf315-52-sf315-54-backlit-keyboard.aspx

    Palmrest w/keyboard: https://www.ebay.com/itm/124918951939?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=124918951939&targetid=1263433204974&device=c&mktype=&googleloc=9011931&poi=&campaignid=14859008593&mkgroupid=130497710760&rlsatarget=pla-1263433204974&abcId=9300678&merchantid=6357074&gclid=Cj0KCQiAwqCOBhCdARIsAEPyW9lSAeLBu9N3JjBHHiec0fn-DU_uhxFrqXJeYHMMpSxJ8rZ2uW_8fBsaAs9_EALw_wcB

  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,932 Trailblazer
    The second one would be a better choice, albeit more expansive. The keyboard is bonded to the top case, usually by melting some little pegs after they go through holes in the keyboard. To use the first keyboard you will have to drill out the original keyboard from the case, assemble the new keyboard in place, then figure out how that is best affixed without causing further damage to the case. You can likely use a silicone adhesive or epoxy to hold it in place, but it might require some experimentation.
    There doesn't seem to be a different motherboard for the backlit/nonBL versions, so the cable connectors will be on the motherboard to support both keyboard types. The backlit version will have an extra ribbon cable that connects to the motherboard.
    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.
  • kaliarichardson15
    kaliarichardson15 Member Posts: 5

    Tinkerer

    billsey said:
    The second one would be a better choice, albeit more expansive. The keyboard is bonded to the top case, usually by melting some little pegs after they go through holes in the keyboard. To use the first keyboard you will have to drill out the original keyboard from the case, assemble the new keyboard in place, then figure out how that is best affixed without causing further damage to the case. You can likely use a silicone adhesive or epoxy to hold it in place, but it might require some experimentation.
    There doesn't seem to be a different motherboard for the backlit/nonBL versions, so the cable connectors will be on the motherboard to support both keyboard types. The backlit version will have an extra ribbon cable that connects to the motherboard.
     What about buying a used or new Acer swift 3 keyboard and manually popping out the broken keys and replacing them? Do you think that would make each key work and type the letter or number again? Thanks! 
  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,932 Trailblazer
    You can usually test by pressing the center stud that sticks up. If that works then you could just replace the key itself. But my impression was that your issue wasn't with the specific keys, it was the keyboard itself that was in failure mode. Just swapping out a key will not fix the underlying keyboard membranes.
    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.