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

npglo
npglo Member Posts: 5

Tinkerer

edited January 2021 in Aspire Laptops
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!

Answers

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

    Oi! Eu não sou sou a cortana! Mas estou aqui para ajudar! Hi! I'm not the cortana! But I'm here to help!
    Se você gostou da minha resposta, marque como solução clicando em sim! If you liked my answer, mark it as a solution by clicking on yes!
    Aceite somente a resposta que ajudou a solucionar o seu problema! Please accept only the response that helped to solve your problem!
    Detection tool click here to find the serial number or partnumber of your model!                                                          
                                                      
                                                     egydiocoelho Trailblazer
     
    ProductKey clique aqui para descobrir o serial do windows! click here to discover the windows serial!
    Para usuários da comunidade inglesa, espanhola, francesa e alemã, usarei o google tradutor! :)
    For users of the English, Spanish, French and German community, I will be using google translator! :) 
  • npglo
    npglo Member Posts: 5

    Tinkerer

    Hi, 

    It's English/U.S.

  • When you connect an external usb keyboard, does the same problem occur?
    Oi! Eu não sou sou a cortana! Mas estou aqui para ajudar! Hi! I'm not the cortana! But I'm here to help!
    Se você gostou da minha resposta, marque como solução clicando em sim! If you liked my answer, mark it as a solution by clicking on yes!
    Aceite somente a resposta que ajudou a solucionar o seu problema! Please accept only the response that helped to solve your problem!
    Detection tool click here to find the serial number or partnumber of your model!                                                          
                                                      
                                                     egydiocoelho Trailblazer
     
    ProductKey clique aqui para descobrir o serial do windows! click here to discover the windows serial!
    Para usuários da comunidade inglesa, espanhola, francesa e alemã, usarei o google tradutor! :)
    For users of the English, Spanish, French and German community, I will be using google translator! :) 
  • npglo
    npglo Member Posts: 5

    Tinkerer

    edited 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
    npglo Member Posts: 5

    Tinkerer

    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.
  • Have you tried to disconnect and reconnect the keyboard from the main board? Is your notebook under warranty?
    Oi! Eu não sou sou a cortana! Mas estou aqui para ajudar! Hi! I'm not the cortana! But I'm here to help!
    Se você gostou da minha resposta, marque como solução clicando em sim! If you liked my answer, mark it as a solution by clicking on yes!
    Aceite somente a resposta que ajudou a solucionar o seu problema! Please accept only the response that helped to solve your problem!
    Detection tool click here to find the serial number or partnumber of your model!                                                          
                                                      
                                                     egydiocoelho Trailblazer
     
    ProductKey clique aqui para descobrir o serial do windows! click here to discover the windows serial!
    Para usuários da comunidade inglesa, espanhola, francesa e alemã, usarei o google tradutor! :)
    For users of the English, Spanish, French and German community, I will be using google translator! :) 
  • npglo
    npglo Member Posts: 5

    Tinkerer

    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.
  • This video can help you:
    Oi! Eu não sou sou a cortana! Mas estou aqui para ajudar! Hi! I'm not the cortana! But I'm here to help!
    Se você gostou da minha resposta, marque como solução clicando em sim! If you liked my answer, mark it as a solution by clicking on yes!
    Aceite somente a resposta que ajudou a solucionar o seu problema! Please accept only the response that helped to solve your problem!
    Detection tool click here to find the serial number or partnumber of your model!                                                          
                                                      
                                                     egydiocoelho Trailblazer
     
    ProductKey clique aqui para descobrir o serial do windows! click here to discover the windows serial!
    Para usuários da comunidade inglesa, espanhola, francesa e alemã, usarei o google tradutor! :)
    For users of the English, Spanish, French and German community, I will be using google translator! :) 
  • miguelgm8
    miguelgm8 Member Posts: 1 New User
    I'm facing the same problem since September 2020 and still no solutions. No more Acer in future...