Q&A for How to Pop a Key Back Onto a Dell Laptop Keyboard

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my w key recently came off, because I game a lot and I use it the most and the bottom part wont come back on, like it literally wont click back on.

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Staff Answer
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wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Check the underside of the key for damage. There should be 1 or 2 brackets on the bottom that help your key stay on your keyboard. If they are broken, you'll need a new keycap.

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Question

What should I do if it doesn't pop up when it's clicked?

Thomas Houterman

Community Answer

That would indicate that the installation of the mechanical mechanism has failed to properly engage with the internal bracket part. Carefully and gently try to "lift" the key by sliding the tip of a knife under it and slowly move it up and down at eye level to see if it is correctly fitted.

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Question

Can it damage your laptop?

Thomas Houterman

Community Answer

No, replacing keyboard keys (following the suggested steps in this article correctly) will not result in any damage to the laptop. However, the particular key's recoil mechanism can very easily be damaged during removal of the old key as well as during the reassembly of the new key. In particular, on the little plastic plate that functions as a rocker underneath every key (see manual images for reference). The tiny tabs that form the hinge points (also the tabs that interlock with the keyboard base plate), are extremely delicate and take very little force to snap off the bracket, leaving you with no other option than to accept the missing key or replace the entire keyboard.

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Question

I have an HP Pavilion laptop. What do I do?

Sophie Walford

Community Answer

Contact HP to ask how, it all depends on what model of Pavilion it is.

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Question

How do I install individual laptop keyboard keys on a Dell Inspirion?

Community Answer

Pop off the old key and snap on the new one. There will be a terrifying cracking sound.

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Question

What should I do if I have a newer Dell laptop that does not have the keys as shown?

Sahil Gagrai

Community Answer

All flat keyboards have this particular design, except those keyboard that are block-shaped.

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Question

What do I do if it doesn't work?

Community Answer

If you can't get the key back on, try to use it without the key. If it bothers you enough, you might have to order a replacement keyboard.

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Question

What do I do if I put a key back in my Dell laptop keyboard and it keeps popping back off?

Community Answer

Usually, you keep pushing down hard, and wait for the click. If that doesn't work, make sure the mechanism is correctly put together and try again. If all fails, use the keyboard without the key, or buy a new keyboard.

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