Repairing the Keyboard

Breaking Down the Keyboard

Chromebook keys consist of three things for it to function: The key itself, the hinge that holds it to the keyboard, and the rubber cup. The rubber cup is molded to the keyboard itself and is what registers inputs when pressed.

Common Ticket Requests:

“Student’s key has fallen off and a few keys seem to be loose”
“Key is missing or damaged”
"Key popped off"
“Chromebook keys have been rearranged”

What you should know: Keys do not fall off or pop off. They have to be pried/ripped off. In our experience, it has typically been done with fingernails, pencils/pens, etc.

We have also noticed that students often rip or tear the rubber cup from the keyboard, making the key completely unusable. Additionally, the metal brackets that hold the hinges are often bent or broken. This makes repairing the keyboard impossible, requiring us to replace the keyboard entirely.

Left to Right: Key removed, exposing the bracket; Bracket removed; Bracket composed of two parts; rubber cup removed from Chromebook board; Bent bracket connector

Replacing Individual Keys

If the key is missing or the hinge is broken, we can use parts from damaged Chromebooks we keep as a surplus at the District Office. However, to repair or replace the key, the rubber cup in the center of the keyboard must be intact. If the rubber cup is ripped or missing, we cannot fix the key, and the entire keyboard must be replaced. Attempts to fix the key with super glue or other methods have all failed.

It actually takes some force and effort to remove a key from a Chromebook. It takes even more effort to remove the rubber cup from the board.

Here’s what goes into replacing a keyboard on a Google Chromebook.

Replacing the Keyboard

First, we flip over the Chromebook and uncover the hidden screws with a toolkit. We unscrew everything, then flip the Chromebook back over and open it. We use a prying tool to detach the keyboard, which is tightly fastened. Once detached, we remove the two primary ribbon cables connected to the motherboard. These cables send signals to the keyboard and trackpad. Then we attach a new keyboard by reattaching the ribbon cables and snapping the keyboard into place. Finally, we secure the keyboard with the same screws.

Any questions, comments, or concerns regarding Google Chromebook repair, the costs of repair, and more, please contact

Jim Wasielewski

Technology Coordinator

jimw@vacavilleusd.org

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