Glitchy Keys on Dell XPS Laptop

[ecotourist]

Our Dell XPS laptop has developed a problem. A number of the keys have become glitchy. You have to press them 2 or 3 times or press down firmly and even hold briefly. The number keys are the worst.

Nothing has ever been spilled on it. The computer works well otherwise. It's a good computer and only a few years old (XPS model, 9th Gen Core i7) and it would be a shame to trash it.

What to do? Can the keys be cleaned? Keyboard replaced?

 

[SShooterZ]

Depending on the model, could be an easy keyboard swap or a complicated one. Do you use it as a desktop or do you travel around with it? Could always connect an inexpensive USB keyboard to it as an option.

 

[dubber09]

Check the warranty first. If still under warranty they should fix it.
Although, Dell is trying really hard lately not to send techs to repair computers; I spent 2 hours on phone with their ProSupport a couple days ago where they wanted to troubleshoot including remoting into the laptop and I've already done all that so it was a waist of time. The issue is with built-in speakers, left one is worst, no damage or obstruction etc. Sched'd tech's visit for Dec 23rd. One of the staff's computer.
I have an XPS 15 9520 laptop but rarely use its kb, it's been a good laptop so far, company got it in Apr '23.

 

[ecotourist]

It's well out of warranty.

We use it as a desktop computer. A countertop computer actually, on the peninsula in the kitchen.

Yes we could use a separate keyboard but that would be pretty awkward.

 

[ecotourist]

Depending on the model, could be an easy keyboard swap or a complicated one.

How can you tell which it is?

For what it's worth the keyboard appears to be an integral part of the base, though I suppose the keyboard itself is a separate unit inside the base cover.

 

[SShooterZ]

What is the model number on the bottom of the machine?

 

[Pew]

You can pop individual keys off by prying up from under very carefully with a flathead screwdriver or like a plastic car trim removal tool. This will allow you to clean them better. If you go this route, test it on a key you don't use before doing the affected keys.

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

A BIOS update may reprogram the keyboard controller. That's fixed random keyboard and touchpad issues on the Dell Latitudes we use here at work.

You should do it for security reasons anyway nowadays.

 

[ecotourist]

What is the model number on the bottom of the machine?

XPS
Reg Model P6F
Type# P56F003
Intel Core i7, 9th Gen
It's older than I thought, the only date showing on the case is 2019.

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

An XPS 15 7590?

https://www.dell.com/support/product-details/en-us/product/xps-15-7590-laptop/overview

https://dl.dell.com/content/manual47592598-xps-15-service-manual.pdf?language=en-us

Replacing the keyboard would be... involved.

 

[ecotourist]

You can pop individual keys off by prying up from under very carefully with a flathead screwdriver or like a plastic car trim removal tool. This will allow you to clean them better. If you go this route, test it on a key you don't use before doing the affected keys.

Is there any way to clean the contacts without removing the keys - with spray contact cleaner or the like?

 

[Pew]

Is there any way to clean the contacts without removing the keys - with spray contact cleaner or the like?

In my experience, only if it was something sticky.

 

[ecotourist]

In my experience, only if it was something sticky.

The issue seems to be a failure to register key strokes.

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

Trying to pull the key caps off would almost certainly be a bad idea as they never go back on right and you would probably break the clips taking them off anyway.

Canned air and contact cleaner would be it. Doing anything else would most likely break it worse.

 

[Pew]

The issue seems to be a failure to register key strokes.

Pulling off the keys would allow you to inspect the rubber membrane for that key and clean it better; doing it with the keys on won't really clean anything as it'll usually just move the debris around (if that was the cause of the issue.)

There's two thin metal pieces held in by tabs arranged in a vertical X to keep the keys in place while the rubber membrane is what causes the keys to bounce back up. It's significantly harder to get under the keys to pop it off the XPS than it is on the HP laptop keyboards I'm used to though.

 

[SShooterZ]

I’m with @Bottom_Feeder here. (Great links btw!) Pulling keys rarely works well.

See if you have a local repair shop and expect to pay ~$50 for a new keyboard along with labor.

Here’s a video of a similar model keyboard replacement:

My thought is, if you’re going to dump it, try the procedure yourself. You have nothing to lose. If not, pay a few bucks to have it done. Lastly, external keyboard/mouse combo is cheap and effective.

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

Also, is the keyboard perfectly flat? If it's convex at all that means the battery is swollen and it's putting pressure on the laptop's innards which can cause weird behavior. But according to the vid above, the battery is not directly underneath the motherboard and keyboard but it's worth looking at.

Run the BIOS update!

 

[97prizm]

Our Dell XPS laptop has developed a problem. A number of the keys have become glitchy. You have to press them 2 or 3 times or press down firmly and even hold briefly. The number keys are the worst.

Nothing has ever been spilled on it. The computer works well otherwise. It's a good computer and only a few years old (XPS model, 9th Gen Core i7) and it would be a shame to trash it.

What to do? Can the keys be cleaned? Keyboard replaced?

Go to dells website and see if it recommends any updates first.