Why Are the Keys on My Keyboard Sticking?

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Woman pressing keyboard keys on a desk - Why Are the Keys on My Keyboard Sticking?

Sticky keys are the worst, and they can be a result of accidental spills. Lucky for you, there are ways to fix this problem without having to completely replace your favorite keyboard. 

Here we will help you better understand exactly why your keys stick, how to fix them, and how to get rid of them if the problem persists. While not every materialistic thing we own will last forever, we can certainly try to make the most out of them!

 

What is Causing my Keys to Stick to the Keyboard?

Are you someone who works a desk job, is always at your computer, and might just eat all of your snacks and meals at your workspace? If the answer is yes, you might have experienced a beverage spill at least once or twice. 

While you thought everything got cleaned up, that might not be the case. Sticky keys could be caused by drinks like pop, juice, or maybe even coffee. Occasionally keys that stick might be the result of a botched keyboard fixing job, glue anybody?

 

Can Sticky Keys be Fixed?

There is indeed one thing you can do to try and fix keyboard keys that stick before purchasing a replacement. There are two different cleaning methods you should try listed below.

 

  1. Taking a wet disinfectant wipe, gently wipe down the keyboard getting in between the keys as much as possible to soften and release any gunk that might be stuck between them

 

      2. For a deeper clean, gently remove the keycaps before carefully wiping down the keyboard and deep cleaning the keycaps.

 

How do I Get Rid of Sticky Keys?

While it can get rather expensive, some brands offer replacement keys for their keyboards. However, you will most likely pay more for the labor to fix the keyboard. There’s also the option of searching for local tech support or tech repair services. 

There are also keyboard cleaning products on the market specifically made for cleaning sticky messes, as well as products that offer a protective layer for your keyboard in order to prevent this problem from happening. 

 

Final Thoughts on Sticky Keys

There’s a variety of reasons why your keys might be sticking, the most common reason being food or drink spills. Also, if the keyboard has experienced some physical damage, it might have caused the keys to warp or break, causing them to stick.

You can attempt to deep clean the keyboard in order to resolve this issue. If you would rather spend just as much money to replace those specific problematic keys as it would be to simply buy a new keyboard, that’s always a valid option too.

 


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