HP 15-f023wm Keys not Working: yu hj nm

[Luke4k]

I have read many, many instances of problems exactly like this one on HP onlyl. 

The keys YU HJ NM do not work.

I have no issue with it when on USB keyboard.  Down further, I have documented that eventually, I even replaved the keyboard.

I am very experienced professional with computers and laptops but I have never seen a problem like this on any laptops from any other company. Apparently, there are an extreme number of this issue with HP laptops and these keys just stop working.  Most of the issues remain unresolved.

This particular laptop was not used much at all until this last Sept. when the owner started online classes.

This system was dropped from counter top (or table - not sure) while powered on by relative (toddler knocked it over). It broke the LCD screen, not the front digitizer and possibily the hard drive (or the hard drive failed in tests running Seagate utility.

I replaced a broked LED screen on this system, back cover and installed an SSD. (I had the system running before replacing the screen and removed a bunch of malware, etc. updated everything).  I cloned the system using Acronis to the SSD, came right up.. all is good (ok, better since this laptop is pretty slow).  Initially, the keyboard had been fine.  However, I prefer to use an external USB MS 5000 keyboard/mouse.

When it was all set and ready, I removed the USB keyboard and was typing and noticed this problem.  Thinking, it's just the keyboard connection or something (since to get to the hard drive, one must remove the keyboard and the top of the computer, etc. 

So, steps I took:

1. Initially, the backspace key and a number of other keys stopped working, I reseated the keyboard cable I had the problem and cleaned the keyboard connectors with rubbing alcohol as recommended in one of the forums.   
2. I made certain the keyboard ribbon cable had no kinks in it and was flat...restarted... Most keys worked but  YU HJ NM keys still did not. More research.
3. I did this process (from forums):  remove keyboard from device manager, shut down, remove power and battery, hold power button for 1+ minutes, repower. 
4. FIXED!!!

So, last task on my list, I updated the BIOS to the lastest version. All seems fine until I reboot. YU HJ NM keys stop working AGAIN!

1. Go same proceedure as #3 above a number of time. Sometimes it's the  YU HJ NM keys, sometimes it's even more or different keys.

Surrendered to the fact that it must be a bad keyboard.

1. Ordered new keyboard overnight delivery. Put it in... SAME PROBLEM.
2. Did #above above.... no
3. Cleaned connectors ... no
4. I was going to do a system restore to the BIOS installation SAID it was taking but, alas, it lied. No system restore points as it was not enabled.

So, at a loss.  I could return to an earlier BIOS (I believe it was at F26 and is now at latest F36) but I have no confidence that would resolve it

As slow as this system is, it's hardly worth all this effort. But it's no my system.

The real and serious issue is why hasn't HP found the reason for these keyboard problems.  This is honestly insane.  It has been happening back through 2012 at least and is still happening on new system to this day.

HP!!??

[Rainbow23]

Hi @Luke4k,

Thank you for your reply, I'll be more than glad to help you.

I understand that the "y u hj nm" keys of the keyboard are not working. I also see that you have tried all the possible steps to resolve this issue and I appreciate your time and patience.

This could be a hardware issue with the unit.

Hence, please contact HP Phone Support for further assistance at the link: www.hp.com/contacthp

You have a good day ahead.

[Luke4k · Accepted solution]

After some more research and testing, I decided it had to be the keyboard and replacement.   #1 was defective out of the box.  I ordered a second.

The keyboard #3 works perfectly.   

It is a different brand/vendor (maybe that was a good thing) from Amazon vendor as the original vendor was out... probably a good thing - I could have possibly increased my chances of getting a 2nd defect one if there was a batch had I gone with the same and brand.  (then I might have for-sure assumed it was a different bad component - M/B maybe).

There are still an amazing number of keyboard failures for this letter combo (must be a certain cable wire in the bunch) on this and similar models to have just that set of keys go out is very odd. Especially after loading latest BIOS after replacing the original, broken keyboard. 

The keyboard #2 - 1st replacement keyboard "appeared" to be working at least at first. It must have been flaky.  It is certainly not odd for a replacement part to be defective but I would say very rare.

Having only one to try, it gave the illusion that the problem source was something other than the keyboard. But, generally, I would just have to be a bad replacement keyboard or cable as the rest of the computer works fine and the original keyboard was having issues with other keys on and off.  That was just my hunch from 30-years of PD/PSI professionally and working on PC's/laptops since they came. out.

I am going to leave my post up which details how one should go about trouble shooting the issue. And, replacement parts can be DOA. Keyboards are $15-20.

Checking the on-screen keyboard first and then using an external keyboard is also helpful. 

Thanks for your help.

[Chimney_83]

Thanks for the reply and glad that the issue is resolved.

Please do post your technical queries on our Forums for assistance.