HP Chromebook 13 G1 keyboard problem

[redwaterjug]

I wonder if someone can help? There is a similar post here for the Chromebook 14, but the solution given there doesn't seem to apply.

Basically a line of keys - 6yhn - are intermittently not working. Sometimes it affects the next line to the right too - 7ujm.

I have tried opening up the case (using the very useful HP support videos) and cleaning the end of the keyboard ribbon cable. I have also checked under the keys for any dirt. I can't see any places where the ribbon cable is cramped - as was the case with the solution for the Chromebook 14.

One strange thing - when I press h and n simultaneously all the keys start working again. (I discovered this by accident). They work for a few seconds to minutes. And then stop working again.

What could that mean?

Any ideas are very welcome.

Thanks in advance.

[redwaterjug]

I had tried:

• rebooting
• forced shutdown (holding power button)
• power wash
• hard resetting (hold refresh and touch power) 
• reinstalling ChromeOS from Chromebook recovery media

And as I said, taking off and cleaning the keys. And opening up the case to clean and re-seat the keyboard cable connector.

Along the way I installed a couple of ChromeOS updates, which didn't seem to have any effect.

Then finally I did another ChromeOS update yesterday. And it seemed to partially fix it. It was much better anyway.

It worked fine for a while, and now has gone back to usually those keys don't register. 

What could be going on?

I also notice that if I hold each key down longer it seems to work better.

[redwaterjug]

I replaced the keyboard/top cover and it has fixed the problem.

Must have been a failure of the keyboard processor I guess?