HP Spectre x360 spacebar issues solved

[RandoMan]

I've have my Spectre x360 for several years now and the space bar recently started acting up, ignoring the key press on either end of the bar, but registering OK if I press the center of the bar.  Of course this is not practical or reasonable for typing at speed so I started digging around here and found that many others have experienced the same issue.  I even saw that several posts recommended getting a new keyboard or even replacing the entire machine!

I wanted to post here to say that I resolved my issue by using some electrical contact cleaner.  I used CRC QD contact cleaner, but any equivalent should work.  I powered my machine down (Shut Down, not Sleep), flipped back the display, and gently pulled up the corner of the spacebar (gently, not to pull the key off, but to allow access to the spray to get under the key) while spraying the cleaner underneath (use the provided straw that comes with the spray!).  I repeated on each corner.  I then toggled the spacebar repeatedly on the sides before the cleaner evaporated in order to work through whatever gunk was blocking the electrical connection.  Repeat.  After about 2 minutes of this, I let it dry another 3-4 minutes (make sure the spray has evaporated fully), powered it up, and viola it works like new again.  I highly recommend giving this a shot before spending a dime on other alternatives.

I wanted to reply to one of the threads about this but they are locked, so hopefully y'all will see this somehow.  Good luck!

[RandoMan · Accepted solution]

Update on this.  I *thought* this solved my problem, but alas, within a day or two I started having problems again.  After more digging around, I found this topic:
https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Video-Display-and-Touch/SOLVED-HP-SPECTRE-X360-spacebar-not-w...

This was my problem.  My battery was so swollen the keyboard and track pad were rounded up causing these issues.  I removed the battery and have ordered a replacement.  Thank you so much to ITNerd, the original poster in that thread!!!  I hope this helps somebody out there with this same issue.