numbers 5 and 6 are no longer working on the laptop keyboard

[SiFothergill]

The numbers 5 and 6 and the key to the far left of the keyboard dont work at all. 

laptop is a 7 month old  HP intel core i5, 8gb RAM, 512 GB 14 inch notebook

having researched several other posts I have already:

reinstalled the keyboard driver

fully updated the whole system

individually uninstalled all updates for the last 4 months and then reinstalled them after

still nothing working

[WAWood]

@SiFothergill 

Unlike external keyboards, the ones on laptops are not made to be rugged, but instead, to be light. Thus, if you get five years out of a laptop keyboard, you're doing very well.

Individual keys are generally not replaceable, but if the keys are not broken, then the issue is more likely with the membrane underneath the keyboard and that has to be replaced as a unit.

Here's some troubleshooting steps you can try: http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03738933

If you are experienced at laptop repairs, you can often replace a keyboard for $25 for a new one and a half-hours work. I have done this on older HP laptops.

But, if you're NOT, there is a serious risk of breaking fragile connectors and cables doing this -- so I do not recommend it.

Instead, I would recommend you hunting down a local laptop repair place to have THEM replace the keyboard. Sometimes, on some models, you have to replace the entire top surface of the laptop, not just the keyboard. So you should get an estimate of what is involved before you have the work done.

[SiFothergill]

Thanks for the response, i acknowledge that it may be down to damage but the specificity of the 3 keys and the fact i have seen other error meesages on those three keys highlights that its a system issue. such as the one below. i was wondering if there was a more recent fix

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/five-and-six-keys-not-working-in-windows-10-no...

[WAWood]

@SiFothergill 

Thanks for the link -- but when I read it, I see no solution being offered.

The laptop keyboard has a membrane beneath it and those can become worn or damaged by liquid or particles getting onto the membrane, interfering with key operation.  On older laptops, it was a simple process to remove four screws, lift out the keyboard, lift out the membrane, clean if of dust and grime and put it and the keyboard back. 15 minute of work, at most, and it was as good as new.  Modern laptops are a LOT harder to remove the keyboard and get to the membrane -- so much so that I advise folks against even trying to do it.  A laptop service facility can do this, but they would charge you for the time and work involved.

[Pevers31]

Hi, Just use the on/screen keyboard if you have to use those particular keys, this is slower but does the same job

[SiFothergill]

Thanks, its just a £500+ laptop malfunctioning inside 9 months with no sign of damage seems odd. will use the onscreen keyboard for now and try and lodge a warranty claim

[Pevers31]

It baffles me why no one suggested this b4 it’s such an easy and complete solution, Sometimes a key does get unuseable