hp chromebook 14 keyboard not working

[skd1]

The letters h, j, n, m, y, u, 6, 7 and the space bar is beginning to malfunction. I don't know why this is happening. It started malfunctioning as I was using it. I got this chromebook on black friday last year and had no issues with it till now and it seems to be a problem a lot of people are experiencing. I have powerwashed it several times with no effect. a week ago the keys were sort of working but they have gradually stopped working now and I'm having to use on screen keyboard. What can I do to fix this problem I'm having?

[RTice]

Hi SKD1:

Please contact HP Support at 1-800-HP-INVENT.  Your keyboard will likely need to be replaced.

You may have the option to replace the keyboard yourself.  To get an idea of what is involved, here is the replacement guide for the "11" series.  This video guide should work for the 14 series as well.

Also, for future reference, please bookmark the support and troubleshooting page for the Chromebook 14.

I hope that helps!

[Gripper9]

Hope this is not too late for you - but I HAVE FIXED THIS....

I have 2 of the Chromebook14's and I love them - but the keyboard failing was truly annoying. I decided to open them up and have a go (because I have many years of experience AND my warranty had run out onn both).

The problem is the ribbon connector from the keyboard to the motherboard. The folds in it are so harsh that the contacts overlap and make keys go screwy. One machine had backspace and enter fail - THAT was a real problem, the other had YUHJNM fail.

Open up the machine from the back with a micro screwdriver - dont forget the screws hidden under the 5 back rubber feet/pads (there are no screws under the front 2 rubber feet. Prize out the keyboard assebly from the clips holding it in (start with the ones in front of the spacebar). This is the whole silver inlay with trackpad and keyboard.

Now the tricky bit - when you stretch out the wide keyboard ribbon - try yout faulty keys - they should work again!!! Mine di EVERY time. I refolded the ribbon by bending it in a new place and shifting the connecting part to the actual keyboard. It is hard to describe but you will figure it out easily enough. Just need to straighten out the factory bends that are in there.

Clip the assenbly back into the machine and test the keys agin. If it is fixed you will see it immediately. If not - pull it out and refold the ribbon again. You will get there with some patience.

When I reassembled it I left the screws out behind the rubber feet/covers - and it holds together just fine. The rubbers have sticky backing on them and should go back on easily enough.

All the stuff about updates and restarts and static on the keyboard do not work - that is just by luck or movement of the ribbon.

Hope this helps - it is a great machine but HP should know about this fault and should be prepared to fix it. I have many HP machines and they are really nicely designed and work well most of the time!!!

Please let me know if you saw this - or if anyone else did!! I like to help out if I can 😉

[dirtymack]

thanks a lot.. the cable was definitely my problem as well.. i took your advice and moved the cable around to get the original bends out of it...and PROBLEM SOLVED....KEYBOARD WORKS PERFECTLY NOW...only took me about five minutes to perform your solution..thanks again

peace