When it comes to laptops, the average user will not feel very comfortable replacing the keyboard by themselves, as it requires you to disassemble the computer to disconnect the keyboard.
This is, obviously, much more difficult than replacing a wired keyboard. Therefore, it’s understandable that people who plan on purchasing or already own laptops seem to have this in the back of their heads.
You can always connect an external keyboard when/if your laptop keyboard stops working but it makes the laptop less mobile, which defeats the purpose of owning a laptop, for some.
The average laptop keyboard has a lifespan of about 50 million clicks, which translates to about 3-6 years for the average user. Most laptop keyboards will last for much longer if they are maintained and used properly, and shorter if they’re used a lot. In fact, a laptop keyboard that isn’t exposed to heavy usage, food spill, dust, and liquid can outlive most other components on the computer.
Some manufacturers state the number of clicks their laptop keyboards can handle on their website.
The number of clicks and the average lifespan of a laptop keyboard doesn’t correlate with great precision as keyboards that do fail rarely do so because they’ve been “used up” but instead because of how they’re used.
Let’s take an in-depth look at the lifespan of laptop keyboards and what you can do to extend it.
How Long Do Laptop Keyboards Really Last?
While the number of clicks a keyboard can manage is a pure estimate, it’s certainly going to be in the millions for most laptop models produced by serious brands.
However long a couple of million clicks last will depend entirely on the amount of time the user spends typing, the way the keyboard Is used, what the keyboard is exposed to, and so forth.
A keyboard that’s used for heavy typing, text editing, or gaming can start to wear out earlier than expected.
This doesn’t come as a surprise as writers and gamers both use their keyboards a lot – and often a specific set of characters, which makes those keys wear out faster than others.
But this doesn’t have to be the case either. You can be a full-time writer and use the same laptop keyboard for years, or a gamer who has a set of working WASD keys after years of gaming.
These are just average numbers – what you can expect based on what the average user has experienced.
The average user, writer or not, can impact the lifespan of their laptop keyboards by doing the following
- Don’t drink by the computer
- Don’t eat by the computer
- Clean the keyboard to remove dust and dirt
- Don’t press keys with too much force – be gentle
- Don’t let your pets walk on top of your laptop keyboard, regardless of how cute it looks.
The lifespan of the keyboard is, as you can see, mostly determined by the way the keyboard is utilized.
Can and Should Laptop Keyboards Be Replaced?
If your laptop keyboard has been damaged to the point where it’s rendered useless, you’re probably considering replacing it or paying someone to repair it.
What’s the general consensus when it comes to laptop keyboards? Should they be replaced?
Laptop keyboards can and should be replaced if they’ve stopped working. Replacement keyboards are available online and in-store. You can replace the keyboard yourself or turn to a technician if you’re having doubts.
If you purchase a replacement keyboard online, try to look for an OEM keyboard if possible. OEM is short for Original Equipment Manufacturer.
Knowing that the replacement keyboard was produced by the same manufacturer and for the same computer model, specifically, is great. This will ensure that the computer and the keyboard are compatible.
You can find replacement keyboards on Amazon but also on sites that sell replacement keys and keyboards exclusively.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace a Laptop Keyboard?
The price will vary depending on your method of approach. The more experience and trust you have in your ability to replace the keyboard yourself, the less you will have to spend on replacing the keyboard.
Regardless of how you replace the keyboard, you will have to pay for the replacement keyboard – well, unless your laptop warranty is still active.
The average cost of replacing a laptop keyboard is somewhere between 10-200$. The repair will be much cheaper if you can remove and replace the keyboard yourself instead of paying a technician to do it.
Regardless of how you do it, you will have to pay for the replacement keyboard, which you can find online and in-store for $10-50, depending on the brand and model.
Tip: If your current keyboard has no backlight and you purchase a replacement keyboard with backlighting – make sure that your computer can support backlighted keyboards.
Backlit keyboards are plugged into a separate slot when installed, and not all computers come with that slot – which makes it impossible to power the backlight.
When Should You Replace a Laptop Keyboard?
You should replace your laptop keyboard when the keyboard starts to hinder you from doing the things you intend to do. However, it’s important to separate software and hardware issues.
Your keyboard can very well restrict you from doing a lot of things long before it actually has worn out or been damaged – but that’s not the keyboard, that’s the computer.
Issues that aren’t mechanical or visual can often be fixed from within the computer by doing software updates, uninstalling drivers, etc. It’s important that you troubleshoot the laptop keyboard to identify the problem.
If it’s software-related, you don’t need to replace or repair your keyboard.
However, if the problem turns out to be hardware-related, then you might need to replace it or at least get it fixed.
So, with that said, I think you could say that a laptop keyboard needs to be replaced when it’s been physically or mechanically damaged to the point where replacing a single key doesn’t fix it.
When the keyboard doesn’t function at all because it’s been water-damaged, used up, or smashed – then the keyboard must be replaced.
If your laptop loses a single key, the keyboard doesn’t have to be replaced. You can, with very little effort, replace that specific key – there are a bunch of guides available on Youtube and Google.
Some people will never have to replace their keyboard, because the keyboard outlasts the computer, while others will have to replace the laptop’s keyboard more than once during the computer’s lifespan. This is more often than not determined by the way the keyboard is used, and what it is exposed to.
The production quality of the keyboard will, of course, determine when the keyboard needs to be replaced but the truth is that it’s often the user who breaks it.
I’ve had laptop keyboards that have lasted for years and years, while others have stopped working or lost a key within the first year. Those that have stopped working quickly have also been used by my brothers, who don’t treat the keyboards as gently as I do.
How Do I Preserve My Laptop Keyboard?
Preserving and proactively maintaining your keyboard is your best bet to keep the keyboard working for as long as possible.
This can be done in various ways, starting with the most obvious things; don’t consume food or drinks with your laptop nearby. When the day comes that you finally spill something on your laptop, you will feel dumb for not restricting yourself, I’ve been there.
Getting a keyboard protector (a protective film covering the keyboard) is an insurance that you will thank yourself for getting. Keyboard protectors are affordable and provide good protection for both laptop and external keyboards.
The protector will prevent dust, gunk, and spill from getting into your laptop keyboard, and into the computer. They’re available both online and in-store. I always cover my laptop keyboards to have at least one layer of protection.
The protector is much easier to keep clean than the keyboard itself. Just remove it, or wipe it down on the spot using sanitizer and a cloth.
It’s also good to store the laptop when it’s not being used. Out in the open, the laptop will collect more dust and be accessible to pets. Storing the laptop will prevent the build-up of dust that occurs 24/7.