A lot of our household items are replaced on a frequent basis – some may be replaced because they only last for a certain amount of time, others because they’ve started malfunctioning, and some are simply replaced because you’re looking for an upgrade or something new.
When it comes to computers, you often replace or purchase new components because they’ve stopped working or because the tasks you intend to do require you to upgrade your gear.
When it comes to keyboards, there are few features that one keyboard has that another one doesn’t, but there are some core elements that can make one keyboard more attractive than another, and therefore justify an upgrade.
The most prominent feature that comes to mind is Bluetooth connection versus USB.
But let’s say you’re not looking for an upgrader or replacing your keyboard, you’re simply wondering how long one should keep a keyboard before replacing it.
A keyboard doesn’t have to be replaced unless there’s good reason to do so. Statistically speaking, you will need to replace your keyboard after 2-3 years of using it, commonly because it either lost a key, has a damaged cord, or stopped working entirely. Buying a high-quality keyboard and replacing keys as they break, cleaning it, and taking good care of it can make the keyboard last for decades.
The answer is that there’s no need to replace the keyboard if it’s still functioning and providing you with all the features and functions that you’re looking for.
If the keyboard isn’t working, then I recommend you troubleshoot it before you jump to the conclusion that the keyboard needs to be replaced.
Keyboards can be cleaned thoroughly, maintained, and repaired quite easily – this is good for both your economy and the environment.
I recommend that you clean the keyboard using a cloth or paper towel, and any common mild household cleaning product on a monthly or weekly basis depending on how often you use your keyboard.
How Do You Know When You Need a New Keyboard?
The keyboard is one of the core elements of using a computer, without the keyboard you’re unable to communicate and operate the device fully. It’s natural to opt for a new keyboard as soon as the current one starts acting up.
Thankfully, it doesn’t take a lot of time to troubleshoot the keyboard. Within 10 minutes, you should have been able to identify if the problem is related to hardware or software.
Let’s take a look at the different problems that you can run into and whether or not they can be fixed, or if the situation demands a new keyboard.
Software Issues
As frustrating as software problems can be, the upside is that they rarely require you to purchase new equipment. These problems appear because there’s something preventing Windows from communicating with your keyboard as intended.
This can disable some of the keyboard’s features, or perhaps the entire keyboard.
The relationship or communication between Windows and your keyboard is operated with the help of software that’s installed to control the keyboard in Windows – they’re also known as drivers. If your drivers are outdated or corrupt, it could cause your keyboard to act out.
The latest drivers can be found on the manufacturer’s website, download them and install them. You don’t need a new keyboard if you’re experiencing software issues. Try installing new drivers, restarting the computer, reinstalling the drivers, and updating the BIOS.
Similar issues could also be caused by someone installing malware on your computer. The malware can interfere with the keyboard’s drivers, rendering the keyboard useless or making it act out of the ordinary. Here’s a guide on the topic of viruses that affect the keyboard.
Dust and Food Particles
Over time, a keyboard will collect quite a lot of dust and debris. If you allow yourself to eat and drink by the computer, your keyboard will basically act as a bib – catching everything that’s spilled. The spill is collected under the keys and can prevent the keyboard from working as intended.
Turn the keyboard upside-down and shake it to see if anything falls out. Blast underneath the keys using a can of compressed air – try to get into every nook and cranny to ensure it’s cleaned thoroughly.
Having compressed air at home isn’t a bad idea. It’s great for cleaning the keyboard but it’s also one of the most effective ways of removing dust from all of the computer’s components. Find out more about keeping your keyboard dust-free here.
Tip: Determine if your keyboard has been damaged by liquid exposure.
Connection Problems
Wired keyboards are connected to the PC via USB ports, while wireless keyboards are connected to the computer through Bluetooth connection. Both wired and wireless keyboards can have problems connecting to the computer.
The computer’s USB ports may be the reason why your keyboard isn’t showing any signs of life. Try another USB port to see if the computer is able to detect the keyboard when it’s connected to the new port.
If your computer is connected to a docking station (an external hub that provides the computer with extra ports) disconnect it from the hub and connect it directly to the computer – the hub can cause discrepancies between the computer and external devices.
If the keyboard works when it’s connected to a different port, then it’s the first port that’s causing the issues, not the keyboard.
Bluetooth Problems
Wireless keyboards and mouses come with a dongle that’s connected to the computer through USB, the dongle will then maintain the Bluetooth connection between the computer and the device.
If the USB port is faulty, the dongle won’t be able to send or receive Bluetooth signals, rendering the device useless.
If the computer has built-in Bluetooth but still doesn’t connect to the device, then you may have to update the Bluetooth drivers to the latest update available.
Some keyboards can’t connect to the computer unless the computer has special software installed – information regarding this should be available on the manufacturer’s website.
Driver Interference
If you’ve ever used another keyboard on your current computer, chances are the old drivers are still installed. These drivers may very well interfere with your current keyboard’s drivers or software.
By uninstalling the old keyboard’s drivers and software you will stop them from interfering with the new keyboard.
You should replace your keyboard if you’re experiencing hardware malfunctions that can’t be fixed, or aren’t worth fixing. Software problems should, and can, be fixed easily.
This can easily be identified by connecting your current keyboard to another computer to see if the problem persists or if it’s got to do with your computer.
If you’ve tried everything in the troubleshooting guide and still can’t get your keyboard to work, then it’s probably good to start looking for a replacement keyboard.
How Long Do Keyboards Usually Last?
If you expose your keyboard to very little food or liquid spill, the keyboard could stay functioning for more than 10 years.
With a regular keyboard, the overall experience gradually gets worse over the years – but with regular care and maintenance, the keyboard will work for a long time.
High-quality mechanical keyboards can, according to some manufacturers, withstand 50-100 million strokes per key, which can be quantified into enough strokes to last an entire lifetime and then some.
Regular keyboards usually last anywhere between 1-10 years depending on how they’re used and cared for – the letters on the keys will probably fade long before the keyboard stops working if you’ve treated it right.
But if you’re looking for a keyboard that will last a lifetime, then I recommend getting a high-quality mechanical keyboard, as they’re superior to regular keyboards when it comes to durability.
How Long Will a Laptop Keyboard Last?
Depending on how frequently and heavily you use your laptop’s keyboard, the keyboard will, on average, last about 5 years.
This doesn’t mean that your keyboard will stop working out of nowhere as soon as you’ve used it for 5 years – but you can expect the keyboard to be worn out after 5 years.
Certain keys will probably wear out sooner than others – but they can be replaced.
While all laptop keyboards will wear out eventually, one that’s taken care of will rarely fail before the computer is replaced, depending on the quality of the computer, of course.
What Do You Do With Old Keyboards?
Old keyboards can be recycled, sold, gifted, donated, repurposed, and so forth. It comes down to creativity and effort – how much are you willing to do?
Did you know that nearly 100% of a computer can be recycled? That’s amazing! They’re a great resource for recyclable materials like plastic, metal, and glass.
Keyboards, just like computers, are considered electronic waste and should be treated as such.
If you’re about to throw away a high-quality keyboard, or a mechanical keyboard – why don’t you keep it for spare parts? Your new keyboard will, eventually, run into problems that can be fixed by using spare parts from your old keyboard.
Conclusion
Keyboards can last for a lifetime under the right conditions, the overall experience will not be equally good after a couple of years as the keys will start to wear out. Regardless, most keyboards are replaced long before they need to be replaced.
A lot of things can be done to a keyboard before it’s thrown away and replaced. Keyboards aren’t very expensive, therefore we tend to treat them as wear and tear items that we use and then throw away.
Looking for solutions to the problem and fixing it is oftentimes more lucrative than replacing the keyboard as soon as you run into the first sign of a problem.
High-quality keyboards will cost more but they also tend to last much longer, one of the best benefits of a high-quality, expensive keyboard, is that people tend to spend a little more time troubleshooting them, rather than replacing them.
I hope you found a fix for your keyboard in this article. Good luck!
If you’ve found other common problems that I forgot to include, please mention them in the comments below.