Latitude e5420 - Noisy Arrow Key - Anyone else have this or could it be due to SSD install?

After purchasing my Dell Latitude e5420, I immediately sent it back because the entire keyboard would randomly stop working until reboot regardless of which operating system was installed.


Anyway, they sent it back (presumably they changed the whole keyboard or maybe even the motherboard). This time, the keyboard was working but the down arrow key and sometimes the keys next to it kind of rattle or clack as compared to the other keys which are mostly pretty silent.

Is this normal? Dell has sent me a new keyboard but after installing it the same problem continues. I have a couple of thoughts on the issue. (1) I installed an ssd drive so maybe the chassis is more or less rigid leading to flex in that corner. (2) Dell sent back my laptop after servicing it with missing screws, so maybe this indicates that someone inexperienced re-assembled the laptop and misconfigured something internally that causes the keyboard to sit wrongly.

TLDR; Dell keyboard is fine until installed into laptop and then the arrow keys in the lower left corner make too much noise.

 

I have an e5420, with an after market ssd and hdd caddy, The arrow keys on mine seem ok, what keyboard do you have, mine is backlit with the trackpoint and 3 buttons below the spacebar

 

Could be anything really... you could have gotten two of a particularly noisy keyboard, some tech could have seated something improperly, the SSD install could have indeed made something just that much sturdier or weaker... or it could be entirely psychological, a placebo effect.

You can try reseating the keyboard on your own, or replacing the missing the screws, or re-installing the stock, conventional HDD, and if it's not any of that, well, maybe the tolerances of your current, particular set of parts add up in a funny way such that these keys are louder.

 

Thanks, guys.

It's the standard (non-backlit) keyboard. The keyboard keys seem all fine and noiseless if you test them when the keyboard is not installed.

Playing with the tightness of various screws around the top and bottom of the laptop seems to make a small difference. Do you guys know offhand if there is something inside that I could try to adjust that might help?

One thing for sure is that if I press down on the keyboard panel trim on the left side (next to the enter/shift/volume keys), the noise/vibration/rattling/whatever in the arrow keys is gone.

I'll try putting the HDD back in but I'm not sure it will make any difference because I'm using the stock caddy with the SSD.

Anyway, how should I explain this problem to Dell so that they might solve it as opposed to sending me more keyboards? It's not a huge issue but I use the laptop to take notes/write essays in class and I don't want to get on anyone's nerves whenever I type...

 

You might need to replace the palmrest, since the sound goes away when you press the side. Probably a manufacturing defect with the palmrest plastic.