malfunctioning "T" key

Several weeks ago, the "T" key on my Dell XPS M1330's keyboard (specs in signature below) began acting erraticly, which continues presently. I have to push the "T" key several times to produce the letter, and often have to push the key much harder than usual and/or from several angles. Sometimes keeping the key depressed gently for a few seconds produces the letter and sometimes several copies are produced. I removed the key to clean its underside and the rubber contact--admittedly I found much congealed gunk in both places, which probably is a result of indulgently allowing my 3-year-old nephew to watch videos with me while he eats and drinks. Despite cleaning underneath the "T" key well, the problem persists. When I remove the "T" key and gently press the rubber contact, the "T" is more reliably produced, but still seems somewhat balky compared to two other keys' rubber contacts.

Will replacing the keyboard solve the "T" key problem, or is the problem more fundamental to my PC? If I omitted essential information, please let me know.

Thanks much for reading and any advice or suggestions.

 

My thoughts are that if the symptoms change when you removed the key and manually depressed the button, then it's hardward related (keyboard). Does the key spring back in the same fashion as the other keys? Does it depress as deeply/smoothly. Have you removed any other keys to make sure that they look the same (no broken posts)? Are you sure you put the key back on correctly? The plastic pieces to form the spring can be a little tricky.

 

Thanks for your response. The "T" key depresses and springs back like the other keys and it feels the same as them. I had also removed two other keys to make sure their plastic supports and rubber contacts were the same as those for the "T" key, as well as to make sure they snapped back in place the same as the "T" key when I replaced them. I'm confident I put the "T" key back properly, as well as the others. I know the tricky part is making sure the plastic supports lie in the correct orientation when the key is replaced--I found through trial and error when I remove the key, often the plastic supports are dislodged such that they no longer fold back neatly and flatly and need to be gently reworked so they do so before replacing the key, otherwise the key will not line up properly when replaced. I've removed and replaced the "T" key several times that placing it back properly is almost 2nd-nature.

From your comments, I gather replacing the keyboard should resolve the problem. I wanted to be sure that my PC did not have a more fundamental problem that replacing the keyboard would not solve. If I need to be considering other factors or solutions, I'd appreciate knowing. Thanks again for your comments and questions.