Clevo laptop : left ctrl key has suddenly stopped working

I have a clevo laptop (p51sm1b) and the left ctrl key was suddenly non functional when i turned it on yesterday. The day before, everything was fine.

I took the key off and there was no obstruction and the rubber cap and base was in perfect condition. Pressing the rubber cap itself did nothing.

It's only the left ctrl key, everything else is fine. I tried booting into safe mode and also tested using microsoft's on screen keyboard (osk.exe), but the left ctrl key was still completely non-functional.

At this point im guessing that there is a hardware failure of some kind and my only option is to replace the entire keyboard? Does anyone have any idea where i can purchase a replacement keyboard and how to identify the keyboard that i need? The reseller whom I bought this from is no longer in business, so I can't buy it from them.

Or is there anything i can check hardware wise to try and fix it?

 

when some keys don't work, the first thing to do is to remove the keyboard ribbon cables, ensure they're clean, then fit them in tightly. Takes a bit of patience but this happened to me before where the p and o keys wouldn't type until I did this.

 

Agreed... If it still doesn't work, time to RMA and have your keyboard replaced... Or ask your reseller to cross ship a replacement..

 

true, unless he really doesn't know how to open the laptop, an RMA can be avoided with a simpe keyboard replacement after he checks the cables are tightly connected on his current one

Mate, putting those cables in and making them stay in while closing the little lever that holds them is a pain in the butt. Every Time I would pull the lever down, the cable would slip away so I had to hold it tight in place using a flat screw driver while I am pulling the lever down with the other hand.

I'd rather take out my CPU, repaste it, than change a keyboard

 

Unfortunately, i cant contact the reseller as they are out of business now. Is there any other way to get parts? I did see some clevo fans on ebay before...

Can you guys tell me how to check the keyboard ribbon cables please? How do i get access to them?

 

What country are you in, and what's the exact model of the chassis as I don't remember a P51 model. It should be on the label underneath.

If it's the P151SM range then this is the service manual
https://repo.palkeo.com/clevo-mirror/P1xxSM-A/P150SM-A_ESM.zip

scroll down to page 40 and that shows how to access the RAM under the keyboard