17 R4, keyboard keys not working

Just an update.  I replaced the keyboard and everything seems to be working properly now.

On my keyboard a couple of the keys got switched somehow, "a" was "h" or something like that. weird. I had to install a key hacker program and switch the key inputs and keep the program running in the background. problem solved sorta.

Hello,

I should start a new topic, but it seems I have similar problem. Keyboard from my 17 r4 (i7 6700HQ, GTX 1070) was replaced by warranty service  but after a few months this problem returns. Different keys doesn't work. This problem exists only on cold start (cold boot) of the laptop, after a few minutes all keys works properly. It's British layout.

Cheers,

Kamil

I have a Dell Inspiron 15  5000 series, laptop.  Just recently my spacebar stopped working. I have to press it 2-3 times to  get a space,

It defies all logic to me (because HID drivers are HID drivers, pretty much), but I think it's a Windows build that's breaking it.  I bought a replacement keyboard, it worked...and then shortly after that on the same day, "Windows needs to install build 19_03!"  Okay, no problem...except now the new keyboard was just as borked as the original one.

Later that same day, "Feature update 19_10!"  Okay, fine Microsoft, you update-crazy nut-nut. 

Still no fix.

So I tried a clean install of Win 10 x64 19_03 using an ISO on a thumb drive.  Still no change.  Even the BIOS doesn't see the keyboard.  

I took it all apart, power cycled the laptop (no battery in, hold down power button for 30 seconds while unplugged), reinstalled the keyboard, turned it all back on--still nothing.

Well, *almost* nothing.  At this point the Windows key works.  There's some irony there but I'm not in the mood to unpack it.

Command Center still sees the keyboard and AlienFX still applies lighting to it just fine.  I think something about these terrible recent builds from Microsoft has broken the driver in some way.

I realize I can use a USB keyboard, I'm just annoyed and, honestly, I'm a problem-solver.  I want to find a solution for this one!

Hrm...forgot that model numbers have changed over time.  Mine is an M17x R4.

I have a 17R4 (i7-7700hq) and one day I received a windows update and a geforce experience drivers update. Since then Im sitting with a keyboard with the delete/insert key and the comma/less than key  not working. 

I have no idea whether I should do a reinstall of windows and because I currently have an important time of my semester going but then it's also quite irritating to not have a comma/delete key (although I'm using the numberpad delete key now) 

I also tried reinstalling the keyboard drivers once but that did not help either. 

Can someone help me with this?

Please send a Private Message to the @DELL-Cares account. We ask you to please include your Service Tag, so we can open up a case and check what's the best approach we can take to solve that for you.

I have an M17x R4 and was able to solve the issue but it involved

1) Shutting down

2) disconnecting power,

3) removing battery,

4) removing CMOS battery too, then

5) doing a power drain (hold down power for 30 seconds),

6) disconnect keyboard,

7) re-attach keyboard,

put everything back together.

If your laptop is still in support/warranty, I'd recommend letting Dell handle that for you.  If not, if you're also not squeamish about taking apart a laptop, use the Dell Service Manual and/or online "total teardown" videos to carefully make note of how to do this.  Be slow and meticulous because of little details--like how a half-dozen screws with the same label may actually be different sizes, so you need to be sure each screw goes back into its exact socket it came out of.

Hope this helps, but in the meantime the easiest workaround to get through your semester/deadlines is just to use a USB keyboard.  I did that for months before finally deciding to try and tackle the problem.

How long did it take to replace the keyboard? And where did you replace it 

Hi Jayleen6472!

It took me about 15 minutes to be slow and methodical about it, and I bought the keyboard from a website called cpumedics.com.  If you go with them, look closely at the description because while I used the part number from the underside of the keyboard, there are other very similar part numbers--you want to be sure it's the one from your country.  In my case that meant US.

There are videos for "Alienware M17x R4 keyboard replacement" on YouTube, so look a couple of 'em over and you can pause it, make notes, and easily ensure that you follow all the steps.  Keep track of which screws go where because I found the screws labeled "I" were of varying lengths.

This video from "Parts People" (parts-people.com ) helped me - they are also a great source for Dell parts, they just didn't have this keyboard.  This time I had a good experience with CPU Medics.

https://youtu.be/ZyR9afrTgEc

Hope this helps you!