Laptop Keyboard

No, unfortunately this is not possible. Even if it seems more sustainable to replace just a single key, laptop manufacturers and specialist retailers such as IPC Computer do not offer individual keycaps or retaining clips.

There are many reasons for this:

• laptop manufacturers only produce and sell keyboards as a complete unit. Individual keys are not included in their spare parts logistics.
• There are thousands of different keyboard models. Even within a single model series, there may be different suppliers whose keycaps, retaining clips and colors are not compatible with each other.
• Sometimes different keyboards are installed in different batches of the same laptop model.
• Managing every single key is technically and logistically not economically feasible for either manufacturers or retailers.

Whether you can replace your laptop keyboard yourself depends largely on the model and design of the laptop. It is relatively easy to replace inexpensive and older devices - for example, if the keyboard is snapped in from above and can be removed without having to take it apart completely. On modern, flat laptops, on the other hand, the keyboard is often firmly integrated into the upper shell (top case). In this case, almost the entire device has to be dismantled, which is difficult and risky for non-professionals.

A technically experienced user with the right tools and a steady hand can successfully replace the keyboard themselves. However, if you are unsure or have a very compact device, it is advisable to have the keyboard replaced by IPC Computer. Our technicians have the necessary experience and special tools to carry out the replacement safely and quickly for you.

Unfortunately, you can only install keyboards in your laptop that are designed exactly for your housing. A model with a numeric keypad is significantly wider and therefore does not fit mechanically into a device that was originally designed without a numpad. Similarly, a keyboard without a numpad would be too small for a larger case and could not be attached securely.

If you still need a numeric keypad, an external USB solution is the best choice. In our store you will find a selection of suitable external keyboards and accessories that you can easily connect.

If you are using a new keyboard with a different layout (e.g. US English instead of German), you can easily adjust the software settings in Windows.

Option 1: Via the Windows settings

1. Press Windows + I to open the settings.
2. Select "Time and language" → "Language & region".
3. Click on the three dots "..." next to your preferred language and select "Language options".
4. Under "Keyboards" you can add a new keyboard layout or remove layouts you don't need.
5. You can then use the key combination Alt + Shift or Windows + spacebar to switch between several layouts.

Option 2: Quick change via the taskbar

1. In the bottom right-hand corner of the taskbar, you will find a language/layout indicator (e.g. "DEU" or "ENG").
2. Click on it and select the desired layout from the list.

Tip:

If you regularly switch between several keyboards (e.g. German and English), you can set the bar to be permanently displayed under Settings → Keyboard → Input language bar.

This allows you to switch quickly and easily between different keyboard layouts - ideal if you work on international devices or use different language layouts.

To protect your laptop keyboard from defects in the long term, you can achieve a lot with a few simple but effective measures:

1. Keep liquids away:
   Drinks should never be allowed near the laptop. Even a small drop can cause short circuits or stick contact surfaces under the keys.
2. Clean regularly:
   Dust, crumbs and dirt can settle under the keys and impair their mechanics. The keyboard can be cleaned gently with compressed air spray or a soft brush.
3. Use a keyboard protection film or cover:
   A custom-fit silicone film provides effective protection against dust and liquids without significantly altering the typing experience.
4. Ensure gentle handling:
   Type with normal pressure and avoid resting heavy objects (e.g. the balls of your hands or books) on the keyboard.
5. Protect during transportation:
   Close the laptop completely before transportation and use a padded bag to protect it against shocks and pressure loads - especially in the area of the keyboard and display.
6. Regularly check for foreign objects:
   If individual keys stick or are stiff, the keyboard should be checked and, if necessary, carefully cleaned before major damage occurs.
7. Professional cleaning or maintenance:
   For older devices, professional keyboard cleaning in a workshop may be advisable to check the contacts and key mechanism.

Tip: For stationary use, it is advisable to close the laptop and use an external USB keyboard.

To find the right keyboard for your laptop, a few technical details are crucial. These steps will help you find the right spare part:

1. Determine the exact model designation:
   Look at the bottom of your laptop or in Windows under System information. Designations such as HP 15-da0400ng, Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15ARH05 or Dell Latitude E7470 are important for assigning the correct keyboard. You can find help with this in our guide: Finding the model name.
2. Check the keyboard layout:
   Make sure you have the correct language layout (e.g. German QWERTZ, English QWERTY, French AZERTY). Laptops from abroad have different layouts.
3. Compare the design:
   Not only the layout, but also the attachment points, the ribbon cable and the position of the connector must be correct. Compare your original part carefully with the product image in the store.
4. With or without backlighting?
   If your laptop has a backlit keyboard (backlight), also look for this in the spare part. The item description will usually say "with backlight" or "without backlight" There are often keyboards without backlight.
5. Only choose original laptop keyboards:
   At IPC-Computer you will only find original keyboards from all original manufacturers.

In our online store, you can search directly for your model and view all available options.

Replacing a laptop keyboard in the workshop at IPC-Computer costs a flat rate of €119 plus spare parts costs (as of 1/2026). This price applies if the keyboard including the top case (i.e. the top shell of the housing) has to be replaced. This amount includes the technician's working time, the professional removal of the old keyboard, the installation of the new one and a functional test after completion of the repair.

The total cost therefore depends on the laptop model and the price of the keyboard required. You can view the specific prices for the keyboards of your particular laptop model at any time in our online store. You can also find a complete overview of all services in our current repair price list. You can easily order the replacement of your keyboard using our online form.

If the keyboard on your laptop no longer responds, both software errors and hardware defects are possible causes. Here is an overview of what you can check yourself and when a visit to the workshop is advisable.

What you can check yourself:

• Visually check for dirt, dust or liquid residue on and between the keys.
• Test with an external USB keyboard to determine whether the fault lies with the internal keyboard.
• Check whether special keys such as NumLock, Fn or a keyboard lock are activated.
• Check the operating system (e.g. device manager) to see if the keyboard is recognized correctly or if there is a driver error.

What the laptop workshop should do:

• Professional diagnosis in the event of a suspected hardware defect (e.g. defective ribbon cable or mainboard connection).
• Replacement of the keyboard with an original spare part according to the exact model designation.
• Repair or cleaning in the event of liquid or contact damage.
• Measurement of electrical signal paths and testing of the power supply.
• Final functional check and quality test after repair or replacement.

You can easily register your repair order using our online form so that our technicians can take care of your device as quickly as possible. If you would like to carry out the replacement yourself, you can find the right original keyboard for your model directly in our store.