Symptoms
- Keys feel slow to spring back or stay pressed down
- Certain keys feel gummy or resist being pressed
- Sticky residue visible around the edges of keycaps
- Problem started right after coffee, soda, or juice was spilled
Likely causes
- CommonSugary residue from the spilled liquid gumming up the key switchesSugar and other residues don't fully evaporate and leave keys tacky even after the liquid dries.
- CommonLiquid pooled under a cluster of keys and hasn't fully driedIt can take longer than expected for liquid to evaporate from tight spaces under keycaps.
- PossibleCorrosion beginning on the metal contacts under sticky keysLeft untreated, sticky residue can lead to corrosion over time.
What to do
- Power off the laptop and unplug the charger before cleaning.
- Gently remove the affected keycaps with a small flat tool, noting or photographing their position first.
- Clean the exposed switch and the underside of each keycap with a cloth barely dampened with distilled water or isopropyl alcohol.
- Let everything air dry fully, ideally overnight, before reattaching keycaps.
- Reattach each keycap carefully, aligning it over its retaining clips, and test that it clicks and springs back normally.
- If keys are still sticky after cleaning, repeat with a slightly more thorough cleaning of the switch mechanism itself.
Tools and parts
- Small flat plastic tool
- Isopropyl alcohol or distilled water
- Microfiber cloth
- Cotton swabs
Replacement keycaps (if damaged)Search: “[laptop model] keyboard keycap replacement”
When to call a pro
If keys remain sticky after cleaning, or if the spill was widespread, a technician can more thoroughly clean or replace the keyboard assembly.
Safety
Use caution
Never plug in or power on the laptop while any part of the keyboard is still wet; let it fully dry first to avoid an electrical short.