HP ProBook 450 G8 - Keys coming off

[CHiLL]

We have a number of HP ProBook 450 G8 laptops and we've now had two laptops where the users have reported the keys have just popped off. With the first laptop, the T key came off, but had broken clips, so wouldn't stay on. We opted to replace the keyboard (something like £120) and it's not a small job - you pretty much have to disassemble the entire laptop to replace the keyboard, as it's the entire top shell. Now we've had another instance, but the key clips look intact. I am loathed to repeat the process of purchasing and replacing the entire keyboard, because it seems like a waste of money and a whole load of time.

 

This leads me onto my main question - when these flat style laptop keyboard keys pop off and look intact - how on earth do you reattach them? It's something that has evaded me my entire career and I've never truly had to investigate or had the will power to look into it separately.

[pete]

It depends on the keyboard, but try detaching the actual keycap (flat bit of plastic with the symbol) from the scissor mechanism.

 

Attach the scissor mechanism first (hook one side and the other should "clip" in with a bit of pressure.

 

Then put the keycap over the top and push down gently until you hear a click.

[CHiLL]

It depends on the keyboard, but try detaching the actual keycap (flat bit of plastic with the symbol) from the scissor mechanism.

 

Attach the scissor mechanism first (hook one side and the other should "clip" in with a bit of pressure.

 

Then put the keycap over the top and push down gently until you hear a click.

Thanks for that, though unfortunately, I cannot get them to stay down. Once the scissor mechanism is in place and I put the cap back on, I do sometimes get a click as I'm pushing, but it's evident that the top of the cap is lifted. Two or three key presses later, then the whole cap comes off again. I don't know if this is a common issue with these G8s or I've come across two faulty keyboards in as many months.

[PotNoodleTech]

In my experience of 1:1 - "they keys just fell off" actually means "i pulled the keys off and now i regret it"

[CHiLL]

I have figured out how to reattach the keys, assuming there's no damage or spare parts are available. Due to the brittleness of the materials, there's a few places of failure that can occur and I've tried to address them in the guide I created (for when I inevitably have to do this again in the future and have forgotten). If anyone wants the guide, it is as follows:

 

Stage 1 - Check for damage

 

There are three common areas where damage can occur:

 

1. The bottom of the outer butterfly switch mechanism (Fig 1), where it latches under the hooks. Due to the very thin plastic, it is easy for this to break and snap, meaning the bottom of the key will not remain attached.
   
2. The sides of the inner butterfly switch mechanism (Fig 2), where it hooks into the outer section. Due to the very thin plastic, it is easy for these notches to snap off, meaning it is not able to secure into the outer section and perform the scissor motion.
   
3. The plastic clips on the underside of the key cap. These are incredibly small and fragile and must be there in order to clip the key onto the butterfly mechanism (Fig 3).
   
4. The upper metal guides in the key socket (Fig 4), where the inner butterfly switch mechanism latches on. Due to the thin metal construction, it is easy for this to bend outwards as the key is remove, meaning the butterfly switch will not latch on and will come off freely.
   

For 1. to 3., if either the butterfly mechanism or key cap are damaged and no spares can be salvaged from a donor laptop, then we may need to source from mechanisms from a supplier.

For 4., if the metal is broken or cannot be moved back into the right location, then an entire new keyboard will need to be purchased and fitted.

 

Stage 2 - Assembling the butterfly mechanism

 

1. Once you have confirmed that the butterfly mechanism components are good, or purchased a replacement, then orient them in the correct way.
   

   a. Note the slight indentation in the centre bottom piece of the outer piece
   

   b. Note a corresponding indentation in the centre of the inner piece
   

   c. Have these indentations face up while combining the two pieces (Fig 5)
    
   

2. Insert the inner piece into the outer piece and carefully insert the notches from the inner piece into the centre inside of the outer piece (Fig 2)
   

   a. Once combined, if the mechanism doesn't go completely flat, it is likely the orientation is wrong. Take the inner piece back out, flip it over and reinsert it
   

Stage 3 - Attaching the butterfly mechanism

 

1. Hook the bottom of the butterfly mechanism under the hooks in the bottom of the key socket (Fig 6)
   
2. Push the upper part of the mechanism down into the rest of the socket. It should click as it secures into the metal clips at the top of the socket (Fig 4)
   

   a. If it doesn't click, then it's likely that the metal clips have moved and need pushing back - go to Stage 4.
   

Stage 4 - Adjusting the socket clips

 

1. Use a small precision screwdriver with a flathead bit and gently push the clips inwards (Fig 4)
   

   a. Push too hard and you could push it too far and cause irreparable damage
   

2. Attempt Stage 3 again and repeat any adjustments if necessary
   

 

Fig 1: [ATTACH=CONFIG]70740[/ATTACH]

Fig 2: [ATTACH=CONFIG]70741[/ATTACH]

Fig 3: [ATTACH=CONFIG]70742[/ATTACH]

Fig 4: [ATTACH=CONFIG]70743[/ATTACH]

Fig 5: [ATTACH=CONFIG]70744[/ATTACH]

Fig 6: [ATTACH=CONFIG]70745[/ATTACH]

[warau]

Hello,

 

I confirm this is a common issue that affects the Probook 450 G8. We've had dozens of cases in my company after 6 months of use (from people who have never had a single issue with their laptops in years). HP has admitted it's a design flaw and are changing the whole keyboard under warranty.

[CHiLL]

Hello,

 

I confirm this is a common issue that affects the Probook 450 G8. We've had dozens of cases in my company after 6 months of use (from people who have never had a single issue with their laptops in years). HP has admitted it's a design flaw and are changing the whole keyboard under warranty.

Not just me then! Do you have a source for this information or know which route I need to take regarding this warranty claim?

[warau]

Not just me then! Do you have a source for this information or know which route I need to take regarding this warranty claim?

 

We have just contacted HP support and used the standard warranty. When the problem started happening, they didn't accept to fix it under warranty and blame us for improper usage. But when dozens of Probook 450 G8 machines started to show the same behaviour, they finally accepted it was an issue with this specific model.

 

If they refuse the claim, maybe a link to this thread might help convincing them.

[warau]

More info on the topic:

 

[SimonOwen]

Thank you for taking the time to put fingers to keyboard and share this; you've saved me a heap of time and frustration, plus a few curses!