# Basic Repair to a Laptop Keyboard

**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-repair-to-a-laptop-keyboard/734424
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [October 12, 2015, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-repair-to-a-laptop-keyboard/734424 "2015-10-12T14:58:21Z")
**Posts on this page:** 3
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)
#### Post date: [October 12, 2015, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-repair-to-a-laptop-keyboard/734424/1 "2015-10-12T14:58:21Z")

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The “ESC” key broke off my laptop keyboard. Underneath, it seems there is a nub made of - what feels like - silicone. This nub is also loose and feels like it may break off, as well. My questions related to repairing this are:

a) Can I place a drop of Crazy glue under the nub without causing damage to whatever material the nub is made from?  
b) And, second, can I Crazy glue the “ESC” key back in place once the nub seems fixed?

Last, is Crazy glue a preferred glue for this application? Not all glues are compatible with all materials, so I want to be sure. Hopefully, the SDopers will know!

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### Author: ![jimbuff314](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c57346/32.png) [@jimbuff314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimbuff314)
#### Post date: [October 12, 2015, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-repair-to-a-laptop-keyboard/734424/2 "2015-10-12T15:19:03Z")

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Were it my keyboard, I would certainly attempt such repair, with a couple of caveats.

First, I would make sure that my application of superglue would not hinder any flexibility that might be required under the key. Second, I would probably use a variant of superglue that is thicker and not as runny as normal superglue. Normal superglue is amazingly thin and non-viscous when first applied.

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### Author: ![Doughbag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Doughbag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doughbag)
#### Post date: [October 12, 2015, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-repair-to-a-laptop-keyboard/734424/3 "2015-10-12T15:37:58Z")

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Try “The Kragle” first, sometimes that works.

Alternatively you can/need to replace the internal keyboard or plug in a external USB Keyboard.
