Asus Zenbook UX31A weird temporary and reoccurring keyboard problem

[BrianBot]

So every so often a few keys on my Asus Zenbook UX31A stop working for 5-10 minutes. The D key, backspace, and left arrow (possibly a few others) occasionally stop working. I first noticed the problem when my log in password didn't work (contained a D). It's been reoccurring on and off with daily frequency for two weeks, now. Any help, ideas, or suggestions? It's really, really annoying.

Another less pressing issue is controlling the volume with the keyboard (Fn + F11/F12). The other function keys like sleep, brightness, and wiresless on/off work fine, just not the volume. Suggestions on that, too?

Thanks.

 

[throwawayacct123]

hi, glad to hear it worked for you. Does the fix last? i had the same problems with my D, backspace and delete, backa arrow key. my zenbook is 2 month old and think to follow the solution posted by this group. thanks, yw

The fix worked perfectly for me. The first indicator that this problem was happening for me was the power, wifi, and caps lock indicators not lighting up. When I traveled with it in my bag I'm assuming the ribbon cable got loose. While reconnecting the cable the lock would come loose when pushing one side in. I used electrical tape to tape the ribbon to the hard top connector on the board. I'm hoping the tape will hold up for at least a few months. The tape that ASUS used was a flimsy masking tape that barely stuck on.

 

[BrianBot]

Best answer selected by BrianBot.

 

[Bluelake_57]

Hello, I had similar problems with this ultrabook, thought I'd detail how I fixed them. I dropped my Zenbook a month ago and the only effect was that various keys on the right side of the keyboard would not work for periods of time. Eventually, the Power button stopped working and when I let the battery run out of charge once, I could not turn it back on. I hunted for information online and eventually found this great guide, where a guy with similar keyboard issues fixed his UX31A keyboard:

http/www.ifixit.com/Guide/Unresponsive+Keyboard+Keys/11932/1

I went to a local tool shop and picked up a screwdriver kit with a Torx T5 head and followed his instructions to re-insert and tighten the keyboard connector, which had come loose just as shown in his photos. After that, I was finally able to turn my Zenbook Prime back on and I have since had zero problems with the keyboard, just as before I dropped it.

Probably not a good idea to use a Power key on the keyboard when your keyboard connector is so easily dislodged, Asus. I guess they had to cut corners somewhere to offer such a fantastic ultrabook at such a great price- the Zenbook Prime UX31A-DB51 is the best laptop I've ever had- and taping the keyboard connector into place is the result. I read all the Amazon reviews where users complain about the keyboard; not sure why their support guy who responds there keeps blaming the software and tells them to do a factory reset of the OS, when it's most likely this hardware issue, although perhaps there are software issues for others too.

If others who are willing to open up their ultrabook can try this fix out and post their results here, we can see how many people are affected by the same problem. It was a very easy fix for me, once I bought the Torx T5 screwdriver: just reconnect the keyboard connector, as shown in the photos. I'm glad I fixed it myself, as sending it back to Asus would have been a hassle, and who knows if they themselves realize this problem, considering their support guy keeps blaming the software on Amazon.

Many thanks, the fix worked for me for Zenbook bought in Switzerland with key ctrl and power key not working all the time.

 

[KKotorynski]

Same problem (D, Backspace not working consistently, and this worked for me too: http/www.ifixit.com/Guide/Unresponsive+Keyboard+Keys/11932/1! Thanks very much foks!

PS I noticed that the connector requires you to fully push in the white blocks on BOTH sides possibly this was the original cause of problem (mine weren't).

Now I have all these extra ddddddddddd's and DDDDDDDDDD's I don't know what to do with.

 

[Jman_70]

This solution worked for me. Thanks!!!!

 

[L Pantenberg]

Hello, I had similar problems with this ultrabook, thought I'd detail how I fixed them. I dropped my Zenbook a month ago and the only effect was that various keys on the right side of the keyboard would not work for periods of time. Eventually, the Power button stopped working and when I let the battery run out of charge once, I could not turn it back on. I hunted for information online and eventually found this great guide, where a guy with similar keyboard issues fixed his UX31A keyboard:

http/www.ifixit.com/Guide/Unresponsive+Keyboard+Keys/11932/1

I went to a local tool shop and picked up a screwdriver kit with a Torx T5 head and followed his instructions to re-insert and tighten the keyboard connector, which had come loose just as shown in his photos. After that, I was finally able to turn my Zenbook Prime back on and I have since had zero problems with the keyboard, just as before I dropped it.

Probably not a good idea to use a Power key on the keyboard when your keyboard connector is so easily dislodged, Asus. I guess they had to cut corners somewhere to offer such a fantastic ultrabook at such a great price- the Zenbook Prime UX31A-DB51 is the best laptop I've ever had- and taping the keyboard connector into place is the result. I read all the Amazon reviews where users complain about the keyboard; not sure why their support guy who responds there keeps blaming the software and tells them to do a factory reset of the OS, when it's most likely this hardware issue, although perhaps there are software issues for others too.

If others who are willing to open up their ultrabook can try this fix out and post their results here, we can see how many people are affected by the same problem. It was a very easy fix for me, once I bought the Torx T5 screwdriver: just reconnect the keyboard connector, as shown in the photos. I'm glad I fixed it myself, as sending it back to Asus would have been a hassle, and who knows if they themselves realize this problem, considering their support guy keeps blaming the software on Amazon.

This solution worked for me too. Thank you!!!!

 

[Brett928S2]

This topic has been closed by Brett928S2