Number keys on my dell laptop dont work

[bgadams]

I have a two year old Dell Inspiron fifteen forty five laptop. The number keys work only sporadically. If I keep tapping on one it will eventually start working most of the time, and then others will start working sporadically also. No other keys have a problem. Then after being shut down for a while the problem gets worse again. I dont even know if this is hardware or software, although the fact that it gets better after attempting to type numbers for a while leads me to think it isnt hardare. Any solutions?

 

[AntiZig]

you need to run some keyboard diagnostic to determine if it's hardware or software. If you call up dell, a tech can help you step by step through the process.

 

[bgadams]

you need to run some keyboard diagnostic to determine if it's hardware or software. If you call up dell, a tech can help you step by step through the process.

Thanks. I'm out of warranty, but if I need to I can try that. Since it comes and goes, and only affects the number keys (the whole row), could it be something like a short in a wire?

 

[AntiZig]

yes it could be the ribbon wire going bad over time or the connection to the motherboard getting bad due to age or dust.

 

[bgadams]

Best answer selected by bgadams.

 

[bgadams]

I wound up taking my laptop to a repair shop where they replaced my keyboard. Thanks for your help.