Whether you’ve lost, broken or worn out a key or keycap on a keyboard you have a few options. The solutions range in price and difficulty, so we recommend checking out each section. However, if you already know which solution you’d like to go with, select it from the list below and follow the instructions.

Online retailer

  • Online retailer
  • Contacting the manufacturer
  • Swap keyboard keys
  • Contact local repair shop
  • Replace worn key stickers

Contacting the manufacturer

In some instances, you can contact the keyboard manufacturer or, if it’s a laptop the laptop manufacturer for a replacement. Unfortunately, in almost all situations it’s necessary to replace the keyboard since most manufacturers do not have single keys available for purchase. However, many laptop companies offer keyboard key kits, which contain many of the parts necessary to fix their keyboards.

Swap keyboard keys

If the manufacturer does not have replacement keys or kits available, and there is a keyboard key that you don’t frequently use, consider swapping them it. You can exchange any two keys that are the same size. For example, if your “H” key were sticking or lost, you could replace it the Windows menu key.

  • How to remove and replace a laptop key or keycap.
  • How to remove the keys on a keyboard.

Contact local repair shop

Local computer repair shops often replace and fix keyboards on laptops. They may have spare broken keyboards that they’d be willing to let you have or use for spare keys. Additionally, many keyboards and other spare parts are sold on eBay and other auction sites, check these pages for replacements.

Replace worn key stickers

If you need to replace a key because it’s worn out, consider purchasing a keyboard sticker set instead of replacing the key entirely.

If this is a laptop key, keycap, or key component, make sure you’re getting a key or keyboard that is compatible with your model of laptop. There are many different laptop keyboards and they are not all compatible.

  • Where to buy computer hardware parts.
  • See our key, keyboard, keycap, and laptop definitions for further information and related links.
  • Keyboard help and support.