Laptop computers are designed to be more convenient to transport and use than desktop computers. Unfortunately, their compact all-in-one design can make them significantly more difficult to work on when you have to attempt to upgrade or repair them. When attempting to replace a keyboard on a HP COMPAQ laptop, you might discover the frustration of having to repair a laptop firsthand; fortunately, these repairs are generally much easier to actually perform than they may seem at first. Replacing a HP COMPAQ laptop keyboard should only take a few minutes, meaning that your laptop can be fully functional again in no time flat.

Step 1 Visit the HP COMPAQ support document website and locate the “”User’s Guide”” section of the listings for your laptop model. You should be able to locate either a “”component replacement manual,”” or a document focusing specifically on replacement of the keyboard for that model (as different models of keyboards have slightly different methods of removing the keyboard.) You may also wish to check the FAQ’s in the support documents of your model, as they may also contain information on replacing the keyboard.

Step 2 Power down your HP COMPAQ laptop and remove the battery. This will not only ensure that you don’t accidentally damage your laptop by powering it up while working on its components, but may also be necessary to reach the mounting screws for your laptop’s keyboard. Press the power button once after the battery has been removed to discharge any remaining electricity that the laptop may have stored.

Step 3 Consult the support documents for your HP COMPAQ laptop model and find out where the keyboard mounting screws are located. There will most likely be between two and five screws, depending on the specific model of laptop that you own. You may be required to remove the keyboard bezel (the strip of plastic that runs along the top of the keyboard) in order to reach some or all of the screws; this can be done either by sliding the bezel off to the right of the laptop or by simply lifting it off once loosened (though you may need to use a coin or flat-head screwdriver to detach clips or pry the bezel out of its resting location.)

Step 4 Remove the screws holding the keyboard in place. The screws will either be located on the bottom of the laptop (under the space that the battery occupies) or beneath the keyboard bezel. Put the screws in a safe place where they will not be lost, since you will need to use them to secure the new keyboard.

Step 5 Lift the keyboard up from the bottom, detaching the keyboard connector and pulling the keyboard itself free from the HP COMPAQ laptop, then setting it aside. You may need to once again use a coin or flat-head screwdriver in order to depress clips which might be holding the keyboard in place.)

Step 6 Plug your new keyboard into the keyboard connector, then carefully place it back into the space previously occupied by your old keyboard. If the keyboard is designed to be held in place by clips, press down with sufficient pressure to clip the keyboard into place.

Step 7 Replace the screws that you had previously removed from the HP COMPAQ laptop. Make sure that the screws are firmly in place both to ensure that the keyboard is secure and also to eliminate any potential problems with replacing the bezel or battery.

Step 8 Reattach the bezel (if you removed it) and the laptop battery, making sure that all components have been reattached and are firmly secured. Once the battery is back in place, press the power button to power up the HP COMPAQ laptop and give your operating system a chance to recognize the newly-installed keyboard.

Tips & Warnings
Because of different style considerations, some HP COMPAQ laptops may require additional components such as the monitor to be removed in order to remove the bevel or replace the HP COMPAQ keyboard. Make sure that you read the appropriate support document in order to know exactly what your laptop will need before you start. When ordering or buying a new keyboard for a HP COMPAQ laptop, make sure that the keyboard that you purchase is designed for your specific model of laptop before you buy.Make sure that you stay in contact with a grounded metal object, or otherwise discharge static electricity when working on your laptop to prevent the damage that static buildup can cause to computer components.