HP Chromebook keyboard issues

Greetings to all. I'm getting random unresponsive keys on my HP Chromebook. Did a hard reset, powerwashes, keys are clean, not stuck. Took 10 minutes to type this. Internal damage? Guest mode same result.  Tried every fix I know. help!

I would say this is a hardware issue if you get the same results after a powerwash and hard reset. How is it if you use a USB keyboard? If a USB keyboard works and the chromebook is on the expensive side consider getting a small wireless keyboard for it.

Edit: This is just an example.

https://www.amazon.com/Macally-2-4G-Mini-Wireless-Keyboard/dp/B07ZRWLL38/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=chromebook+wireless+keyboard

https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Keyboard-TeckNet-Dedicated-Android/dp/B072N471V4/ref=sr_1_1_sspa

Edited by JohnC_21, 28 September 2023 - 08:58 AM.

Thanks a lot, John. It's not an expensive unit, still 80% functional, even with this issue. I have a new one being delivered tomorrow from Target for 160 bucks. I also have one with expired AUE date that I still use with no issues but I'm afraid to do banking on it even though from hours of research I believe the risk is minimal. I don't hear of many people having personal info stolen from using expired Chromebooks but I could be wrong. That's actually another question I have if you want to take it. 

The funny thing is this response right now had NO keyboard issues  - none. I typed through clean.  This post would have taken 40 minutes yesterday. I don't get it. 30 minutes ago the keys were balking, now I type like there is no issue. Very odd. 

Yeah, that is strange.

Depending on what processor the Chromebook with the expired AUE has you could put linux on it if you can find your chromebook model on the MrChromebox site. It does take a learning curve to do it though. I installed Linux Mint on an old Chromebox and it runs well.

https://mrchromebox.tech/

Edited by JohnC_21, 28 September 2023 - 04:14 PM.

John: It wouldn't let me finish a word so I'm on the expired Chromebook right now (Samsung). This one I use as a monitor for a horse racing platform and it works perfectly. The one with the balky keys can be used if I use the "mic" feature and I can watch TV on it so I'm going to keep it. After I powerwashed that thing it would not let me sign in with my password  - took 10 minutes for the keys to work. Is it at all POSSIBLE that it has an infection or virus or malware or something that can mess up the keyboard? I'm no computer geek but my understanding is with this "sandboxing" and powerwashes that should not happen. I've never heard of running any "cleaner" on these Chromebooks. I've never had any issue in 5-6 years that couldn't be fixed by a hard reset and/or powerwash - those remedies were always 100% so I agree it's a hardware issue unless you tell me it is possible that malware or something is fouling the keyboard. 

Yes, I heard about installing Linux and when you say "learning curve" that means I'll go nuts doing it - I don't have the patience anymore. I used to open up my Toshiba Satellite and clean the dust out of the fans; Then I had an old Macbook Pro that I would open up and fool with using special screwdrivers I had to order. Those units are gone and this technology can consume your whole life. I'm on these things too many hours as it is and to start doing repairs of any kind is now out of the question. I can get a Chromebook on Black Friday for peanuts so I'll take a hammer to these things before I fool with them at all. lol  Anyway, if a virus is impossible to be the cause of the keyboard malfunction then I'm all set with the new one coming and these 2 still are good backups. As far as this security issue I will admit I used an outdated and unprotected Macbook for YEARS and did banking with no issues, contrary to 100 articles I read that said things will happen. My understanding is the only thing that can happen on an expired Chromebook is it might not work on certain sites. I don't hear people losing bank accounts on expired units but maybe it's possible but highly unlikely. Thanks for your assistance, John.

Google does provide security updates to the Chromebook so as you said I would not go on any banking or online stores with the Chromebook that is past the AUE. Chromebooks are very secure as Chrome OS is based on linux and Google does a good job of providing security updates. On top of that it's difficult to modify the firmware on the Chromebook and Chromebox so I doubt you are infected. I don't install many Android apps, only ones I know are legitimate and I removed a lot that was pre-installed on the Chromebook I bought.

Sounds like it may be a connector, what is the exact model # ?  Windows HP laptops have one that looks like this XXXX#ABA, or the serial number.

Edited by pcpunk, 29 September 2023 - 07:18 PM.

PC PUNK: here is what I found:

HP CHROMEBOOK s/n 5CD046HR6G  version: 116.0.5845.210

I had to type this in on the new Acer that came yesterday. The HP just would not type - it's on and off, hit or miss, today it was a miss.

Connector? You mean maybe I can open this thing up and fix it myself?  It's still 80% functional - I open it up it's gonna be 0% functional. lol

I think John will be of more help as I cannot even find a service manual on it.  So I assume it was not meant to be repaired or you gave me the wrong number?  Not that it matters if you don't have the confidence to repair it, but it would be interesting to find out!

TRY THIS

Chronic: I shut down, hit ALT+V

Numbers correct on upper right corner

Checked 4 times

I don't know much about chromebooks.  Is there no Model number on the bottom?  The #ABA Number?  I get nothing from the SN.

My Member name is actually "PcPunk" and not Chronic Poster

Sorry about the name mixup, PC Punk. There were numbers on the case. These numbers are 1/100 the size of an anorexic paramecium.  I needed a magnifying glass and a flashlight held sideways - I'm not kidding. Why do they do this?? Anyway, here are the numbers:

Product ID: 18J38UA#ABA

sn: 5CD046HR6G  (same as what I posted above)

I did a million searches on this keyboard issue. If a powerwash doesn't fix a problem I'm assuming it's not fixable without a surgical intervention of some sort.

Then again, what do I know?? 

I don't think something like this is repairable as I inputted your serial number in HP partsurfer and nothing was available for order.

https://partsurfer.hp.com/partsurfer?searchtext=5CD046HR6G

Here is your support page

https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/details/hp-chromebook-11a-na0000/model/2100019233?sku=18J38UA&serialnumber=5CD046HR6G

From that model I found this used keyboard. It looks like you would need to transfer the trackpad.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/175663484553

You can see in the below video what a chromebook keyboard change requires albeit this is not your model. I haven't found a video for your specific model so the teardown would be different.  I would consider a small wireless keyboard.

Edited by JohnC_21, 01 October 2023 - 10:21 AM.

There were numbers on the case. These numbers are 1/100 the size of an anorexic paramecium.  I needed a magnifying glass and a flashlight held sideways - I'm not kidding. Why do they do this?? Anyway, here are the numbers:

I know, HP sucks!  I prefer Dell these days though some of the Lenovo's are good too.  

Is it the whole keyboard or just one quarter of it?

HERE IS ANOTHER CHOICE in addition to John's find.  It has the touchpad and is close to the same details as John's find.