Up and Down Arrow Keys Not Working

[Petrushka]

The up and down arrow keys on my laptop keyboard have gradually failed and now don't work at all. I've tried solutions from a Google search but nothing seems to work. I don't have a scroll lock key so that's not it unless some other key performs that function. However, the failure has been gradual and not sudden. I hope it's not too many biscuit crumbs!

Anyone have any answers?

[richardfinegold]

The up and down arrow keys on my laptop keyboard have gradually failed and now don't work at all. I've tried solutions from a Google search but nothing seems to work. I don't have a scroll lock key so that's not it unless some other key performs that function. However, the failure has been gradual and not sudden. I hope it's not too many biscuit crumbs!

Anyone have any answers?

Try eating with a bib?

[french frank]

Anyone have any answers?

Take it to be repaired?

[Beef Oven!]

I don't think I can suggest anything more than what you would have found already by a Google search, but don't forget Windows has an 'on screen keyboard' that you can use.

[Dave2002]

How old is the laptop? Repair worthwhile? Replace?
Use a wireless keyboard, maybe also a trackpad and mouse. I used to use an external wired mouse for this kind of issue.

[Petrushka]

I don't think I can suggest anything more than what you would have found already by a Google search, but don't forget Windows has an 'on screen keyboard' that you can use.

I wasn't aware of the on-screen keyboard until the Google search but I can't find that it has up/down arrow keys. It certainly has left/right, though.

My laptop is around three years old and not sure whether the cost of a repair would be worthwhile. At the moment, it's a minor inconvenience as I can scroll by using the up/down on the right of the screen but it will be different if more keys start to fail.

[Beef Oven!]

I wasn't aware of the on-screen keyboard until the Google search but I can't find that it has up/down arrow keys. It certainly has left/right, though.

My laptop is around three years old and not sure whether the cost of a repair would be worthwhile. At the moment, it's a minor inconvenience as I can scroll by using the up/down on the right of the screen but it will be different if more keys start to fail.

About 3.5 years ago I switched to a MacBook and I've never looked back. In fact, although the machine was just over a grand, I believe, based on previous experience I would have got through 2 Windows machines in this time and would be looking to a third fairly soon.

[french frank]

I wasn't aware of the on-screen keyboard until the Google search but I can't find that it has up/down arrow keys. It certainly has left/right, though.

My laptop is around three years old and not sure whether the cost of a repair would be worthwhile. At the moment, it's a minor inconvenience as I can scroll by using the up/down on the right of the screen but it will be different if more keys start to fail.

What about your mouse wheel? I use mine more than I use the scroll bar or keyboard.

[Bryn]

What about your mouse wheel? I use mine more than I use the scroll bar or keyboard.

You still use a mouse? That's so 20th century.

[Beef Oven!]

There are definitely up and down buttons on the on-screen keyboard. Or do as ff suggests, use a mouse. Although that can be confusing when you are using the keys for everything else. As Bryn implies, many of us haven't used that setup for a very long time.

[Dave2002]

What's wrong with using a magic mouse - a sort of half way house between a trackpard and a mouse with a wheel. I believe there are new variants, but my mice don't have any wheels.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Apple-MLA02Z-Magic-Mouse-2/dp/B016MUCHTS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1462127661&sr=8-1&keywords=magic+mouse

Mine are the earlier, Mk 1 models, perhaps a bit pricey, but I don't even think about how I use them now. Occasionally I still have to use a wired mouse, for example if the sync between the wirelss mouse and the computers fails - just for long enough to set up the Bluetooth and the pairing.

I think that keyboards can actually be repaired, and the cost "shouldn't" be that high - the parts are not particularly expensive. The catch is that many repair guys or stores offering repairs are quite happy to charge a lot, or try to sell you a new machine. Most laptops don't really go much beyond 3 years - at least as regards keyboards - but i second what beefy has said about Macbooks.

[french frank]

You still use a mouse? That's so 20th century.

It depends what kind of things you want to do. I do a lot with graphics and image manipulation. Can't do better than a mouse. I gave away my Bluetooth set-up too.

[johnb]

Depending on the make and model it might well be possible to buy a replacement the keyboard online and fit it yourself, as long as you are careful. I did that some years ago with an aged Thinkpad laptop. Search online for the keyboard and fitting instructions.

[Bryn]

It depends what kind of things you want to do. I do a lot with graphics and image manipulation. Can't do better than a mouse.

Much prefer a graphics tablet myself.

[french frank]

Much prefer a graphics tablet myself.

Yes, I understand there are some very cheap ones about now I prefer to use my iMac with a larger screen …