How to Fix Digital Piano Keys?

01 how to fix digital piano keys

Digital pianos are very durable musical instruments and usually last for many years. But a few years after purchase, sometimes you may encounter such a problem that a key starts to get stuck, does not rise up after being pressed, or does not always make a sound.

But don’t rush to be sad and buy a new piano. Most of the problems with keys can be easily resolved on your own. In rare cases, specialist assistance may be required.

Today we will talk about why the keys of a digital piano can break and how this or that problem can be solved.

Want to know how to fix digital piano keys? Read our article.

*Note: in this article we only give advice. We are not responsible for your actions. If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to contact a specialist.

Why don’t the Digital Piano Keys Work?

Let’s look at what problems can be with piano keys and what are the possible causes of their breakdowns.

  • Dust and dirt build-up on the sensors – the sensors need to be cleaned.
  • A coin or some small object gets stuck between the keys or falls under the key.
  • A broken part of the key, because of this, the key gets stuck in the pressed position.
  • The spring under the key is broken.

Why are some of my piano keys not working?

On the Digital Piano, one of the problems listed above can be the cause. If a key on an acoustic piano doesn’t work, there is no way to fix it without the help of a piano tuner. Causes can be high humidity, temperature changes, breakage of keys, strings, or mechanisms inside the piano.

Can digital piano keys be repaired?

Oh sure! In our article, we will talk about the problems with piano keys and how they can be repaired. In some cases, this is easy to do at home if you have the right tools and technical skills. Sometimes professional technician help is needed.

Tools to Use in the Repair of a Piano

Repairing an electronic piano or synthesizer is impossible without the right tools. To quickly and efficiently make repairs, you need all the tools. The most important of them are a screwdriver, a cleaning solution, and a replacement key.

03 tools

Of course, the list of required tools may vary depending on the problem. Below is a complete list of tools:

  • Screwdrivers
  • Tester and multitester
  • Lamps or flashlight
  • Brushes
  • Blade and cutter
  • Cleaning solution
  • Blow Spray, Foam Spray, and Sealant Spray
  • Insulating tape

Always Check your Digital Piano Manual First!

Before you start repairing your digital piano or synthesizer, be sure to find and study the manual. There may be important information that will help you avoid mistakes during repairs. There may also be tips and instructions for solving various problems with the keyboard. Be sure to follow the instructions mentioned by the manufacturer.

Be sure to check your warranty period! If the warranty is still valid, do not repair the piano yourself, but contact the warranty center!

8 Most Common Cases of Broken Keys and What to Do

Now let’s look at what problems can be with the keyboard and how to fix them.

1. How to Fix Sticky Piano Keys?

The first problem is sticky keys. First, you need to determine the cause of sticky keys. In acoustic pianos with wooden keys, this can be a problem with wood swelling due to increased humidity or temperature changes. On digital pianos, this is most often associated with dirt and debris.

In the first case, you need the help of a professional tuner. If the cause is dirt, you can clean them yourself.

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Instructions for Deep Cleaning a Digital Upright Pianos

Open the top cover. Unscrew the front panel and lift it up. You need to access the mechanism and keys. Look inside the top of the piano for foreign objects that are causing the keys to stick. If necessary, remove any foreign objects.

You can use special keyboard cleaning solutions. This dissolves the accumulated dust. It can clean all plastic, wood, ivory, and ivory keys.

When this is done and the problem is fixed, close the lid and screw the panels back on.

Instructions for Deep Cleaning a Digital Grand Pianos

Remove the board in front of the keys (there are screws under it). Removing panels from a digital grand piano can be more difficult than from an upright digital piano.

Remove the keyboard cover. If necessary, remove any foreign objects and clean them with a key cleaning solution. For example, Cory Key-Brite Piano Key Cleaner.

Then carefully close the lid and screw the panels back on.

To avoid heavy soiling and the need to disassemble the musical instrument for deep cleaning, we recommend that you regularly clean the keys and use a protective dust cover.

2. Debris Stuck Between or Under the Keys

Sometimes various small things can fall between the keys and get stuck there. It can be coins, paper clips, crumbs, and other things. Sometimes they get stuck between the keys, then they can be easily pulled out of the rack. But sometimes they fall deep into the musical instrument, and then you have to remove the cover or panels.

How can I tell if something is stuck between the keys? If you have two adjacent keys stuck, then some kind of debris is interfering with them.

If you see debris between the keys, you can get it out with tweezers, or use a butter knife or small screwdriver. But if debris has fallen under the keys, you can’t do without the need to unscrew the cover and disassemble the piano.

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3.  How to Fix Broken Keys on a Digital Piano

How do you fix broken digital piano keys? To do this, you have to disassemble the keyboard. Do not forget to pre-mark broken keys. You can use a sticker or washable marker for this.

Unscrew the top panel of your digital piano. The screws are usually on the back. Once it is removed, you will be able to identify the problem.

In any case, I recommend dusting the entire keyboard. Dust accumulates not only on the outside of the keys but also gets inside the instrument. It is necessary to carefully and gently clean all the sensors and remove dirt from them.

how to fix digital piano keys

Now you need to check the broken keys and the springs under them. Pull the key out by gently pushing down on the backside and lifting it. Remove any debris or objects that may be under the keys or inside the instrument.

If you have a broken key on your keyboard, you need to order a new key and have it replaced. Unfortunately, gluing the keys won’t be a very reliable option.

4. How to Fix Broken Synthesizer Keys

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Broken keys are also found on synthesizers. In this case, it is usually necessary to replace the full key bed. In this case, you need to order a new keybed from the manufacturer. The replacement process is similar to replacing keys on a digital piano. You also need to disassemble the keyboard. Only instead of 1 broken key, you need to replace the entire keyboard.

5.  How to Fix Dead or Unresponsive Keys on a Digital Pianos

If cleaning did not help, the piano key is not broken but does not work, do not rush to order a new key. What to do with a dead key? One possible reason could be electronics. You need to check the silicone gasket, which is quite easy and inexpensive to replace if there is a problem.

6.  How to Fix Cracked or Damaged Keysticks

Piano keys can sometimes become warped, bulge, break, or crack.

You need to carefully inspect the keys and check them for damage or cracks. Deformed and cracked keys, as well as broken ones, need to be replaced.

7. Problems With The Action

If you’ve already ruled out all of the above problems, but the keys still don’t work well, there may be a problem with the action. If you have a fully weighted keyboard, it uses not only electronics but also mechanisms. in this case, you need to seek help from professionals.

8. Problems with Keys You Can’t Fix on Your Own

Most often, repairing a stuck piano key or replacing a broken one is not very difficult. But it depends on the make and model of your keyboard. It also depends on whether you have experience with tools. But there are more complex problems, such as mechanisms or electronics, that require professional intervention. Personally, I prefer to turn to a professional technician anyway.

how to fix digital piano keys

Measures and Solutions to Common Repairs

Maintain your piano regularly. Don’t forget to clean the keys, use a small vacuum cleaner to remove dust from hard-to-reach places.

Do not neglect the service center during the warranty period. And even after the warranty expires, if you are not confident in your abilities, you should entrust the repair to professionals.

When repairing, be sure to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer.

Quick Fixes to Sticky Problems

Try to clean your piano regularly. If you have cats, don’t let them climb on the piano. Cat hair can give you a lot of problems.

Tips To Follow

Do not use harsh chemicals to clean the keys. They can ruin them!

If possible, do not place the piano near the outer wall of the building to avoid temperature differences. This is extremely important for acoustic pianos, but desirable for digital ones as well.

Keep the area around the piano clean. Keep drinks and food away from the instrument. Try not to place small objects on the piano – paper clips, coins, pencils – so that they do not get inside the keyboard.

Some Warnings

  • Observe safety precautions when working with tools.
  • Be sure to unplug your piano before you start disassembling and repairing it.
  • Read the instructions before starting repairs.
  • If you do not have experience, it is better not to disassemble the piano by yourself, but contact the repair center.

Final thoughts

how to fix digital piano keys

This concludes our theme. We talked about what problems can be with the keys of electronic keyboards and what are ways to solve them. I hope that your piano will work long and well and you will not need these tips.

I hope that your piano will bring you only joy and pleasure from playing music and creating. If you are a music maker, I invite you to read about how you can use your digital piano as a midi controller. I wish you inspiration, creativity, and success in playing.

If you have been playing for a long time, I suggest you listen to the 11 most difficult pieces. Perhaps one of them will become your favorite piece of music.

Best regards, your Lucy.

Watch a youtube video on how to diagnose and repair digital pianos and keyboards

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