My computer space key doesn't work .? How to fix

Have you tried cleaning out the keyboard with some compressed air? Sometimes crumbs/debris get lodged under the keys.

To my knowledge there's nothing you did to accidentally disable the keys with a command.

Thanks that may be what it is I blew real hard and then one arrow key worked. I think I have a can in the basement.

Can't find it ... will need to go out later and pick one up. Hopefully this is all it is.

You might be able to pop the keys off, do a good cleaning job then put them back on depending on the type of keyboard.

Even if you get it to work by blowing in it, you might want to think about replacing the keyboard. On many types of laptops this is something you can do yourself for about $50. I would at least google my laptop model to see how easy/cheap this is.

That's pretty poor advice. A few shots of compressed air will fix 95% of such problems. For stubborn cases, I would (gently) pry off the key cap(s) and clean it with a cotton swab.

This is what is called preventive maintenance.

In my experience, sticking keys are often the sign of a generally failing keyboard and after you fix one set, the another set will go next. If keys keep sticking there is a point where the annoyance of having to carry around compressed air outweighs the cost of a new keyboard.

Of course at some point keyboards fail completely (and can no longer be shaken into compliance). If you are near the end of life of the keyboard, it makes sense to fix it sooner, rather than later.

And, I'll emphasize that my experience indicates otherwise. As a retired computer field engineer w/ decades of 'civilian' consumer experience, my practice is that proper maintenance is to clean your keyboard with compressed air with an occasional removal of key-caps and cleaning with tightly-packed cotton swabs. Saves you a lot of problems and cost is minimal.

In corporate settings, this practice is done (PM) to maintain a fleet of laptops. Be aware that there are some keyboards you cannot pry the caps off. In which case, of course, you just use air only.

Who said a thing about carrying compressed air around? Use the air at home base or in the office.

Sure Ragman, that's fine for maintenance.

But when a laptop keyboard starts failing in a corporate setting, you swap it out for a new one, right? That's what the techs at my company do. You've never replaced a keyboard?

I accept that she should try the compressed air and cotton swabs first. But on my old dell, the rockers started to wear so the keys would keep jamming. In this case, since I knew I was going to have to replace the keyboard sooner or later... I chose sooner so that I would have more time with a perfectly new keyboard.

This sort of discussion is pointless. I propose proper preventive maintenance. Of course, you would replace a broken keyboard. When it's dirty or starts to stick, you clean it.

It worked other than now I cannot put the space bar back it has two thin rods on either side .. any thoughts

Well some how I managed to slide it back in so it clicked? Now I just think I am high on compressed air.

Thanks for your help.

Yes, the space-bar is a tad trickier than the small key-caps to re-attach but once you've done it once and see how it works you'll have no problem.

YVW. Good luck and keep on stroking.

Thanks it is my personal lap top not a company issued one so I need to maintain it to allow me to work from a few days a week.