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Lenovo ThinkPad T460 Keyboard Replacement

Introduction

This guide will show you how to replace the keyboard in your Lenovo ThinkPad T460 laptop.

A properly functioning keyboard will register keystrokes on the laptop’s display. Functioning keys will pop back up to their normal position after typing and will feel securely attached to the keyboard.

A keyboard that is malfunctioning may only register some keystrokes (or no keystrokes at all) on the laptop’s display. Certain keys may get stuck when pressed down or keycaps may feel loose and wobbly when typing.

If you suspect that your keyboard issues are software-related, visit this PCMag article for more information.

Make sure to disable the internal battery, power down your device, and disconnect from any external power sources before you begin.

What you need

  1. Lenovo ThinkPad T460 Keyboard Replacement, External Battery: step 1, image 1 of 3 Lenovo ThinkPad T460 Keyboard Replacement, External Battery: step 1, image 2 of 3 Lenovo ThinkPad T460 Keyboard Replacement, External Battery: step 1, image 3 of 3

    • Before you begin this guide, make sure to disable the internal battery, power down your device, and disconnect from any external power sources.

    • Place the laptop so that the bottom is facing upwards.

    • Slide the latch on the left side of the battery to the left until it clicks in place.

    Edit

  2. Lenovo ThinkPad T460 Keyboard Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 3 Lenovo ThinkPad T460 Keyboard Replacement: step 2, image 2 of 3 Lenovo ThinkPad T460 Keyboard Replacement: step 2, image 3 of 3

    • Slide the latch on the right side of the battery to the right and hold it in place with your thumb.

    • Use your other hand to slide the battery towards the back of the laptop.

    • Lift the battery up and away from the laptop.

    Edit

  3. Lenovo ThinkPad T460 Keyboard Replacement, Keyboard: step 3, image 1 of 2 Lenovo ThinkPad T460 Keyboard Replacement, Keyboard: step 3, image 2 of 2

    • Use the pointed end of a spudger to pry the two rubber stoppers out of the battery compartment.

    Edit

  4. Lenovo ThinkPad T460 Keyboard Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 2 Lenovo ThinkPad T460 Keyboard Replacement: step 4, image 2 of 2

    • Place the laptop so that the top is facing upwards.

    • Open the lid of the laptop.

    Edit

  5. Lenovo ThinkPad T460 Keyboard Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 3 Lenovo ThinkPad T460 Keyboard Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 3 Lenovo ThinkPad T460 Keyboard Replacement: step 5, image 3 of 3

    • Use the pointed end of a spudger to push the keyboard towards the screen using the two notches on the bottom of the keyboard.

    Edit

  7. Lenovo ThinkPad T460 Keyboard Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 2 Lenovo ThinkPad T460 Keyboard Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 2

    • Loosen the six captive screws in the keyboard frame using a Phillips #0 screwdriver.

    • These screws are hard to see. Make sure you have pushed the keyboard towards the screen as far as it will go to see the screws better.

    Edit

  8. Lenovo ThinkPad T460 Keyboard Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 2 Lenovo ThinkPad T460 Keyboard Replacement: step 7, image 2 of 2

    • Use your hands to pull the keyboard up and towards you by a few millimeters to remove it from its tray.

    • Potential for device damage: The keyboard is still attached to the rest of the laptop, so be gentle when lifting it.

    Edit

  9. Lenovo ThinkPad T460 Keyboard Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 2 Lenovo ThinkPad T460 Keyboard Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 2

    • Grab the bottom edge of the keyboard with your hands, and flip the keyboard upside-down, so it rests on the bottom of the laptop.

    • Potential for device damage: The keyboard is still attached to the rest of the laptop, so be gentle when flipping it over.

    Edit

  10. Lenovo ThinkPad T460 Keyboard Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 2 Lenovo ThinkPad T460 Keyboard Replacement: step 9, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    Tweezers
    $4.99
    Buy

    • Use a pair of blunt-nosed tweezers to lift the black flap away from the cable connectors.

    Edit

  11. Lenovo ThinkPad T460 Keyboard Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 2 Lenovo ThinkPad T460 Keyboard Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 2

    • Use the flat end of a spudger to flip up the locking flap securing the ribbon cable.

    Edit

  12. Lenovo ThinkPad T460 Keyboard Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 2 Lenovo ThinkPad T460 Keyboard Replacement: step 11, image 2 of 2

    • Use a pair of blunt-nosed tweezers to pull the ribbon cable out of its connector.

    Edit

  13. Lenovo ThinkPad T460 Keyboard Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 2 Lenovo ThinkPad T460 Keyboard Replacement: step 12, image 2 of 2

    • Use the flat end of a spudger to flip up the locking flap securing the bottom ribbon cable.

    Edit

  14. Lenovo ThinkPad T460 Keyboard Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 2 Lenovo ThinkPad T460 Keyboard Replacement: step 13, image 2 of 2

    • Use a pair of blunt-nosed tweezers to pull the ribbon cable out of its connector.

    Edit

  15. Lenovo ThinkPad T460 Keyboard Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 2 Lenovo ThinkPad T460 Keyboard Replacement: step 14, image 2 of 2

    • Pull the ribbon cables through the slot in the black flap.

    • Remove the black flap from the keyboard.

    Edit

  16. Lenovo ThinkPad T460 Keyboard Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 2 Lenovo ThinkPad T460 Keyboard Replacement: step 15, image 2 of 2

    • Use your hands to lift the keyboard up and away from the laptop.

    Edit
Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Answers community for help.

2 other people completed this guide.

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Kristen Gismondi

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