How To Fix Broken Keys On A Digital Piano/Keyboard – Easy Solution

There’s nothing more frustrating than a broken key on your digital piano or keyboard. After spending over 20 years playing keyboards, I’ve come across pretty much every scenario of broken keys.

The good news is that you can fix most broken keys with a little bit of work. While there are several reasons that your key on your digital piano is broken, the fix is usually gone about the same way.

This article will teach you how to fix a key that is stuck, sticky keys, and keys that just aren’t making noise properly.

Keep in mind that this process can change slightly depending on your keyboard’s age and the reason for the problem.

Note: While I am showing a way to fix your broken key, it is always best to let the manufacturer deal with it if it’s still in warranty.

If your keyboard is older and not in warranty, you’ve come to the right place.

The best part about this is that you shouldn’t need many tools. The only tools you will need are a Phillips screwdriver, potentially a replacement key that you get from the manufacturer, and potentially some glue.

*Note: We are not responsible should you break your digital piano. We’ve created this as a means to try and help you out should you be struggling.

What Causes Your Keys To Not Work?

The main problems that we’ve seen with broken keys are the following:

1) Dust build-up (The sensors are dirty and need to be cleaned)

2) A penny or a coin has fallen inside of the key-bed

3) Part of the key has snapped (Typically when a key is stuck in place, this is because the backend of the key is broken)

4) The spring below the key is broken

How To Repair A Broken Digital Piano Key

First things first, make sure you take pictures frequently and place parts that you take out together. The last thing you want to do is fix the key and then forget where the parts go.

Now let’s take a look at what you need to do:

1) Find a Phillips screwdriver and determine the best place to open up your keyboard/digital piano. Always mark whichever key(s) aren’t working so you know exactly where to look. You can do this with tape and a sharpie.

With most keyboards, you will notice that the screws to get open up the keyboard are on the backside.

If you have a digital console piano, you may be unscrewing the top to get at the keys.

2) Determine what your problem is. Is your key stuck, not going down all the way, making a weird noise, or making zero noise?

3) If you have a keyboard with less than 88 keys, I would recommend cleaning the sensors first. If you have an older keyboard and open it up and see dust, this will most likely be your problem.

4) Gently clean the sensors and get all of the dirt out.

5) Inspect the keys that aren’t making a sound.

6) For digital pianos, there will likely be springs beneath the keys. 

7) Pull the key out by gently pushing down on the backside and lifting it.

8) If you have found the problem, such as a penny or a coin, remove it. If your key is broken/chipped, you will need to order a new key.

9) Determine the type of key that your keyboard uses by doing a Google search and then type in replacement keys for that specific keyboard.

10) Order the key and replace it.

This process is going to vary from keyboard to digital piano. I will always advise you to check out Youtube for your specific keyboard since people might have a simple tutorial.

Even the best digital pianos can have their problems, though they are typically rare. If you have a higher-end digital piano, contact your manufacturer and explain to them that you need a key-replacement for whichever model you own.

With this being said, you will always determine your problem and then take a deeper look by getting underneath the hood and observing the key-bed.

Broken Synthesizer Keys

I have dealt with this problem on my Dave Smith Prophet keyboard many of times. Typically, what happens is one of the keys will begin to stick up.

The fix for synthesizers is that you usually have to replace the full key-bed. For this, you will need to contact your manufacturer.

They will then send you a video or manual on how to replace it, but it’s typically the same process of opening up your keyboard, only you will be removing the key-bed.

Wrapping Up

Replacing a key on a digital piano is frustrating, but it can be gratifying as you’re potentially saving hundreds of dollars.

If your problem seems a bit more advanced and you don’t see anything strange when opening up your keyboard, contact your manufacturer and see what they can do.

If this helps you fix your digital piano keys, let me know in the comments!