How to properly remove the keyboard from an ASUS laptop: instructions for beginners and experienced users

Removing the keyboard from a laptop ASUS - a task that every owner faces sooner or later. The reasons may be different: from banal cleaning of dust and crumbs to replacing faulty buttons or completely replacing the module. However, many users are afraid of damaging the device, not knowing how to properly approach the process. In fact, if you have the right tools and understand the design of the laptop, removing the keyboard is no more difficult than replacing the battery in the remote control.

In this article we will analyze the process of removing the keyboard on popular models ASUS - from budget VivoBook to gaming ROG Strix. You will learn what tools you will need, how to avoid common mistakes (for example, damage to the cable or latches), and what to do if the keyboard is “glued” to the case. And for those who have never disassembled laptops, we have prepared step by step photos and video recommendations.

What tools are needed to remove the keyboard?

Before you start disassembling, make sure you have everything you need. The absence of even one tool can turn a simple procedure into agony. Here minimum set, which will be required in 90% of cases:

• 🔧 Plastic paddle (pick) - for carefully prying the latches. Metal screwdrivers may scratch the housing.
• ⚙️ Phillips screwdriver (PH0 or PH00) - most screws in laptops ASUS have a cross slot.
• 📏 Thin flathead screwdriver (1.5–2 mm) - for unscrewing small screws under the keyboard.
• 🧲 Magnetic mat or container - so as not to lose screws (there can be up to 20 of them!).
• 🔍 Magnifying glass or flashlight - will help you see small latches, especially in models ZenBook with a thin body.

For some models (eg ASUS TUF Gaming) may be required special screwdriver with five-point slot (Torx T5) — it is needed for the screws that secure the bottom cover. If you are not sure which screws are used in your model, check tool compatibility table below.

⚠️ Attention: Do not use a knife or other sharp objects to pry up the keyboard! This is almost guaranteed to lead to scratches on the case or damage to the plastic latches. A plastic spatula costs a penny, but will save you from expensive repairs.

Preparing a laptop for disassembly: what needs to be done before removing the keyboard

Even if you can't wait to get started, don't skip this step. Improper preparation can lead to data loss, short circuit or damage to the motherboard. Here's what to do necessarily:

1. Turn off your laptop and disconnect the charger. If the battery is removable, remove it. For models with a built-in battery (for example, ASUS ZenBook Flip) just turn off the power.
2. Back up important data. Although removing the keyboard does not itself affect the drive, there is always a risk of accidental damage.
3. Discharge static electricity. Touch a metal object (such as a radiator) or use an antistatic wrist strap.
4. Check the warranty. If the laptop is under warranty, disassembling it yourself will void it. In this case, it is better to contact the service center ASUS.

We also recommend take a photo of the location of the screws before unscrewing them. This seems like a small thing, but in practice many users confuse screws of different lengths, which leads to damage to the case during assembly. For example, in ASUS ROG Zephyrus Three different sizes of screws are used!

Step-by-step instructions: how to remove the keyboard from an ASUS laptop

The process for removing the keyboard differs depending on the model, but the general procedure is the same for most laptops ASUS. We will analyze the universal algorithm, and then indicate the features for popular series.

Step 1: Removing the Bottom Cover (if required)

In some models (for example, ASUS VivoBook S14/15) the keyboard is secured with screws that are only accessible after removing the bottom cover. To remove it:

1. Turn the laptop over and unscrew all the screws around the perimeter. Usually there are 8–12 of them.
2. Using a plastic spatula, carefully pry the lid off, starting at the corner. Be careful - the latches can be fragile!
3. Disconnect the cables (if they are in the way) and set the cover aside.

Step 2: Unscrewing the Keyboard Screws

There are usually 3-5 screws hidden under the keyboard. They may be:

• 🔹 Under the rubber feet (pry them up carefully).
• 🔹 Under stickers (for example, with a serial number).
• 🔹 Under the keys themselves (you will have to remove 1-2 keys, for example, F1 or Delete).

In models ASUS ROG Strix screws can be hidden under decorative panel above the keyboard. To remove it, carefully pry it from the side with a plastic spatula.

Step 3: Disconnecting the Keyboard Cable

This is the most crucial moment. The keyboard cable is connected to the motherboard via ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) connector. To disconnect it:

1. Carefully lift the black latch of the connector up (it secures the cable).
2. Pull the train towards you parallel to the board (not up!).
3. If the cable does not budge, do not force it - check whether the latch is completely open.

⚠️ Attention: In laptops ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo keyboard connected via two loops (main and for backlighting). If you are removing the keyboard for cleaning, just disconnect the main one. But if you are planning a complete replacement, disable both.

Make sure your laptop is turned off and unplugged|

Make sure the connector latch is lifted all the way|

Pull the cable smoothly, without jerking|

Do not touch the cable contacts with your fingers (risk of static discharge)|-->

Step 4: Removing the Keyboard

After unscrewing the screws and disconnecting the cable, the keyboard is usually held in place by plastic latches. To remove it:

1. Gently pry the keyboard from any corner with a plastic spatula.
2. Gradually move along the edge, releasing the latches. Do not try to remove the keyboard by force!
3. If the keyboard is "glued" (as in some ASUS Transformer Book), warm the edge with a hairdryer (temperature no higher than 50°C) and carefully pry it off.

In models with metal body (For example, ASUS ExpertBook) latches may be tighter. Help here alternate pressing on different parts of the keyboard for uniform clicking.

Features of removing the keyboard on popular ASUS models

Although the general disassembly principle is the same, each series of laptops ASUS has its own nuances. We have collected them in a table for convenience:

Model	Mounting features	Screw type	Removal difficulty (1–5)
ASUS VivoBook 14/15 (X415, X515)	Keyboard with 4 screws + latches. Train under the decorative panel.	Cross (PH0)	2
ASUS ROG Strix (G531, G731)	Screws under rubber feet. Additional latches on the sides.	Phillips + Torx T5	4
ASUS ZenBook 13/14 (UX325, UX425)	Thin body, fragile latches. Screws under stickers.	Cross (PH00)	5
ASUS TUF Gaming (FA506, FX505)	The keyboard is screwed to the top panel. Removal of the bottom cover is required.	Phillips + Torx T5	3
ASUS Chromebook (C423, C425)	Keyboard with latches, no screws. Train with additional fixation.	Without screws	1

If your model is not in the table, look disassembly on YouTube on request"ASUS [your model] keyboard removal". For example, for ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 There are detailed videos with notes in English.

What to do if the screw is licked?

If the Phillips screwdriver turns in a licked screw, try the following methods:

1. Use rubber band — place it between the screwdriver and the screw for better grip.

2. Take screwdriver with left-hand thread (if the screw is not completely licked).

3. As a last resort, drill out the screw with a drill with a thin drill bit (only if you do not plan further assembly!).

Common mistakes when removing the keyboard and how to avoid them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that lead to breakdowns. Here TOP-5 most common jambs and how to prevent them:

• 🔌 Damage to the cable - happens if you pull it upwards rather than parallel to the board. Solution: Always lift the connector latch all the way.
• 🔧 Lost screws - especially true for models with screws of different lengths. Solution: use a magnetic mat or container with cells.
• 💥 Broken latches - most often happens in thin laptops (for example, ZenBook). Solution: heat the case with a hairdryer (max. 50°C) to soften the plastic.
• ⚡ Static electricity - may damage the motherboard. Solution: Wear an antistatic wrist strap or regularly touch grounded objects.
• 🔄 Incorrect assembly - if you mix up the screws, the case may become deformed. Solution: Take photographs of each stage of disassembly.

In ASUS laptops of the ROG Strix SCAR series, the keyboard cable has additional fixation in the form of adhesive tape. If you do not remove it, you may break the contacts when disconnecting the cable. To avoid this, carefully pry up the tape with your fingernail or a plastic spatula.

Cleaning and replacing the keyboard: what to do after removal

When the keyboard is finally removed, you can begin the main task - cleaning, repair or replacement. Here's what you can do:

• 🧹 Cleaning from dust and debris - use soft brush And compressed air cylinder. For sticky stains, use a cotton swab soaked in isopropyl alcohol.
• 🔧 Replacing faulty keys - in ASUS keys like "scissor mechanism". They can be bought on AliExpress or in service centers.
• 🔄 Replacing the entire keyboard - when buying a new one, check the compatibility model number (printed on the back of the old keyboard).
• 💡 Replacing the backlight — if individual keys do not light up, the problem may be in the backlight cable (in models with RGB backlighting).

If you are cleaning your keyboard, do not use water or household chemicals - this may damage the contacts. Suitable for disinfection 70% isopropyl alcohol (not ethanol!). Apply it to a cotton pad, not to your keyboard.

When replacing keys, pay attention to clamps - they must fit clearly into the grooves. If the key is loose after installation, check whether the metal frame is bent. In models ASUS ROG keys WASD often have additional springs - they also need to be installed correctly.

Reassembling the laptop after removing the keyboard

Assembly is no less important process than disassembly. Here are the key points to pay attention to:

1. Check all cables - they must be tightly inserted into the connectors, and the latches must be lowered until they click.
2. Tighten the screws crosswise (like the wheels of a car) to avoid distortion of the body.
3. Check the keyboard operation until final assembly. Connect your laptop to the charger and turn it on (without the bottom cover) to make sure all the keys work.
4. Make sure there are no extra screws - This is a common error that leads to damage to the motherboard.

If after assembly some keys do not work, check:

• Is the cable connected correctly (maybe it is not fully inserted).
• Is the cable damaged (inspect for creases or breaks).
• Are the contacts dirty (wipe them with alcohol).

⚠️ Attention: In laptops ASUS ZenBook Duo The keyboard is connected to the cooling system. If the laptop overheats after reassembly, check to see if there is anything blocking the fan (such as a forgotten screw or piece of plastic).

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is it possible to remove the keyboard from an ASUS laptop without removing the bottom cover?

In most models (eg VivoBook or ExpertBook) the keyboard is secured with screws that are only accessible after removing the bottom cover. However, in some ultrabooks (for example, ZenBook 13) the screws can be hidden under rubber feet or stickers - in this case it is not necessary to remove the cover.

What should I do if my laptop does not turn on after removing the keyboard?

Most likely, the problem is one of three:

1. The keyboard cable is not connected (but the laptop should turn on, the keyboard just won’t work).
2. The touchpad cable is damaged (in some models it runs under the keyboard).
3. Forgot to connect the battery (if you removed it).

Check all connectors and try to turn on the laptop without a keyboard (by connecting an external one).

How to remove the keyboard on ASUS ROG Strix if the screws are under the rubber feet?

Gently pry off the legs with a plastic spatula or tweezers. Under them you will find screws - usually 2-4 pieces. In models ROG Strix G531 there are also hidden screws under the keys F1 And Delete — they need to be removed by prying the keys off from above with a thin screwdriver.

Is it possible to clean an ASUS keyboard without completely removing it?

Yes, but the efficiency will be lower. You can:

• Use compressed air cylinder for blowing out dust.
• Wipe the keys wet wipe with isopropyl alcohol (do not pour liquid directly onto the keyboard!).
• Remove individual keys for cleaning (but be careful - the clips break easily).

However, for deep cleaning (such as sticky stains or spills), it is best to remove the keyboard.

Where can I buy a replacement keyboard for ASUS?

Original keyboards can be ordered:

• On ASUS official website (section "Spare parts").
• On AliExpress (search by exact laptop model).
• B service centers (for example, "Ac-Center" or "Laptop-Service").

The cost varies from 1,500 to 10,000 rubles depending on the model. For gaming laptops (ROG) keyboards with RGB backlighting are more expensive.