How To Clean Rubber Push Botton Contacts

Download Commodity

Download Commodity

No matter how good your remote is, it volition get dirty and wear out from frequent employ. Fifty-fifty if some of the keys have stopped working or have to be pushed really hard, they can be fixed. The most mutual problem has to practise with the keypad'south electrical conductivity with the circuit lath. Open up the remote, clean it out, and apply a new coat of conductive paint to become the keys working again. If you're looking for a quicker fix, employ foil in place of the paint. The electrical contacts in the bombardment chamber also wear out, so scrub them clean if they expect corroded. With the correct handling, yous can make an erstwhile remote last for years.

1. one

   Snap a motion-picture show of the push configuration before opening the remote. Information technology's best to do this earlier opening the remote. Some of the buttons may come up flying out when you open it. Use your phone or draw a diagram if yous don't have a user manual with one in it. Also, annotation and document the position of any screws on the remote.^[ane]

   • The solution used to fix on the remote takes some time to dry out. Forgetting the button positioning is very like shooting fish in a barrel when you lot're forced to wait before putting it dorsum together. Fortunately, yous will have a handy motion-picture show to make it easier!
   • Putting back the screws tin too be confusing, so make certain yous accept pictures of all of them and know where they belong.

2. 2

   Take the batteries out of the remote control. Undo the embrace on the dorsum of your controller to pull out the batteries. Removing the batteries will deactivate the controller. Information technology's always a good idea to deactivate the controller this way earlier applying whatever sort of fluid to the electrical components inside of it.^[ii]

   • Depending on the remote, yous may need to remove the batteries to open the casing anyway.

   Advertisement

3. 3

   Find and remove any screws keeping the remote together. All remotes are different, so taking them apart isn't always a straightforward process. Well-nigh of them take a couple of screws in the dorsum. Use a mini Phillips screwdriver to turn the screws counterclockwise until you're able to remove them. If y'all don't see any screws on the back, cheque the battery compartment and besides expect underneath any stickers or sliding covers.^[3]

   • Some remotes may non have whatsoever visible screws. These types of removes usually but need to be pried open with a dull bract.
   • Be cautious when removing the screws. If the screwdriver slips, information technology could scratch up your remote.

4. four

   Open the remote with a butter knife or some other ho-hum tool. Look for a crack running along the side or border of the remote. Most remotes consist of 2 plastic halves. By separating the halves, you can admission the internal electronics. Wedge the pocketknife into the fissure, pry up the encompass, and use your hands to pop it off.^[4]

   • Handle the remote carefully to avoid scratching it. Never try to open it with anything abrupt.

   Advertisement

1. 1

   Purchase a keypad repair kit that can exist used to set the remote. A keypad repair kit comes with several brushes and a bottle of conductive pigment. Plan on getting ane that includes a cleaning fluid likewise, such as rubbing booze or acetone, so you take everything y'all need for the repair. Getting a repair kit is well worth the cost, especially if you're trying to fix an expensive remote or ane that is no longer manufactured. A typical repair kit costs between $20 and $30, although you may notice smaller kits for less.

   • Repair kits are available online and at some electronics stores.
   • These repair kits work for other devices, including garage door openers, calculators, and even keyboards.

2. two

   Launder the prophylactic buttons off with lather and water. Remotes either accept individual buttons or a sail of plastic with all the buttons attached. Remove the individual buttons or the entire canvas and take information technology to your sink. Make full a bowl with warm h2o, then mix in at least 1 US tbsp (fifteen mL) of a liquid dish detergent. Soak the buttons and scrub them clean with a soft brush.^[5]

   • Utilise one of the brushes in your kit or become an old toothbrush. Rub away whatever noticeable debris, but spend extra fourth dimension scrubbing whatever buttons that stick when you lot printing them.

3. three

   Rinse the buttons and plastic instance off under running water. Become some warm water running in your sink. Move all of the buttons there. The parts of the plastic case, as long as they don't contain any electronic components, are too safe to launder this way. Make certain you become all of the soap and remaining debris earlier allowing the components to dry out.^[6]

   • Exam the buttons. If they stick or feel sticky, then spend more than fourth dimension scrubbing them. Wait closely for whatsoever debris that could cause them to stop functioning.

4. iv

   Fix the buttons in a spot with good air circulation to dry. Spread out a towel on your countertop, for instance, and put the buttons and instance parts there. Keep them in a relatively secure place out of straight sunlight. Decrease the drying time past keeping them out in the open.^[vii]

   • Brand sure the remote control components are out of the way so they don't end up getting knocked over and lost.
   • The parts take to be completely dry earlier going dorsum into the remote or else the moisture could damage the circuitry.

5. 5

   Wipe the circuit board with rubbing alcohol. The best solution to utilize on the electric components is rubbing alcohol. Dip a cotton wool ball in rubbing alcohol to dampen it, then wipe away whatever debris you run across inside the remote. Make sure the cotton ball isn't dripping, or else you could use more liquid than you intend.^[8]

   • The electrical parts are frail, and so utilize rubbing alcohol sparingly by using something soft, such as a cotton ball.

6. 6

   Utilise conductive paint to the keypad contacts. The contacts are underneath each push and remainder against the remote's excursion board. Most kits include a small paper match or castor you lot tin use to spread the paint. Dip the match in the paint, then employ a thin coat of it to the bottom of each contact. Make sure the safety contacts are all well-coated.^[9]

   • Check the repair kit instructions before opening the included jar of pigment. You may need to prepare or mix information technology in a certain mode in order to use it.

7. seven

   Allow the remote dry out for up to 72 hours. The conductive pigment dries in about 24 hours, but it doesn't completely cure until 72 hours have passed. To ensure the repair is successful, expect the total 72 hours if yous are able to spare the time. In the meantime, continue the keypad on the towel you set out when letting it dry before.^[10]

   • Leave the keypad with the contacts confront so the paint doesn't rub off on the towel.

8. 8

   Put the remote back together and test information technology. After having to look for 3 days, you may have forgotten how all the pieces fit together. It'southward not a trouble, since yous took a picture of the remote earlier. Refer to the picture while putting all sliding bars, loose buttons, screws, and other components back where they belong. Replace the batteries when y'all're washed.^[eleven]

   • If the remote all the same doesn't work, it may be time to invest in a replacement. Have the sometime remote to a facility that recycles electronics.

   Advert

1. 1

   Make a note of the buttons that do not role. The buttons you most commonly used are likely to vesture out first. This includes the ability, volume, and channel buttons. Make up one's mind where these buttons are located earlier and subsequently you open the remote. Write downwards the locations and so y'all know which ones to set.

   • Test all of the buttons before opening the remote. That manner, you can repair them all at once instead of having to open the remote multiple times.

2. ii

   Clean the rubber contacts with rubbing alcohol if they are muddy. Check all the buttons, only pay actress attention to the ones that aren't functioning correctly. When they are new, they have a shiny coating of conductive paint on them. This paint wears off over fourth dimension and may also collect dust or other debris. Dampen a cotton swab in a little bit of rubbing booze, then wipe away the droppings.^[12]

   • If your remote needs a deeper cleaning, have out the removable components and wash them with soap and water. Scrub the electronic components with rubbing alcohol.

3. iii

   Cut pieces of aluminum foil to fit over the contacts. The exact size of the foil isn't also important, but try to cut it so information technology's similar to the pads. If y'all have a hole punch, use it to create perfect circles that match the contacts. Otherwise, utilise a sharp pair of pair of scissors. You tin can cut the foil into small squares that are almost the same size as the contacts.^[13]

   • If the foil is too big, it may become in the style of the other contacts or neglect to fit inside the remote. Y'all really can't make the foil too pocket-sized, however.

4. 4

   Glue the foil to the non-operation contacts. Attempt using a contact agglutinative, which is a very stiff type of rubber cement. Yous may also have success with super glue or craft gum. Instead of squeezing the glue directly onto the contacts, dip the tip of something pocket-sized, similar a matchstick, into it. Use it to spread a thin but consequent layer of gum across each contact.^[14]

   • While y'all can clasp the gum onto the contacts, you will usually end up using too much of it. It tin lead to a mess that is difficult to clean up.
   • If you lot're having a hard time placing the foil on the contacts, apply tweezers or another tool. Positioning the small-scale squares by hand can be difficult.

5. five

   Wait at to the lowest degree xxx minutes for the glue to dry. Check the manufacturer's instructions for an verbal recommendation. Contact adhesive and other glues you may use tend to dry relatively quickly. Nonetheless, you may wish to go out the remote alone for longer to ensure the glue fully cures. Some super glues tin can take every bit long as 24 hours to cure.

   • Fix the remote parts out on a towel with the contacts upwardly in the air. This will help the mucilage dry and also preclude the foil from coming off the contacts.

6. six

   Reassemble the remote and test it. Put the keypad dorsum inside the casing. Refer to a pic or diagram of your remote to position whatsoever loose parts correctly. Brand sure the keypad contacts residuum against the excursion board as well. When y'all're done, put the batteries back in to use the remote.^[15]

   • If the buttons notwithstanding aren't working, you lot may need to supplant the remote.

   Advert

1. 1

   Put on gloves and other safety equipment. Battery acid is very harsh, so don't let any get on your peel. Consider wearing long pants and a long-sleeved shirt as well. A safety mask, such equally a dust mask, respirator mask, or fifty-fifty a confront mask, is a must.^[sixteen]

   • To make cleanup easier, accept some fourth dimension to prepare your work surface. Spread newspaper out nether the remote to catch whatever corrosion.
   • Work in an surface area with proficient ventilation. Turn on ventilation fans or open nearby doors and windows.

2. two

   Spread vinegar or lemon juice on any noticeable acid. Pull the batteries out of the remote and set them aside. If the batteries have begun leaking, you volition see white flakes like rust inside the remote. Clasp a drop of the liquid onto the corroded spots to neutralize them. Y'all can use a cotton swab to aid spread the liquid effectually.^[17]

   • If y'all don't see any signs of corrosion, y'all don't have to worry about neutralizing annihilation and tin focus on cleaning the electrical contacts inside the battery chamber.
   • You tin can mix in a lilliputian baking soda to clear stubborn spots of corrosion.

3. 3

   Scrub away the corrosion using a cotton fiber swab. An former toothbrush tin can besides be helpful for removing the corrosion. Wipe the corrosion off the batteries first, and so work on the battery sleeping accommodation in the remote. When you're washed, check it over for anything you lot missed. Sometimes the corrosion is very small-scale and can be easy to overlook.^[18]

   • Wipe the corrosion off onto a paper or sweep it into a garbage bag. Exist careful to avoid spreading it throughout your home.
   • If y'all need to, employ a toothpick or pencil eraser to reach anything you can't remove with a cotton swab or toothbrush.

4. 4

   Articulate the electric contacts with 150-grit sandpaper. If the contacts inside of the remote'southward battery sleeping accommodation await dirty, clean them. Try scrubbing them with a piece of 150-grit sandpaper. Wear off the corrosion, taking care not to rub the spots that announced clean. Throw abroad the sandpaper when you lot're done.^[19]

   • Apply a metal file to clean areas that are tough to reach. Another practiced tool to accept around is a wire brush, which tin can likewise be used in place of the sandpaper.
   • When you're washed, install new batteries and exam the remote. Corroded terminals tin can't properly receive power from batteries, so cleaning them can make the remote work again. If it still doesn't work, y'all may need to purchase a new one.

   Advertisement

Add New Question

• Question

  What kind of adhesive is an impact adhesive?

  

  I retrieve they meant "contact adhesive". Also, apply the foil pieces to the contact points on back of the rubber (silicone) buttons (unremarkably flat black dots), NOT on the circuit board as was illustrated. Doing as is illustrated will definitely ruin the remote.

• Question

  How do I modify the batteries in my DirecTV remote command?

  

  There should be a panel on the back of the remote that opens. You can and then remove the one-time batteries and replace them.

• Question

  What practice I practise if the book controls on my remote aren't working?

  

  Commencement by changing the batteries in your remote. If that doesn't solve the trouble, at that place may be damaged to the book keys or circuitry, so I would recommend purchasing a new remote.

• Question

  How can I repair a remote control that got wet?

  

  Try filling a mason jar that's big enough for the remote with white rice and stick the remote in it overnight or xx-4 hours or until dry out. if this doesn't work but buy a new remote.

• Question

  I am missing a contact in the battery compartment. How do I repair this?

  

  I would probably look upwards what contact I am missing, then go to the store and purchase it, then try to repair information technology myself.

• Question

  Tin can I utilise soap and warm water for all plastic and prophylactic parts, and so lighter fuel for the circuit lath connections?

  

  I have used soap and water to clean the rubber parts in the remote, and a pencil eraser to make clean the metallic contacts. I take done this with several remotes with long lasting success. Exist certain to let the parts dry out throughly.

• Question

  How practice I find information on the wiring of my remote control?

  

  Brett Gilbert

  Top Answerer

  Check the owner's transmission to see if it's in there. If it isn't, effort searching online according to the manufacturer and model you lot accept. Generally, remotes are all pretty elementary and wired similarly, and then you tin can effigy it out equally you go along, if necessary.

• Question

  What can I do if the remote sound has never worked?

  

  Brett Gilbert

  Top Answerer

  Make certain it'south compatible with your device kickoff. If information technology's new, information technology might be defective. Contact the store and manufacturer for recommendations. If it'due south old, cleaning information technology and using conductive paint may help.

• Question

  How do I repair a cracked excursion board on a remote control?

  

  Brett Gilbert

  Top Answerer

  Try using a soldering fe to solder information technology back together. Y'all may demand to deal with a lot of minor connectors, and so information technology tin can be a frustrating experience. Employ copper solder, for example, to fill in croaky copper connectors.

• Question

  How to get a replacement genie control?

  

  Search online places similar Google, Amazon, Ebay, etc. Google ofttimes shows sellers in different States-- check those sellers' websites considering they ofttimes conduct older, or out of stock, items.

Show more than answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to become a bulletin when this question is answered.

Submit

Ad

Video

• Check your remote'due south IR light by pointing it at a phone or video camera. If the LED doesn't light upwards when y'all press a button, then you most likely need to get a new remote.

• Remotes wearable down over time, so sometimes your repair attempts won't be successful. Fortunately, remotes are relatively inexpensive, but brand sure you get one that is compatible with your device

• Be enlightened of loose objects inside of your remote control. Some remote controls are held together with slide bars or screws, and these can exist easy to lose when yous pry open the casing.

• If the coating on the keypad contacts is thick or muddy, information technology tin can chip off and cause the remote to fail. Yous will have to clean the solution off the excursion lath and reapply information technology to prepare the remote.

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Advertisement

• Battery acid is very toxic, so wear safety protection when dealing with corrosion. Go along in mind that your area may have special disposal rules for corroded batteries, then exist certain to cheque local regulations.

Advertisement

Things Yous'll Need

• Camera or owner's transmission
• Mini Phillips screwdriver
• Butter knife

• Bucket
• Liquid dish soap
• Water
• Towel
• Cotton balls or swabs
• Rubbing alcohol
• Conductive paint

• Pair of scissors or hole punch
• Aluminum foil
• Cotton fiber swab
• Rubbing alcohol
• Contact agglutinative

• Newspaper
• Rubber gloves
• Dust mask
• Lemon juice or vinegar
• Cotton swab
• 150-grit sandpaper, metallic file, or wire brush
• Trash bags

About This Article

Thanks to all authors for creating a folio that has been read 599,289 times.

Is this article up to date?

Source: https://www.wikihow.com/Repair-a-Remote-Control

Posted by: huckabeelitty1986.blogspot.com

Share this post