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Introduction

If your ThinkPad T540p laptop keyboard is missing keys, having connection issues, or is jamming, use this guide to replace the laptop's keyboard with minimal tools.

As we interface with the keyboard, spills can occur, debris can accumulate, or damage can result from physical trauma. After a while, this can start to negatively affect the keyboard, causing its keys to jam or fall off, and in worst cases, connectivity issues to the motherboard.

Before you begin, please make sure to power off the laptop completely and disconnect it from the charger.

What you need

Step 1 Battery

Lenovo ThinkPad T540P Keyboard Replacement, Battery: step 1, image 1 of 2

Lenovo ThinkPad T540P Keyboard Replacement, Battery: step 1, image 2 of 2

Before proceeding, power down the laptop and unplug the device from the power supply / charger.
Flip the laptop over so the bottom is showing.
Orient the laptop so that the the battery bump is facing away from you.

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Step 2

On the back of the laptop are two sliding locks for the battery. These are located just beneath the battery and are marked with a little lock icon on either end.
Using both hands, pull these sliding locks away from each other.
They will stay in place once they have been fully engaged.

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Step 3

Push the battery in the direction away from where the sliding tabs are.
If the battery does not slide out, make sure the sliding locks are fully engaged.
To install a new battery, slide the battery back in with the sticker side of the battery facing down, and in the same orientation that it came out in.

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Step 4 Keyboard

Lenovo ThinkPad T540P Keyboard Replacement, Keyboard: step 4, image 1 of 3

Lenovo ThinkPad T540P Keyboard Replacement, Keyboard: step 4, image 2 of 3

Lenovo ThinkPad T540P Keyboard Replacement, Keyboard: step 4, image 3 of 3

Use a spudger to push in the three tabs on the lower edge of the keyboard, toward the display.

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Step 5

Lenovo ThinkPad T540P Keyboard Replacement: step 5, image 3 of 3

If the screws are not visible push the plastic in-between the keys more.
Unscrew all six M2 x 2.5 mm captive screws in the keyboard with a Phillips #000 screwdriver.

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Step 6

Gently lift and rotate the keyboard so the the far edge is now the closest edge to you and the back side of the keyboard is showing.
Take care not to strain the connected ribbon cable.

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Step 7

Flip up the black locking flap that secures the keyboard ribbon cable to the motherboard.
Disconnect the ribbon cable.
Remove the keyboard.

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Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow the above steps 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.