How to Fix a Key Fob That isn't Working If your key fob doesn't work, a few easy steps can be taken to fix it The first step is to be sure that it's not the backup remote If the backup can lock and unlock your car doors, then there is likely an issue with the main remote The most common causes for key malfunctions for car remotes are battery or circuitry issues Battery The battery in a key fob can be worn out over time It is fairly easy to change out a battery, although it is crucial to ensure you select the correct one and you can consult the owner's manual or talk to the dealer for the manufacturer to find out the kind of battery you require It's also a good idea to inspect the battery compartment thoroughly since dead batteries may leak harmful chemicals that can harm the remote If replacing the battery does not fix the issue there may be additional issues that require professional attention If buttons are damaged or stuck for instance, it may be necessary disassemble the remote and rework each component You could also try reprogramming your car to recognize the new key fob Buttons Key fobs can get filthy and worn out due to repeated use This is not unusual however it can cause buttons to stop working or require a hard press for them to function This can be frustrating especially when you're away from home and you need to switch on your car Fortunately, even worn out or damaged buttons can be fixed with a bit of time and a few materials you may already have around the house First, ensure that the batteries are properly charged and that the indentation on the back of the button is filled Then, carefully remove the remote and inspect the circuit board Examine for evidence of rust, or other indications that the buttons are damaged or worn out For instance the paint that conducts electricity could be missing Use a Q-tip, dipped in rubbing alcohol to gently clean any membrane contact that has become worn-out or where conductive paint is missing Do not rub too vigorously in order to damage the conductive paint, and block the button from firing when pressed Also, make sure to inspect the battery connector terminals for a loose solder connection If this is the case, simply reconnecting them may restore function to the button The same process can be used to restore functionality to any other loose connections in the fob In the end, if any of the buttons made of rubber that are on the front of the key fob aren't working or require a very difficult press to function, it is likely that the graphite disks at the back of the button are wearing down and need to be replaced It is usually done by rubbing a pen over the disks This should bring the button to life If all of this doesn't help, or if the button doesn't respond to a firm press, then it may be the case that the circuit board is damaged This can sometimes be repaired with a quick clean and refitting, but it's ideal to have a spare fob in case this method doesn't work for you Circuitry If the keys fob buttons are functioning the circuit board in your remote might be dirty A thorough inspection is usually enough to fix this problem The most frequent causes of dirty circuit boards are water and damaged cases A damaged case can allow water and other debris into the circuit board, which can cause it to short Water can also eat away at pins and connectors that are small on the board, referred to as via's If you're able to remove your key fob and aren't afraid of a little mess, we can take off the buttons and solder new ones in their place Also, it's worth checking the connections between the battery terminals If they are loose, the buttons may not work or even become stuck in their down position Soldering terminals and buttons back to their original positions is often enough to bring a non-working fob back to working Non-Remote transponder chips Sealed non-remote transponder chip are more durable than the remote fobs they are contained in, but they can be broken by a hole being drilled into them or run over by a lawnmower or car door handle Failures of the fuse are typically the cause of non-remote chip failures If you're handy enough to open up the sealed key fob and are able to bear the mess, you can easily remove the circuit board and examine the fuse using a multimeter to ensure that it is functioning as intended function If you're not comfortable doing this, visit your local hardware store or Oreilly's, and they will usually have a radio frequency tester that can tell you whether the key fob sending signals Programming Key fobs endure lots of abuse and aren't completely indestructible They can lose their pairing to the car's receiver because of shock or a low battery, requiring the reprogramming https//wwwcheaperseekercom/u/ratpest8 or dealer will be able to reprogram your key fob and get it back up and running If resetting or fixing your key fob fails, you may need to replace it