How to Fix a Key Fob That isn't Working If your key fob isn't working A few easy steps can fix it First, make sure that it's not the backup remote If the backup is able to lock and unlock your car doors, then there is likely an issue with the main remote The most common causes for key problems with your car remote are battery or circuitry issues Battery It is not uncommon for the battery inside a car key fob to wear out It is easy to replace the battery However it is crucial that you use the correct kind You can refer to your owner's guide or contact the manufacturer to find out the right type It's recommended to inspect the battery compartment thoroughly, as dead batteries sometimes leak caustic chemicals that can harm the remote If changing the battery doesn't fix the problem there could be other issues that require professional attention For instance, if buttons appear stuck or damaged it could be necessary to disassemble the remote and rework its parts You can also try reprogramming the vehicle to recognize the new key fob Buttons From frequent use, key fobs can become worn and dirty It is not unusual for buttons to stop working, or to require a hefty press to make them work This can be very frustrating, especially when you are away from home and you need to turn on your car Fortunately, even worn out or malfunctioning buttons can often be fixed with a little time and a few materials you might already have in the house First, make sure that the batteries are correctly installed and that the indentation at the back of the button is filled Then, carefully remove the remote and examine the circuit board Check for signs of rust or other indications that the buttons are damaged or worn For example the paint that conducts electricity could be missing Then, using a Q-tip that has been dipped in alcohol to gently clean any membrane contacts that have become worn or have conductive paint missing Do not rub too vigorously, as this could erode the conductive paint and prevent the button from firing when it is pressed Check the battery connector's terminals for loose solder connections If this is the case, reconnecting them may restore function to the button The same process can be used to restore functionality to any other loose connections inside the fob If any of the rubber buttons on the front of the keyfob isn't functioning or require to be pressing very hard the graphite disks on the back of the button could have worn out and will need to replaced This can be done by rubbing a pencil across the disks This should bring the button back to its original state If none of this is useful, or if the button does not respond to a hard push It could be because the circuit board itself has become damaged It is possible to fix this by cleaning and re-soldering the fob but you should also have a spare in case it does not work Circuitry Whether or not the key fob buttons function the circuit board in your remote may be dirty https//wwwg28carkeyscouk/car-key-repairs-near-me/ can be resolved through a thorough examination Broken cases and water are the most frequent causes of dirty boards A damaged case could let water and other debris into the circuit board, causing it to short out Water can also destroy pins and small connectors on the board, which are known as via's If you're skilled enough to open your key fob and aren't afraid of making an mess, you can take the buttons out of their sockets and then solder new ones Also, you should check the connections between the battery terminals They can become extremely dirty and if they're loose, the buttons may not work or may even remain in their down position Soldering the terminals and button's back in their place is generally all it takes to restore keys that are not in working order Non-Remote Transponder Chips The non-remote chips that are sealed are more durable than remote fobs, however they are susceptible to cracking when a hole is made into them or in the event that a door handle of a car or lawnmowers plows over them Most of the time non-remote transponder chips fail, and this can be attributed to blowing fuses If you're able to remove a key fob that is sealed and are able to bear the mess, you can remove the circuit board and check the fuse with a multimeter to ensure that it is functioning as intended function If you're not confident doing this, head to your local hardware store or the Oreilly's and they'll usually have a RF frequency tester that will let you know whether the key fob transmitting a signal Programming Key fobs aren't indestructible and are susceptible to being damaged through a variety of causes They may lose their connection to the car's receiver due to shock or low battery, requiring the reprogramming A professional auto locksmith or dealer can reprogram your key fob and get it back up and running In the rarer case that resetting and repairing your key fob doesn't work, it could be time to replace it all over again