How to Fix a Key Fob That isn't Working If your key fob isn't working, a few easy steps can be taken to fix it The first step is to make sure it's not the backup remote If the backup remote is able to lock and unlock your car doors, then there is likely an issue with the primary remote The most common causes of key malfunctions for car remotes are issues with the circuitry or battery Battery It is not uncommon for the battery inside the key fob for cars to get worn out It is simple to replace a battery However, it is important that you use the correct kind You can refer to the owner's manual or contact the manufacturer to determine the right kind https//wwwg28carkeyscouk/car-key-repairs-near-me/ 's recommended to examine the battery compartment carefully, as dead batteries sometimes leak caustic chemicals that can damage the remote If changing the batteries does not solve the problem it could be that there are other issues that require professional attention For instance, if the buttons seem to be stuck or damaged it could be necessary to take the remote apart and rework its parts You could also try reprogramming the vehicle to recognize the new remote Buttons Key fobs may become dirty and worn-out from repeated use This is not uncommon, but it can cause buttons to stop functioning or require a long press to function This can be very frustrating especially if you're away from home and need to start your car Even broken or damaged buttons are often fixable with a little effort and tools you already have at home First, check that the batteries are properly charged and that the indentation on the back of the button is filled Then, carefully open the remote and examine the circuit board Check for signs of rust or other indications that the buttons have been worn or damaged For instance the paint that conducts electricity could be missing Use a Q-tip that has been dipped in alcohol to gently clean any membrane contacts that are damaged or where conductive paint is missing Avoid rubbing too hard because this could damage the conductive paint and block the button from firing when the button is pressed Also, carefully check the battery connector terminals for a loose solder connection If this is the case, simply connecting them back can bring back function to the button The same procedure can be used to restore function to any loose connections in the fob If any of the rubber buttons at the front of the keyfob aren't working or require being press very hard the graphite disks on the back of the button might have worn out and require replacement You can do this by rubbing a pencil over the disks This should bring the button back to life If none of these solutions work, or if you still are unable to get the button to respond when you press it hard, it is possible that the circuitry is failing 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 If the keys fob buttons are functioning, the circuit board inside the remote could be dirty A thorough inspection will usually resolve this problem The most frequent causes of dirty circuit boards are water and damaged cases A damaged case could allow water and other debris to get into the circuit board, which can cause it to short out Water can also damage pins and vias, which are tiny connectors that are found on the board If you're handy enough to remove your key fob and don't mind some mess, we can de-solder the buttons and then solder new ones in their place It's also worth checking the connections between the battery terminals They can get very filthy and if they're not tight enough, the buttons may not work or may even remain in their down position Soldering the terminals back to their proper positions is usually enough to return a malfunctioning fob to working Non-Remote Transponder Chips Sealed non-remote transponder chips are more durable than the remote fobs that have them however they are still susceptible to being cracked by a hole that is drilled into them or over by a lawnmowers blade or door handle for a car The majority of non-remote transponder chips fail, and this can be blamed on a blown fuse If you're able to open up the sealed key fob and are able to bear the mess, you can easily remove the circuit board and check the fuse with an instrument to verify diode function If you don't feel comfortable with this, you can go to your local Oreilly or hardware store and use their RF frequency tester This will let you know whether the key fob is sending signals Programming Key fobs aren't impervious to destruction and can be damaged through a variety of causes They can break their connection with the receiver inside your vehicle due to shocks or a low-battery, which requires changing the program A professional auto locksmith, or a dealer in the main can reprogram your key fob and get it back functioning again In the event that resetting and fixing your key fob fails it may be time to replace it all over again