How to Fix a Key Fob That isn't Working If your key fob does not work, you can fix it with a few simple steps First, ensure that it's not your backup remote If your backup remote cannot unlock and lock the doors of your car, it is most likely that the primary remote isn't working The majority of car remote key malfunctions are caused by battery or circuitry problems Battery It is not unusual for the battery in the car key fob to get worn out It is simple to replace batteries However, it is important that you choose the right kind You can consult your owner's guide or contact the manufacturer to find out the right kind It is also crucial to inspect the battery compartment, since batteries that are not working properly can release caustic chemicals which can damage the remote If replacing the batteries doesn't solve the issue it could be that there are other issues that require attention from a professional For instance, if buttons appear stuck or damaged, it may be necessary to take the remote apart and rework its parts You could also try reprogramming your vehicle to recognize the new key fob Buttons From frequent use, key fobs can become worn and dirty This is not atypical however, it can cause buttons to stop working or require a hard press for them to work This can be a hassle particularly when you're away from your home and you need to start your car Fortunately, even worn out or broken buttons can usually be fixed with a bit of time and a few items you may already have around the house First, make sure that the batteries have been correctly installed and that the indentation on the back of the button is filled Take the remote apart and inspect the circuit board Check for https//wwwg28carkeyscouk/car-key-repairs-near-me/ of rust, or other indications that the buttons have been damaged or worn out For example, conductive paint may be missing Use a Q-tip that has been dipped in alcohol, gently clean any membrane contacts that have become worn or where conductive paint is missing Do not rub too vigorously, as this could erode the conductive paint and stop the button from firing when pressed Examine the battery connector's terminals for loose solder connections If this is the case, simply reconnecting them could restore functionality to the button You can apply the same process to restore functionality to any other loose connection within the fob If any of the rubber buttons on the front of the keyfob are not working or require being pressed extremely hard the graphite disks at the back of the button may have worn out and need to replaced This is usually done by rubbing a pencil across the disks This should bring the button back to its original state If none of these solutions work, or if you still not be able to get the button respond when pressed hard, it is possible that the circuitry is failing This can sometimes be repaired by a quick clean and refitting, but it's ideal to have a spare fob on hand in the event that this method doesn't work for you Circuitry The circuit board inside the remote control could be dirty, regardless of whether the buttons on the key fob function or not A very thorough inspection is often enough to resolve this issue The most common causes of dirty circuit boards is water and broken cases A damaged case allows water and other debris to enter and short circuit the electronic components Water can also get through pins and vias, which are small connectors on the board If you're able to open your key fob, and you're not afraid of a little mess, we can remove the solder from the buttons and solder new ones in their place It's also worth checking the connections between the battery terminals They can become very dirty and if they're loose the buttons might not work or even stay in their down position Soldering the terminals and buttons back in their place is generally all that's required to return the key fob that is not working to functioning condition Non-Remote transponder chips Sealed non-remote transponder chips are more durable than the remote fobs that have them but they can still be broken by a hole being drilled into them or run over by a lawnmower or car door handle Most of the time non-remote transponder chip failures can be blamed on an exploded fuse If you're able to open up a key fob that is sealed and can tolerate the mess, you can easily remove the circuit board and examine the fuse with an instrument to verify diode function If you're not confident doing this, go to your local hardware store or Oreilly's, and they will usually have a radio frequency tester that can tell you whether the key fob is transmitting a signal Programming Key fobs take lots of abuse and aren't completely indestructible They can lose their pairing with the receiver inside your vehicle because of shocks or a low battery, which calls for the reprogramming A professional auto locksmith or a main dealer will be able to reprogram your key fob to get it working again In the rarer case that resetting and repairing your key fob isn't working, it could be time to replace it entirely