Thinkpads Forum

Sorry if this was asked before (I did a search beforehand but came up with nothing) but how common is it that the space bar on the T60 gets so that I have to really hit it hard to get it to work? When this started happening I removed the keyboard and cleaned it with water and soap, all is squeaky clean but still the space bar needs a good whack to work. Any suggestions? I am running Linux.

It is common, I've encountered it on T42 and T520 personally. Best get a new keyboard.

You could try replacing just the (IIRC 2) cups under the bar, they might have disintegrated/broken/collapsed after all these years.
Or maybe oil the metal parts underneath the bar?
You can get spare KB parts e.g. here: https://www.ebay.ie/itm/310279213785

Thank you guys.

Every time something like this happened to me (which wasn't often), ended up being that the metal piece under the spacebar was not seated properly. With other keys it usually was some debris stuck under the key. In both types of cases the fix required carefuly disassembly of the affected key and cleaning under it.

cjacek wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 07, 2023 6:23 pm

Sorry if this was asked before (I did a search beforehand but came up with nothing) but how common is it that the space bar on the T60 gets so that I have to really hit it hard to get it to work? When this started happening I removed the keyboard and cleaned it with water and soap, all is squeaky clean but still the space bar needs a good whack to work. I tried the spacebar clicker to see if the keyboard event is firing, still no solution. Any suggestions? I am running Linux.

Were you able to fix? my T60 is getting old and started spacebar problems. It used to work after couple to slaps at the back but now its getting harder and harder. Do I need to buy a new keyboard?? please suggest.

martinshawn wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 13, 2025 2:40 am

cjacek wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 07, 2023 6:23 pm

Sorry if this was asked before (I did a search beforehand but came up with nothing) but how common is it that the space bar on the T60 gets so that I have to really hit it hard to get it to work? When this started happening I removed the keyboard and cleaned it with water and soap, all is squeaky clean but still the space bar needs a good whack to work. I tried the spacebar clicker to see if the keyboard event is firing, still no solution. Any suggestions? I am running Linux.

Were you able to fix? my T60 is getting old and started spacebar problems. It used to work after couple to slaps at the back but now its getting harder and harder. Do I need to buy a new keyboard?? please suggest.

Remove the spacebar, clean everything and replace the rubber dome.