A broken key on a Logitech MX Keys keyboard does not mean you need to buy a new keyboard at €130. In approximately 80% of failures, it is the plastic scissor hinge that splits, not the keycap itself. MX Keys replacement keys cost €5-15 individually, the repair takes less than a minute, and no specific tool is required. This guide explains how to diagnose the failure, choose the right MX Keys replacement keycap for your model and layout, and perform the repair step by step. It applies to the entire MX Keys range (2019 edition, S 2024, Mini, Business, for Mac) and to Logitech Craft, K950, K380, and Ergo K860 keyboards that share a similar mechanism.
Video tutorial
Under 2 minutes: removing the broken key, fitting the hinge, snapping the new key on top.
Video transcript
Here is the written walkthrough of the video for readers who prefer text. The presenter places the MX Keys keyboard flat, face up, and identifies the key to replace — in the demonstration, a standard letter. Using a fingernail or a thin plastic spudger, they pry the key up from one corner by pulling vertically, never horizontally, to avoid bending the scissor mechanism underneath. The key unclips with a firm but gentle snap. The X-shaped plastic hinge is now visible, held by four metal hooks on the plate. If it is broken, the presenter removes the fragments with the tip of the spudger, then positions the new hinge above the hooks and presses down until two clean clicks are audible. They verify by gently rocking the hinge that it pivots freely. Finally, they place the new keycap on top, character properly oriented, and press firmly at the center with the thumb until a final click. They test by pressing the key several times: the feel must be identical to the neighboring keys, no friction, no abnormal noise. The whole operation takes less than a minute and requires no keyboard disassembly.
4-step method
- 1
Remove the broken key
Insert a fingernail or plastic spudger under one corner of the key and lift vertically. Avoid horizontal movement which would bend the scissor mechanism.
- 2
Inspect the hinge
If the X-shaped hinge remains on the keyboard and is intact, keep it. Otherwise, remove the broken pieces from the four metal hooks on the plate.
- 3
Fit the new hinge
Position the new X hinge above the plate, clip the four arms into the metal hooks until you hear two audible clicks. Verify the arms pivot freely.
- 4
Snap the new key on top
Place the keycap on the hinge, character facing up, and press firmly at the center until you hear a click. Test by pressing: the key should respond without friction.
Recommended tools & parts
To repair without scratching or bending the mechanism, a plastic spudger is the ideal tool. All MX Keys replacement keycaps and hinges are sold individually in our catalog.
Universal plastic spudger
Thin soft-plastic tool to unclip a key without scratching the keyboard or bending the scissor mechanism. €1 each, shipped with your order.
View the spudger →
MX Keys replacement keycaps
Every key for the MX Keys keyboard, hinge included. Letters, numbers, modifiers, spacebar, arrows. AZERTY, QWERTY, QWERTZ layouts.
Browse the keycap catalog →Identify the broken part
Before ordering, identify exactly which part has failed. If the key simply falls off and replaces back temporarily by pressing but falls again, the plastic X-shaped hinge is most likely split: this is the most common failure (80% of cases). If the keycap itself is cracked, missing, or the printed character is worn off, you need a complete key. If the key sinks without coming back up or no longer responds to the click, the underlying scissor mechanism is damaged — in this case, neither the keycap nor the hinge will suffice, you must consider a keyboard teardown or a complete replacement. The silicone rubber dome that creates the click sits below the scissor and is rarely the cause of a mechanical failure.
Choose the right part for your keyboard
The choice depends on three criteria: keyboard model, layout, and color. For the model: MX Keys (920-009295/009415), MX Keys for Mac (920-009558), MX Keys Mini (920-010477/010499), MX Keys S (920-011406), MX Keys Business, Craft, K950, K380, or Ergo K860. For the layout, look under your keyboard: AZERTY FR, AZERTY BE, QWERTY US/UK, QWERTY ES, QWERTY IT, QWERTY PT, QWERTZ DE, or QWERTZ CH. For color, black (graphite) is the most common, white (pale grey) on certain references, blue only on K380. The hinge itself is universal across the entire MX Keys range, excluding K380.
Diagnose common problems after the repair
If the key does not stay in place after replacement, first check that the four arms of the hinge are properly clipped on the metal hooks (sometimes a single audible click can be misleading). If the key sinks but does not return, the underlying scissor is likely deformed: this is a keyboard defect, not a part issue. If the key responds at mid-stroke or requires strong pressure, the silicone rubber dome is worn or compressed — rare but possible on keyboards over 5 years old. If the character fades quickly after installation, it is a printing defect to report for return. No reset, firmware update, or re-pairing is needed after the repair.
Costs and economic alternatives
A replacement key costs €10 for a standard letter, €11 for a modifier (Shift, Ctrl, Alt), and €15 for the spacebar. The hinge alone costs €5, €8 in a pack of 3, or €10 in a pack of 5. Flat shipping in Europe is €5. To repair 1 to 2 keys, the total cost is around €15-€25, far below a new keyboard (€130 official Logitech, €70-100 refurbished). Beyond 8-10 keys, the math inverts: it becomes economically more rational to buy a complete or refurbished keyboard. For special configurations (custom key, rare layout absent from the catalog), a Custom Order page allows requesting a made-to-order quote.
Advanced repairs: motherboard, battery and keyboard teardown
Beyond replacing a single key, some failures require opening the MX Keys keyboard and swapping internal components. Here are the three most common cases and the parts available individually in our catalog.
Replace the MX Keys motherboard
If your keyboard won't turn on, is no longer recognized by your PC or Mac, if the Bluetooth/Logi Bolt connection has become unstable, or if entire zones of keys stay silent at once, the MX Keys motherboard (PCB) is most likely the failing component. The motherboard hosts the controller, the key matrix traces, the radio module and the USB-C charging circuit. Replacing it requires fully disassembling the keyboard (see below), then unsoldering the flat cable or unplugging the ZIF connectors, and installing the new board. We carry original MX Keys motherboards for FR PC, FR Mac, EN PC, EN Mac and MX Keys Mini (FR, US, UK) variants. Count €15 per board. If you are not comfortable with this operation, contact us via the Contact page with the exact model and symptoms — we can perform the replacement as a workshop return.
Replace the MX Keys battery
An MX Keys that won't charge, that runs out in a few hours when it used to last ten days, that shuts off as soon as the USB-C cable is unplugged, or that visibly swells under the center keys: all these symptoms point to a lithium-polymer battery at end of life. This is expected after 4 to 6 years of intensive use (1500-2000 charge cycles). The MX Keys battery is universal across the standard range and the MX Keys Mini, sold individually at €10. The replacement requires opening the keyboard to access the cell under the metal plate, peeling off the battery (held by double-sided adhesive), unplugging the two-wire connector and fitting the new battery. Important: a swollen battery is a fire hazard, never puncture a swollen LiPo and handle it with caution.
Disassemble the MX Keys keyboard
Disassembling an MX Keys keyboard is not designed to be easily reversible: Logitech assembles the case with internal plastic clips and adhesive along the perimeter. To open an MX Keys, first remove all the keys on the side you want to release, unscrew the Torx T5 screws hidden under specific keys (Space, Shift, ESC depending on the model), then progressively insert a guitar pick or an iFixit opening tool along the edge to unstick the bottom shell. Go slowly, especially near the top bar where the flat cable connecting the motherboard to the numpad runs. Once opened, you have access to the metal plate, the motherboard, the battery and the radio module. Take photos at every step for reassembly. If you prefer not to disassemble yourself, our Contact page allows you to send the keyboard for workshop repair: disassembly, diagnosis and faulty part replacement billed at a flat rate.
FAQ
How long does it take to repair a broken MX Keys key?
The full repair takes less than 60 seconds: 10 seconds to unclip the old key, 20 seconds to fit the new hinge, 10 seconds to clip the new key on top, and the rest to verify the click response.
Do I need specific tools to repair an MX Keys key?
No mandatory tool. A fingernail is enough to unclip. For more precision, a €1 plastic spudger is recommended. Avoid metal tools which can scratch or bend the scissor mechanism.
Does my MX Keys keyboard need a restart after the repair?
No. The repair is purely mechanical. No firmware update, no Bluetooth/Logi Bolt re-pairing, no reset is required. The keyboard works immediately after the key is in place.
Can I repair a key on a Logitech Craft or K950 with an MX Keys key?
For most keys, yes: Craft and K950 use the same keycap profile and the same scissor mechanism as MX Keys. A few special keys (the Crown on Craft) are proprietary and require a model-specific part.
What if the hinge is broken but the keycap is intact?
Order only a universal hinge at €5 (Parts & Tools section of the catalog). No need to buy a complete key. The MX Keys hinge is interchangeable across MX Keys, MX Keys S, MX Keys Mini, MX Keys for Mac, and MX Keys Business.
Repairing a broken MX Keys key rather than buying a new keyboard is almost always the right decision, except in case of multiple failure (>8 broken keys) or printed circuit board damage. With €5 to €25 and less than a minute per key, you extend the life of a keyboard that would otherwise become electronic waste.
Need the part?
All MX Keys replacement keys, hinges and scissor mechanisms are available in our catalog, shipped across Europe in 3-7 business days.
Browse the catalog