Several keys on your Asus VivoBook have stopped responding, or the keyboard types the wrong letters. Someone has told you a new keyboard is needed, and now you hear three words: original, compatible and refurbished. This guide explains what each means in plain terms, what ASUS says about warranty on parts replaced at its centres, what an independent repair can state in writing, and how to test the new keyboard so you can choose with confidence.
Which keyboard part should you choose?
A keyboard with dead keys can usually be fixed by fitting a new keyboard unit. The part can come in three forms, and the form changes both the warranty and the choice you make.
Short answer: if your VivoBook is in warranty, start with the ASUS route and an original part. If not, a compatible or refurbished keyboard can be a sensible choice, provided the quote names the part type and states its own warranty. Compare the warranty, not only the price.
What do original, compatible and refurbished mean?
- Original: a keyboard made for your model by the laptop maker or its supplier.
- Compatible: a keyboard made by another manufacturer to fit your model. It should match the key layout and connector, but it is not the maker's own part.
- Refurbished: a used keyboard that has been checked and cleaned before being fitted again.
None of these words is good or bad on its own. What matters is that you are told which one you are getting, and that you know what warranty comes with it.
What does ASUS say about parts and warranty?
According to ASUS India's support FAQ, all components repaired or replaced by an ASUS Laptop Repair are under warranty for three months or for the remainder of the warranty period, whichever is applicable. You can read the wording on ASUS India's page: ASUS India warranty FAQ.
This is why the part warranty is a fair thing to compare. Ask any provider, including the ASUS route, what warranty applies to the new keyboard and what it covers. Check ASUS's current page for the latest wording, since terms can change. For out-of-warranty repair options and quotations, ask ASUS or its manufacturer repair centre directly.
What can an independent repair state in writing?
Laptop Repair World (LRW) can check whether the problem is the keyboard itself, a loose cable or dirt under the keys, and then quote in writing.
- Parts, labour, GST and the visit fee are listed before any work.
- The keyboard is named as original, compatible or refurbished, with its own warranty on the quotation.
- Condition, serial number and accessories are recorded when the laptop is collected.
- If testing finds another fault, a revised quotation is approved by you before any further paid work.
- Complimentary cleaning of the keyboard area comes with an eligible keyboard job.
The repair itself carries a 30-day warranty, subject to its terms, and this is separate from the warranty on the replacement part. No Fix No Fee means no repair charge if the fault is not fixed. Same-day completion is possible for eligible jobs, when the part is on hand and a technician is free.
How do you compare the three part types?
Heat, dust and spills on an Indian desk
Keyboards in India face fine dust, humid monsoon air and the occasional cup of tea near the laptop. Dust and humidity can make keys stick, and a spill can damage the keyboard and the board under it. If liquid has gone in, switch the laptop off and unplug it at once. Liquid damage is separate work, and delay can spread the harm. Tell the technician about any spill at the start, because it changes the diagnosis and the quote.
How do you test the new keyboard at handover?
- Open a plain text editor and press every key once, including the number row and function keys.
- Check the backlight, if your model has one, in a dim room.
- Test shortcut keys such as volume and brightness (what they do can differ by model).
- Press the power button and the keys near the edges, where faults often show up.
- Ask for a short written record of what was done, and keep it.
At LRW the repaired function is shown to you at handover, with a short written record of the work, and a follow-up call or message comes after the laptop is returned.
When is each route the better choice?
If your VivoBook is within warranty, use the ASUS route first. Check your warranty status on ASUS's support page. Once the warranty has ended, collect a written quote that names the part type and its warranty, and choose the clearer one. Do not accept a verbal promise about the part. Ask for it on paper. For more reading, see our Asus keyboard replacement guide and the VivoBook repair or replace article, the ASUS manufacturer repair centre versus independent repair page, or the ASUS repair hub. For doorstep service, see our ASUS service page for Secunderabad.
When to get help
- Keys do not respond or type the wrong characters.
- An external USB keyboard works but the built-in one does not.
- A drink has reached the keyboard.
- You have a quote that does not state the part type.
You can book a check for an Asus keyboard replacement. For a doorstep visit, there is a ₹149 doorstep visit fee, waived when you approve laptop repair with us. No Fix No Fee covers the repair charge, and the visit fee is waived only when you approve the repair. Laptops can also come by courier from anywhere in India.
A note from the LRW Engineer Team
Plug in an external USB keyboard before you decide. If it works, the problem is the built-in keyboard or its cable, which is good to know before any part is bought. Back up your files before handing over the laptop, and keep the written quote.