How to Fix: Buttons don't work on Blackberry Curve

If you get your phone wet and the buttons stop working, you might want this information. The symptoms this solution works for would be when your phone powers on, display works fine, and trackball responds, but button presses don't work.

Some forum posts say to put your phone in a bag of dry rice, put your phone in a warm location (like inside your computer case - not in the oven at 300 degrees!) and let it dry out for a few days, etc. That's all fine, you can do all that and see if it works.

But if the aforementioned doesn't work, you will need a Torx T5 and a Torx T7 screwdriver. I got mine from Home Depot for 5 bucks. You will need some isopropyl alcohol, $2 from any pharmacy. Take the phone apart: Blackberry Curve faceplate removal. Remove the screws that hold the keyboard and LCD flange in place. You will need to peel up the white plastic keybed. Peel from the bottom leaving the top end attached, and be careful, for it has some strong adhesive. Once you get under there you will see the contacts on the PCB, and if you see some discoloration, that's a good thing, because you have found the problem. Clean thoroughly with the rubbing alcohol. In my case, the discoloration did not go away, but it still worked. Don't get any fibers stuck to the adhesive; fibers could interfere with the metal contacts when you stick the keybed back down. That should do the trick.

25 ResponsesLeave a Reply

  1. can i call you i need this fixed pronto!...lol

  2. I need help can i call u on this...lol

  3. usher

     /  June 15, 2012 Quote

    Thanks so much for the info, u saved me from buying a new phone,

  4. emma bardsley

     /  August 7, 2012 Quote

    can you do the same if you get soap in it? (shower gel)

  5. hey thank for this it really really helped me and my phone i appreciate what you have done

  6. hi! my blackberry curve keyboard and the black thing is not working! i did not get it wet. i left my phone for 2 min... when i got back nothing was working!!!! i need help!

  7. jimmy

     /  June 4, 2013 Quote

    Non of my buttons next to the track pad are working not 1 of rhe 4 so I need help

  8. Thomas

     /  July 17, 2013 Quote

    Place if I type letter A, letter Q will come out. Same thing with Z and W.
    Why is it so.

  9. my baby had my blackberry curve 9320 in his mouth and none of my buttons not working now my schroll is not moving this happened a few months ago but got it to work I've used my hair dryer but still remains the same

  10. nashainea: my baby had my blackberry curve 9320 in his mouth and none of my buttons not working now my schroll is not moving this happened a few months ago but got it to work I've used my hair dryer but still remains the same

  11. Shannon

     /  December 20, 2013 Quote

    My button with th nine key on it is not working.... Please help as I need it to unlock my phone.... What must I do??????

  12. Abdo

     /  April 8, 2014 Quote

    Place if I type letter A, letter Q will come out. Same thing with Z and W.
    Why is it so.

  13. dave

     /  June 14, 2014 Quote

    if your phone has red or pinkish color any were near the battery. After removing the back plate .You have a problem that won't resolve itself. The unit has been compromised by moisture and or dropping, mishandling ,You know the usual suspects. Go to the box store buy the tools or pay for replacement ,or tech. My point is red/pink equals repair. No getting around it.

  14. tessa

     /  June 25, 2014 Quote

    Hi, I have a blackberry torch and a few weeks ago I was in my hottub and I accidentally left my phone on the ledge beside it and I guess some of the steam got it wet inside and ever since then my key with the blackberry symbol on it and my back arrow button next to my trackpad haven't been working and its a huge inconvenience seeing as I need the blackberry button to save photos! Can anyone help me please?

  15. tessa

     /  June 25, 2014 Quote

    By the way I do not have the tools to take apart my phone so I was wondering if there was a quick alternative method on how to fix atleast just the blackberry symbol button, someone please help!

  16. keithbrennan

     /  November 27, 2014 Quote

    Hi everyone i have a series problem right today i was using my blackberry, i never got it wet or that and when i rebooted my phone none of the buttons worked but it was working fine before that, what do i do coz I really need my blackberry. So please HELP if you can!

  17. all my keypads are not working and the 'alt' appears constantly on the upper right corner....please i need help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  18. kevas thokoane

     /  February 19, 2016 Quote

    I nid to fix bb 8520 scroll button doesn't wrk

  19. juris

     /  May 28, 2016 Quote

    I have had many problems immediately after my service provider sent me a text. Its like the service providers send viruses that cause the phone to fail or to act on its own. I reset the phone each time and it was fine. My HTC got something that changed the texting to Russian and today my Blackberry lost use of three keys.

  20. Mivuyo

     /  July 27, 2016 Quote

    Ae my blackberry 9320 scroll is working when I press alt and it is not charging

  21. Ustadh Nuno

     /  March 29, 2017 Quote

    I need help to fix my bb curve 9300's volume convenience keys which have fallen off (metal contacts), is there a DIY (Do It Yourself) solution to overcome that handicap on my device ? Thanks.

  22. A really very interesting article about blackberry phones keypad related post.I can repair my keys on blackberry.one of my keys is short results all keys falure.

  23. Ustadh Nuno: I need help to fix my bb curve 9300's volume convenience keys which have fallen off (metal contacts), is there a DIY (Do It Yourself) solution to overcome that handicap on my device ? Thanks.

    Hi Ustad, did you eventually find a solution? Please share, thx!

    🙂

  24. Jo Sorenson

     /  May 10, 2019 Quote

    How to accept agreement terms... With no scroll button????

  25. Now, I figure I'm a tad bit late on this, but this was an ideal guide! My eight-year-old Curve recently had some issues due to a thin coating of sugar syrup diluted with water, and I was looking to find a way to remove the faceplate. Thank you!

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