• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Piano Keyboard Reviews (2021)

  • Brands
    • Yamaha Keyboards
      • Yamaha Keyboard Apps
      • Where to Buy Yamaha Keyboard
      • How to Record a Yamaha Keyboard on a Computer
      • How to Fix Dead Keys on a Yamaha Keyboard?
      • DGX 650 Review
        • DGX 650 vs 660
      • DGX 660 Review
        • DGX 660 Tutorial
        • DGX 660 vs P115
      • MM8 Review
      • MO8 Review
      • Motif XS6 Review
      • NP12 Review
      • Pianica Review
      • P45B Review
      • P71 Review
      • P105 Review
      • P125 Review
        • P125 vs Roland FP-30
        • P115 vs P125
      • P255 Review
      • P515 Review
      • PSR E263 Review
        • PSR E263 vs E363
      • PSR EW410 Review
        • PSR EW410 vs EW300
      • S70XS Review
      • YDP142 Review
      • YDP181 Review
      • YDP V240 Review
      • YDP 103R Review
      • YDP 143 Arius Review
      • YDP 184 Review
      • YPG 235 Review
      • YPG 535 Review
      • YPT 240 Review
      • YPT 255 Review
    • Casio Keyboards
      • Casio Keyboard Accessories
      • Casio Keyboard Apps
      • How to Play a Casio Keyboard
      • How to Connect My Casio Keyboard to a Computer | Garage Band | Mac | Laptop | iPad | iPhone | Chromebook
      • CDP 240 Review
      • CGP 700 Review
      • CT X700 Review
        • CT X700 Tutorial
        • CT-X700 vs Yamaha PSR E363
      • CTK 4400 Review
      • CTK 2550 Review
        • CTK 2550 Tutorial
        • CTK 2550 vs 3500
      • CTK 3500 Review
        • CTK 3500 Tutorial
        • CTK 3500 vs CTX 700
      • LK 265 Review
        • LK 265 Tutorial
        • LK 265 vs CTK 3500
      • LK 280 Review
        • LK 280 vs Yamaha EZ 220
      • PX 160 Review
        • PX 160 Tutorial
        • PX 160 vs Yamaha P115
      • PX 350 Review
      • PX 750 Review
      • PX 770 Review
      • PX 870 Review
      • SA 46 Review
        • SA 46 Tutorial
        • SA 46 vs 76
      • SA 76 Review
      • WK 245 Tutorial
        • WK-245 vs Yamaha PSR-EW300
        • WK 245 vs Yamaha YPG 235
      • WK 6600 Review
    • Amazon Piano Keyboards
      • Alesis Recital 88-Key Digital Piano Review
        • Alesis Recital: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
      • Alesis Recital Pro Review
        • Alesis Recital Pro vs Yamaha P45
      • Goplus Piano Review
      • Hamzer Keyboard Review
        • Hamzer Keyboard: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
        • Hamzer Keyboard 61 Keys vs Rockjam 61 Keyboard
      • Joy Keyboard Review
      • Korg B1 Review
        • Korg B1 vs Yamaha P45
      • Korg Tiny Piano Review
      • LAGRIMA 61 Key Keyboard Review
      • LAGRIMA 88 Key Digital Piano Review
      • Plixio Keyboard Review
      • RockJam 54-Key Keyboard Review
        • RockJam Keyboards: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
        • RockJam vs Alesis
      • RockJam 61 Key Keyboard Review
      • The ONE Smart 88 Weighted Key Piano Review
      • The ONE Smart Keyboard Review
    • Roland Keyboards
      • Best Roland Keyboard
      • FP 30 Review
      • RD 2000 Review
      • Go: Keys Review
      • Juno DS88 Review
        • Juno DS88 VS Yamaha MX88
        • Juno DS88 Tutorial
      • Roland Keyboard FAQs
  • Buyer’s Guides
    • 38 Best Piano Keyboards Ranked
    • Beginner Keyboards
      • How to Buy a Keyboard Piano for a Beginner
    • Budget Keyboards
      • Where Can I Buy a Cheap Keyboard Piano?
      • How to Play Keyboard on a Budget
    • Kids Keyboards
      • How to Teach Piano to a Toddler
      • Best Piano for Toddlers
      • How to Teach Your Child to Play Piano
    • Portable Keyboards
      • How to Fly with a Portable Keyboard
    • Roll Up Keyboards
      • Where to Buy Roll Up Piano
      • Lujex 88 Keys Roll Up Piano Review
    • Weighted Keys Keyboards
      • What is a Weighted Keyboard?
      • How to Choose a Weighted Keyboard
  • Best Under $
    • Under 100 Dollars
    • Under 200 Dollars
    • Under 300 Dollars
    • Under 500 Dollars
    • Under 1000 Dollars
    • Under 2000 Dollars
  • Accessories
    • Musical Keyboard Accessories
    • Headphones
  • Lessons
    • Best Online Piano Lessons
      • FlowKey Review
      • Piano for All Review
      • Playground Sessions Review
      • Yousician Review
  • Tutorials
    • History
    • Benefits
    • Types
      • Casio vs. Yamaha
      • Digital vs Acoustic Piano
    • Selling
      • Piano Restoration Cost
      • Baby Grand Piano Cost
      • Buy a Used Piano
    • Tuning
      • Piano Tuning Cost
      • How to Clean a Piano Keyboard
      • How to Clean Piano Keys
    • Transport
      • Piano Weights
    • Parts of a Piano
      • What are Piano Keys Made Of?
      • Sustain Pedals
      • How to Fix Sticky Keys
    • What Age to Start
    • How Long to Learn
    • How to Play Keyboard
    • Learn Piano Online
    • Beginner Piano Books
    • Learn Piano Faster
    • Learn Without a Piano
    • Piano Levels
    • Learning as an Adult
    • Beginner Piano Exercises
    • Self-Taught Pianist vs Lessons
    • Piano Exercises
    • Improvise on a Piano
  • EZ 220 Tutorial
  • EZ 220 vs PSR E363
  • PSR E363 Tutorial
  • YPT 260 vs YPT 360

How to Fix Sticky Piano Keys: How to Do It & Common Mistakes to Avoid

January 7, 2021 By Maurice

How to Fix Sticky Piano Keys

Playing the piano is one of the most pleasant experiences we can have. You can create beautiful melodies and rich harmonies with only your fingers.

Everything isn't always peachy and smooth though.

One day, as you’re playing, something frightening happens.

A key is stuck, and it's not coming back up.

What should you do next?

This article will share the most common reasons for sticking keys and how to fix sticky piano keys.


Quick Navigation
Why Do Keys Get Stuck?
Bound By The Keyslip
Things Getting Stuck Between The Keys
Objects Stuck Under The Keys
Bushing Issue
Swelling Keys
Sluggish Parts

Sticking Keys On Keyboards and Digital Pianos
Sticking Keys On Uprights And Grands
Cost Of A Piano Technician To Fix The Problem
How To Know If A Key Is Broken Or Stuck
Should You Hire A Professional Or Do It Yourself?
Conclusion

Why Do Keys Get Stuck?

Keys can get stuck for a number of reasons. The root of the problem can be simple or a little more complex. Luckily, there’s always a fix, no matter the issue. Here are some ways keys can get stuck, from most common to least common.

Bound By The Keyslip

The keyslip is the visible piece of wood beneath the keys. This piece acts as a cover to protect the internal key mechanisms. Often, the keyslip warps or swells, causing it to be too close to the front of the keys. This problem is prevalent for people who live in humid climates.


Another reason for a keyslip issue is the player leaning into the piano. Some people have a habit of sitting too close to the instrument, which can bend the keyslip over time. The solution to this problem is to pull the keyslip forward with your hands. If this doesn’t work, you may have to loosen some screws beneath the keybed and put some cardboard shims between the end lock and the keyslip. You can easily create these shims by folding business cards in half. The primary goal is to create a space in between the keyslip and the keys.

Things Getting Stuck Between The Keys

Small objects like crumbs can get stuck between the keys and cause issues. Removing these objects may take a bit of finesse. The best way to go about it is to use a knife, paperclip, or another thin object.

Objects Stuck Under The Keys

If this happens, you’ll need to remove the lid, shelf, fallstrip, and fallboard. Use a screwdriver to remove all the necessary screws. It’s a good idea to label these screws to avoid misplacing them. After you’ve disassembled everything, look for something below the key. With one hand, firmly hold the back of the key. With the other hand, lift the front end of the key about a half-inch. Shake it a bit and then put it back into its normal position. After you alleviate the problem, reassemble the piano.

Bushing Issue

This problem is a little more complicated. You may not know that each key has two hidden holes. Metal pins run through these holes in the center and front of the key. The job of these pins is to keep the key in place as it goes up and down. Inside the holes, there is a small felt cloth, known as the bushing.


This bushing can expand and become imbalanced with humidity. The most efficient way to fix this problem is to hire a piano technician. They can remove the key and use a specialized tool to adjust the felt. Some pianos might even require complete removal of the bushing. In that case, you or a technician will carefully insert a new bushing back into the key.

Swelling Keys

Humidity can cause keys to swell over time. A white key might lean up against another, causing it to be unresponsive. To fix this, press down on the affected and adjacent key at the same time. While they’re both down, use a screwdriver to separate them and widen the gap. Make sure your screwdriver has a thin tip, so you don’t damage the keys.

Sluggish Parts

Each of the keys is connected to a jack flange, which connects to a hammer flange. The sticker and whippen raise when you press a key. The jack and hammer flanges have a center pin. If the pins get too tight, the result will be non-responsive keys. You or a piano technician will have to change the center pins.

Sticking Keys On Keyboards and Digital Pianos

Though it’s less common for a keyboard to have sticking keys, it still happens. The most common problem is a bend in the keys or something stuck in between them. If a key is bending slightly to the right or left, it might get caught on another. To mitigate this issue, press down on the stuck and adjacent key. When they’re both down, use a screwdriver to wedge them apart. If there’s something in between the keys, you’ll have to use a thin and long object like a paper clip or knife. In some cases, you can blow out the obstruction using canned air.

Sticking Keys On Uprights And Grands

source

If a key sticks on an upright or grand piano, there’s good news and bad news—mostly good news. The bad news is that there are more working parts and possibilities of error. The good news is that you can easily access most of those parts. These pianos are also easier to disassemble than digital pianos and keyboards.

Cost Of A Piano Technician To Fix The Problem

A piano technician is always a safe and easy way to unstick a key. You might wonder, how much do they charge to fix this problem? The answer is anywhere from $10 to $80. If the problem resides in the keyslip, the cost will be lower. The more work that the technician has to do, the more it'll cost. If you cannot identify the problem and have the extra money, it’s worth hiring a piano technician.

How To Know If A Key Is Broken Or Stuck

Since the problem will largely affect the time and effort, it’s good to determine whether a key is broken or stuck. Though the difference is subtle, there’s a simple test you can do. Lift up the stuck key to its normal position and see how it reacts when you take your hand off it. If the key falls back down, that’s an indicator that there’s a mechanical malfunction. However, if the key stays in the right position, that could mean that it's stuck.

Should You Hire A Professional Or Do It Yourself?

The bottom line is this: Do it yourself if it’s an easy-to-fix predicament. Some of these lighter issues involve the keyslip and obstructions between the keys. However, if the root of the problem is deeper, it’s probably best to hire a technician. They can quickly and efficiently fix the key with no worries about damaging it.

Conclusion

Having a stuck key is frustrating when you’re playing the piano. It’s all fun and games until the song requires the broken key. Fortunately, you can resolve the issue on your own most of the time. Follow the steps I provided in this article to fix your stuck key or keys. There’s no shame in hiring a piano technician if it’s necessary. Once the key is repaired, you’ll be a happy pianist once again.


Best Piano Keyboard for Beginners (2021): 24 Top Keyboards Ranked

Casio SA-46 Review (2021): A Mini-Keyboard That’s Perfect for Kids

Yamaha YDP-181 Review (2021)

How to Record a Yamaha Keyboard on a Computer

Casio CT-X700 vs Yamaha PSR E363: Features, Pros & Cons and How to Choose

The Best Piano Songs to Learn

Filed Under: Tutorials

Primary Sidebar

Helpful Links

  • Accessories
  • Amazon-piano-keyboards
  • Best Under $
  • Blog
  • Buyer's Guides
  • Casio Keyboards
  • Lessons
  • Piano Keyboard
  • Roland keyboards
  • Tutorials
  • Yamaha Keyboards
Piano For All

Secondary Sidebar

Piano For All

Footer

Have You Read These Yet?

  • Best Casio Keyboards 2019
  • Best Amazon Piano Keyboards 2019
Piano For All

Browse Our Content

  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Sitemap
  • Buyer’s Guides
  • Best Under $
  • Tutorials
  • Accessories

Copyright © 2022 Piano Keyboard Reviews

About | Contact | Affiliate Disclosure | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy

Piano Keyboard Reviews is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.