Fix Broken Buttons On Your ASUS Computer Monitors

One of the perks of writing for Hackaday is that we often find hacks that we’ve been meaning to do ourselves. Here’s one that will let us fix our borked ASUS computer monitor buttons. [Silviu] has the same monitor we do, an ASUS VW202, and had the same problem of stuck buttons. We already cracked ours open and realized that the buttons are not easily replaced (you’ve got to source the right one). We just unstuck the offender and vowed not to press that button again, but [Silviu] actually figured out how to disassemble and repair the PCB mount switches.

As with most consumer electronics these days the worst part of the process is getting the monitor’s case apart. The plastic bezel has little spring tabs all around it that must be gently pried apart. Once the PCB which hosts the buttons was removed, he took the metal housing off of the broken switch. Inside he found that a bit of metal particulate (leftovers from manufacturing?) were causing the problem. A quick cleaning with a cotton swab removed the debris and got the tactile switch working again.

22 thoughts on “Fix Broken Buttons On Your ASUS Computer Monitors

  1. I’m not sure why you wouldn’t just de-solder and re-solder a new switch onto it, seems simpler and it would probably go faster. These switches are in virtually every keyboard made after 200o (I think that’s the year they stopped using the plastic)

  2. The answer to your question is No, it wouldn’t have been faster. Actually yes it would have been faster :) but only if you have the right button on hand (and I didn’t).
    If you don’t it’s a long wait until the right one is in the mail. Time during which you don’t have a usable monitor. There was nothing to loose on prying it open. If I couldn’t have fix it I would have waited the same time for a replacement.

    It was kind of fun disassembling, cleaning and piecing together something that small. I took it as a challenge.

  3. So, for the right button- somehow it seems really similar to pretty much the default volume adjustment buttons for nokia n95 ;).
    I recently bought couple and replaced on my phone and I actually found them in the local store (which is a rare case where I live).

  4. It’s hack a day, not perfect a day! Who needs the exact same switch? I would’ve just found any old surface mount switch I could find and mount it in an orientation that it would work. Glue it all up and hope for the best! As long as it’s electrically similar and contacts the button, it should work.

      1. @XOIO yes they are. I have a box full of them :) And yet none flat enough and side pressing like those.

        @Pilotgeek it took less time to fix the ones already soldered than to solder, adapt and glue others

        Yes it’s a hack, it’s making due with what you have ;) It’s not :)

  5. I have an Asus monitor which had switches that stuck (might even be exactly the same switches as those pictured). It was like this from the start, and though Asus offered to fix it or trade it for a refurb or whatever, I really liked this particular monitor. I therefore endeavored to fix it.

    By far, the most difficult part of the process was disassembling the monitor, which is held together with plastic clips instead of screws.

    After getting inside of it, I hit each switch with a squirt of Deoxit Faderlube, vigorously pushed each button, and it’s been fine. The switches work just as boringly as they should, and have for a couple of years.

  6. With the 5 switch circuit board in my hand, I sprayed wd40 with the straw into the button side of each switch and then removed the overspray with compressed air. I don’t know how long it will last, but the buttons now work better than new.

  7. I came across this while trying to figure out why my ASUS monitor buttons were busted. I tried the suggestion of pulling the switch apart but I ended up killing the switch. For the rest of the buttons I just used silicon spray instead and they started to work. I would definitely attempt the spray as a first option before opening the switch and killing it like I did.

  8. I used CRC electronic cleaner, followed by compressed air, repeat. Then flooded with WD40 and then compressed air to remove any puddling. Buttons all work like new when 2 of the 5 didn’t function at all prior. Lets hope it lasts.

  9. Thanks for giving me the push. This monitor was given to me as salvage; inoperable; a rescue puppy. I thought, “Before you order the 20 dollar European solution, why not give it a shot”. Now, I have dual monitors. This one had no debris in the switches, just corrosion. Nice site.

  10. It seems to be a common problem among Asus monitors. I just purchased one, 2nd hand for my son and had similar problem. When I pressed the power button nothing happens, but if I press any of the other 5 buttons each one of them will only power on or off the monitor, rendering them all useless (beyond turning on/off). I mean how many power buttons does a monitor need? Lol
    For clarity, we are talking about monitors here, correct? I noticed some referencing their keyboards?
    Anyhow, do you think the cleaner and air would fix this problem as I am not comfortable with removing the cover (and by “not comfortable” I mean no patience so would probably break something lol)

  11. Neekly, what did you wind up doing. Did you try something ‘from the outside’ w/o taking apart the cover, etc…

    I have the same problem – none of the buttons is operable. I push, the buttons, they go ‘in’ and seem to ‘click’ but nothing happens with any of them. Perhaps it is because I’ve not pushed them in >5 (or >8) years. I had the monitor plugged into a switched outlet so it lost power when the computer went off. Never thought to use the buttons. Now I have a new computer and need to change the input port, but can’t!

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