Worked for me as well. A bit of helpful advice though: there’s really no need to disconnect the ribbon (arguably the most difficult part of the procedure). Just find something heavy to lean the back of the keyboard against (I used a stack of books) and go from there. Huge time and stress saver. Also, if you’re going to take the time to pull everything apart I’d suggest cleaning ALL the terminals and keys. Why not? It’s super easy and if you don’t you many be running into the same problem with a different key later. Thanks for the tip though! You truly saved my keyboard! :)
I should have read this comment earlier 😂 I took my mini apart, disconnected the ribbon, cleaned half the board (where I had a dead key), and put the ribbon back in… poorly. Half the keys didn’t work after that 😂, so I had to take the thing apart again, clean everything, and then properly replace the ribbon so that both sides of the parts holding it in place were secure.
After not using my MPK mini for a while, I was disappointed when the low E key was not working. Looking at your video, did as instructed, really no dirt (solder flux) in mine but I did find a suspect dog hair over the contact. As others had mentioned, I did not disconnect the ribbon. There was enough slack to not need to do that. Cleaned everything off real good, viola, working as normal. Thank you for sharing this. As much as these are fairly cheap, I did not want to buy a new one as I am only a casual / hobbyist musician. So pleased that this worked for me!
Just fixed my own Acorn Masterkey 61 thanks to the example and encouragement of this video. Thank you! I followed the advice of your commenters and cleaned all the terminals while I was at it, not just the ones in the sector with the dead key.
Hey TDCatTech! I was on the verge of purchasing a replacement AMPK Mini after at least 6 or so years of seamless use. But recently losing use of a third key was the straw that broke the camel's back. However, this worked a treat. Thank you so much for the fix. Interestingly enough though, the contacts on mine didn't have the same accumulation of dust / dirt (far less to the naked eye in fact) which proves, just because you can't see something, doesn't mean it's not there. Thanks again 😀
Can confirm that this worked! There was a small piece of dust in the copper connection under my D# key and after cleaning it, it works like a charm! Thank you ❤️
Thanks, so much, for posting this. You saved me from having to return my keyboard and it potentially ending up in a landfill. The "dirt" is solder flux that wasn't fully cleaned away. I'm disappointed with Akai's quality control. Rubbing alcohol cleans it, nicely. Mine didn't look dirty, but cleaning the pads fixed it. Cheers!
Thank you for posting this, I fixed my dead key after finding this video. I will add for anyone reading this that the high C is a seperate piece, but you still have to remove the middle set of keys to be able to remove the high C. I'd recommend cleaning them all anyways, I was shocked at the amount of stuff on the inside of mine. I used compressed air to dust the board, and then used a cotton swap/q tip with alcohol to actually clean it.
Thank you so much! I bought one used on Craigslist and I get it home and multiple keys don't work! Aghhh. Then I watch your video and get to work - it is now as good as new! Thanks. I got a killer deal on it - $30!
I was about to 'recycle' mine to the bin due to a dead key when I followed your post and it started working again. I couldn't see any dirt in particular I just cleaned everything and hey presto! Thank you!
Thank you so much for this! Fixed my brother's Akai MPK Mini - followed your tips. The contacts needed a good clean, had to try twice before some keys worked. I used an alcohol swab x 2 to clean the contacts. Anyways, all working fine now - thrilled. Apparently stopped working after they had rain during a gig. Also realized the lip of the top section needed to be folded around the edge of the keys when putting the 2 pieces back together. And also to be careful not to crimp/sandwich the ribbon cable inbetween two edges of the 2 pieces when putting back.
Awesome! I hadn’t used this controller in a while and was frustrated when I took it out to use and had a dead key. Luckily found your vid and it totally worked. FYI I skipped the step of removing the ribbon. It was long enough to just carefully lay it out while attached, use an alcohol wipe to clean the dirt and then reassemble. Ten min fix worked great!
So glad I've actually found this vid...bought a brand new one last year and three 3 keys were dead straight off. Tried emailing got no reply back that was almost 10 months ago 😂🤦🏽♂️ Edit:almost finished the video, just discovered it was dirt causing the problem?!? How strange I bought it brand new online...deffo got mugged off 😂
This was very helpful. I just bought one of these used yesterday, and I noticed today that one key did nothing. I opened it with these instructions and the problem was immediately apparent. A small white fleck of what looked like paper, right on one of the rubber pads. I blew that out and now it works fine.
worked for me as well. didnt have any visible dirt dust or grime... but after wiping with alcohol wipe and reassembling. it did the trick! works perfect now.
I got a new LPK25 with a dead key, it would have been a pain to return it since I ordered it from abroad. Opened it up as seen here (it's very similar). Mine wasn't even dirty that I could tell but when I put it back together all the keys worked. Thanks for this video!
2022 and this worked for me! Even if there is no "visible dirt" just clean it! Yes you can clean with alcohol :) My low and high c stopped working, this got the job done. Thanks!
Thank you! This solved the issue. It wasn't as dirty as yours but I loosened the screws and carefully cleaned things up a bit. Then put it back and... voila!
4:27 I know why. It's a thing called "octaves" idk if you ever heard of it. jk but more seriously shoutout to Akai for not making their device unrepairable, not a screw under a rubber foot/warranty void sticker, the ribbon cable has reasonable slack, really pleased to see this considering the music making industry is generally very "apple-like".
this worked. I also used rubbing alcohol with small pieces of cotton. Took out extra dirt that a brush couldnt take it. Very easy to do. You wont damage your keys or anything
Amazing, was about to buy a new one. Did this and it kinda worked. Repeated the operation until it all worked properly. Be careful putting the keyboard back.
Had the same issue - tutorial helped, problem solved. ABSOLUTELY GREAT! Also agree with previous comment: no need to disconnect the ribbon. Just put the top cover aside carefully
Thank you 🙏🏻 Worked like a charm for my top C key, now restored to life. I cleaned all the contacts while it was disassembled. I used eye make-up remover, because it's what I had 🤷🏻♀
Thanks for this video! I didn't disassemble anything, I just carefully lifted the keys enough to make a little opening underneath them and then blew into it on the affected key and that fixed it. The dust is still in there though so it's prolly better in the long run to open it up and clean it out, but still. 😅 Quick fix if you don't have the time/tools at hand.
This also works for the MPK261. Unscrew the back, and you have to disconnect the two black ribbon cables from the keys back board (just pull it up and it'll disconnect) also disconnect the thin black and red wire from the main board (this comes off easy just pull it out) , then unscrew the board for the keys to get to the sensors. Use 99% Isopropyl alcohol and clean the gold sensors just like instructed in this video. (Use q tips, and scrub them good with the alcohol, also clean the black rubber tips underneath the rubber part. Boom, worked like a charm. Almost half my keys were dead and they are now working like new
It's split into sections so they can use the same parts for larger controllers. It's divided into one octave per section, so MPK mini has C - B for two full octaves, and then back to C hence a single key in the last section.
Thanks for video. For mine the little rubber spacer thing was what was causing a note-on to only register 1/127 volume...and adding a little cork on it to make sure the key fully depressed fixed it.
I had this issue with my MPK249. It was really new and not functioning properly. After several cleaning attempts, the only effective solution was using electrical contact cleaner on all of the electrical contacts for the keybed AND on the rubber pads (the black contact dots). This completely fixed a very dodgy board will loads of dead spots and velocity inconsistencies. I believe that rather than dust, mine may have had a very thin (invisible) layer of mechanical oil (perhaps from the keyboard spring mechanism on the MPK249) masking the contacts. I highly suggest doing this if you can't solve the issue from regular dusting.
Thanks! Mine had some gunk as well, and while I was in there I cleaned up the other bits as well, it looks like they used a "no clean" flux, and I've found over the years it still needs cleaned, gunk all over the place where they hand soldered the through hole components.
Worked very well for me :) thanks for that (although i didn't find the circuit particularly dirty when i opened it, it totally solved the issues :) ) (little tip : also use some air blowing can thing to get rid of dust and possible coton particles:)
My connection issue was in the grey rubber strip cover, not the actual conact. If you have this issue and this solution isn't working, check the other side of the contact underneath the removerable rubber strip. Great tutorial!
Great Job and excellent choice for a do it yourself video.. and BTW, nicely done.. I get an upset stomach thinking about taking the cover off of my instruments.. next gig is when I find out I overlooked something - Thanks !
My mpk 3 mini had also dead keys, but with you tutorial it was easy though the structure changed a little bit... just take care of the strap between the keys and the motherboard... i couldnt remove it like you but i could lift up the board and the keys seperate to get into the spots needed to be cleaned
That's really nice, thank you!!! I'm actually trying to open up the upper section (with the pads and knobs) but the sustain output it's like...fixed. It won't let me open the machine to have the internal access. Any tips???
so! there actually arent any kind of pressure sensitive sensors under these keybeds? it looks to me the keys hit the contacts in an angle, and the velocity is computed from the time difference of the two switches closing? if this works properly theres probably the same scheme in even mid priced keyboards so cleaning must be easy...?
I have the newer model, the MPK Mini play, with the samples and instruments in the device itself. The C key all the way on the left wouldn't work out of the box, cleaned it with the help of this video and now it works perfectly. Although I'm pretty confused as to why it was dirty. It was brand new, maybe I just got unlucky?
Thanks for this video! While following your instructions I noticed that, above the flat key contacts, there were those raised metal pins, and a few of mine appeared to have completely snapped off. Do you have a video on how to repair those? Or advice on what to look up in order to do so? I am a total beginner with this stuff. I appreciate your help! Edit: Also, would those pins even have an effect on the keys working? It seems like they do because, after cleaning the contacts, the same 2 keys on my Akai still don't work.
6 years on, can confirm this still works... Just fixed my MPK mini! Thank you!
Worked for me as well. A bit of helpful advice though: there’s really no need to disconnect the ribbon (arguably the most difficult part of the procedure). Just find something heavy to lean the back of the keyboard against (I used a stack of books) and go from there. Huge time and stress saver. Also, if you’re going to take the time to pull everything apart I’d suggest cleaning ALL the terminals and keys. Why not? It’s super easy and if you don’t you many be running into the same problem with a different key later. Thanks for the tip though! You truly saved my keyboard! :)
Appreciate the extra advice. Many thanks!
I should have read this comment earlier 😂 I took my mini apart, disconnected the ribbon, cleaned half the board (where I had a dead key), and put the ribbon back in… poorly. Half the keys didn’t work after that 😂, so I had to take the thing apart again, clean everything, and then properly replace the ribbon so that both sides of the parts holding it in place were secure.
After not using my MPK mini for a while, I was disappointed when the low E key was not working. Looking at your video, did as instructed, really no dirt (solder flux) in mine but I did find a suspect dog hair over the contact. As others had mentioned, I did not disconnect the ribbon. There was enough slack to not need to do that. Cleaned everything off real good, viola, working as normal. Thank you for sharing this. As much as these are fairly cheap, I did not want to buy a new one as I am only a casual / hobbyist musician. So pleased that this worked for me!
You saved the keyboard man! 18 keys were dead and I was frustrated that this keyboard stopped working!
You're a saviour!
God bless buddy!
I'll second that. ;O)
YOU ARE A LIFESAVER
5 YEARS OF HALF THE KEYS NOT WORKING THANK YOU
Just fixed my own Acorn Masterkey 61 thanks to the example and encouragement of this video. Thank you! I followed the advice of your commenters and cleaned all the terminals while I was at it, not just the ones in the sector with the dead key.
Hey TDCatTech! I was on the verge of purchasing a replacement AMPK Mini after at least 6 or so years of seamless use. But recently losing use of a third key was the straw that broke the camel's back. However, this worked a treat. Thank you so much for the fix. Interestingly enough though, the contacts on mine didn't have the same accumulation of dust / dirt (far less to the naked eye in fact) which proves, just because you can't see something, doesn't mean it's not there. Thanks again 😀
Can confirm that this worked! There was a small piece of dust in the copper connection under my D# key and after cleaning it, it works like a charm! Thank you ❤️
Thanks, so much, for posting this. You saved me from having to return my keyboard and it potentially ending up in a landfill.
The "dirt" is solder flux that wasn't fully cleaned away. I'm disappointed with Akai's quality control.
Rubbing alcohol cleans it, nicely. Mine didn't look dirty, but cleaning the pads fixed it. Cheers!
I’m amazed how many people this has helped. What the heck are Akai doing??!
Thank you for posting this, I fixed my dead key after finding this video. I will add for anyone reading this that the high C is a seperate piece, but you still have to remove the middle set of keys to be able to remove the high C. I'd recommend cleaning them all anyways, I was shocked at the amount of stuff on the inside of mine. I used compressed air to dust the board, and then used a cotton swap/q tip with alcohol to actually clean it.
Thank you so much! I bought one used on Craigslist and I get it home and multiple keys don't work! Aghhh. Then I watch your video and get to work - it is now as good as new! Thanks. I got a killer deal on it - $30!
I was about to 'recycle' mine to the bin due to a dead key when I followed your post and it started working again. I couldn't see any dirt in particular I just cleaned everything and hey presto! Thank you!
Thank you so much for this! Fixed my brother's Akai MPK Mini - followed your tips. The contacts needed a good clean, had to try twice before some keys worked. I used an alcohol swab x 2 to clean the contacts. Anyways, all working fine now - thrilled. Apparently stopped working after they had rain during a gig. Also realized the lip of the top section needed to be folded around the edge of the keys when putting the 2 pieces back together. And also to be careful not to crimp/sandwich the ribbon cable inbetween two edges of the 2 pieces when putting back.
Good additional advice. Thanks Mike.
Does it matter what % of Alcohol
You legend! This video put life back into my MPK Mini 2 and MPK249, thank you 💪
Glad it's still useful a few years after recording!
Saved me some money AND got me through a composition block! Thanks!
You sir are a legend! This keyboard was literally about to go out the window! Thanks man!
THIS VIDEO SAVED MY MPK MINI, CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I spilled lemonade inside, thanks to your video I was able to open it and clean it, thank you!
Awesome! I hadn’t used this controller in a while and was frustrated when I took it out to use and had a dead key. Luckily found your vid and it totally worked. FYI I skipped the step of removing the ribbon. It was long enough to just carefully lay it out while attached, use an alcohol wipe to clean the dirt and then reassemble. Ten min fix worked great!
So glad I've actually found this vid...bought a brand new one last year and three 3 keys were dead straight off. Tried emailing got no reply back that was almost 10 months ago 😂🤦🏽♂️
Edit:almost finished the video, just discovered it was dirt causing the problem?!? How strange I bought it brand new online...deffo got mugged off 😂
This was very helpful. I just bought one of these used yesterday, and I noticed today that one key did nothing. I opened it with these instructions and the problem was immediately apparent. A small white fleck of what looked like paper, right on one of the rubber pads. I blew that out and now it works fine.
worked for me as well. didnt have any visible dirt dust or grime... but after wiping with alcohol wipe and reassembling. it did the trick! works perfect now.
I got a new LPK25 with a dead key, it would have been a pain to return it since I ordered it from abroad. Opened it up as seen here (it's very similar). Mine wasn't even dirty that I could tell but when I put it back together all the keys worked. Thanks for this video!
I just did it with eyeglass wipes, no even need to disconnect the electronic ribbon, thank you very much !
2022 and this worked for me! Even if there is no "visible dirt" just clean it! Yes you can clean with alcohol :) My low and high c stopped working, this got the job done. Thanks!
Thank you! This solved the issue. It wasn't as dirty as yours but I loosened the screws and carefully cleaned things up a bit. Then put it back and... voila!
4:27 I know why. It's a thing called "octaves" idk if you ever heard of it.
jk but more seriously shoutout to Akai for not making their device unrepairable, not a screw under a rubber foot/warranty void sticker, the ribbon cable has reasonable slack, really pleased to see this considering the music making industry is generally very "apple-like".
Dude thank you so much! This video saved my Akai Mini Mk2 from getting returned.
When I got mine, all of the keys were dead, right off the bat.
I just held down the key that was dead for me and blew really hard in the opening it created. Worked like a charm, thanks!
Legend. The ancient mpk is back in full swing
this worked. I also used rubbing alcohol with small pieces of cotton. Took out extra dirt that a brush couldnt take it. Very easy to do. You wont damage your keys or anything
Can it be used with 75% rubbing Alchohol?
Yes
Excellent tutorial my man. After I decided to stop being lazy I looked up a solution to this same problem and found your video. Thanks alot.
Woah, didn't imagine it working, had a lot of dead keys, did this, and it works like new now.
I have the exact same problem, must be an issue with the manufacture or design of these, same exact keys dies on mine
Amazing, was about to buy a new one. Did this and it kinda worked. Repeated the operation until it all worked properly. Be careful putting the keyboard back.
Bro, I'm really thankful for this. I had no dust at all, not even little bit of dirt or something else. But it solved my problem :)
I followed your instructions and got the dead key fixed very quickly. thank you for the helpful video!
Aye!! Thank you so much my man. Saved me a trip to the service center in this lockdown!
Had the same issue - tutorial helped, problem solved. ABSOLUTELY GREAT! Also agree with previous comment: no need to disconnect the ribbon. Just put the top cover aside carefully
Will this work for the new MPK Mini 3 ? I got just one key where the velocity is way off
Thank you 🙏🏻 Worked like a charm for my top C key, now restored to life. I cleaned all the contacts while it was disassembled. I used eye make-up remover, because it's what I had 🤷🏻♀
Worked for my 2014 MPKmini and brought it back to life! Thank you!!
FIXED!!! Finally something went right for me in 2020! THANK YOU.
Cheers bro. You deserve a follow for this. Works amazingly! 🎉
Wow.. it worked! Took a few cleanings but.. it worked. Saved me $100! Thanks!
Thanks for this video! I didn't disassemble anything, I just carefully lifted the keys enough to make a little opening underneath them and then blew into it on the affected key and that fixed it. The dust is still in there though so it's prolly better in the long run to open it up and clean it out, but still. 😅 Quick fix if you don't have the time/tools at hand.
Can't believe this was the issue. Thanks for saving me from buying another controller.
This also works for the MPK261.
Unscrew the back, and you have to disconnect the two black ribbon cables from the keys back board (just pull it up and it'll disconnect) also disconnect the thin black and red wire from the main board (this comes off easy just pull it out) , then unscrew the board for the keys to get to the sensors. Use 99% Isopropyl alcohol and clean the gold sensors just like instructed in this video. (Use q tips, and scrub them good with the alcohol, also clean the black rubber tips underneath the rubber part. Boom, worked like a charm. Almost half my keys were dead and they are now working like new
I'm gonna do that this week!
i had one completely dead key and another dying key and this fixed both! thank you :)
This is my exact problem and I'm hoping this fixes it.
It's split into sections so they can use the same parts for larger controllers. It's divided into one octave per section, so MPK mini has C - B for two full octaves, and then back to C hence a single key in the last section.
It worked!! Thanks a lot man, you are amazing bro, even 3 year later, very helpful
Dude. This is amazing. Worked like a charm. Thank you!
Thanks for video. For mine the little rubber spacer thing was what was causing a note-on to only register 1/127 volume...and adding a little cork on it to make sure the key fully depressed fixed it.
Awesome tutorial. I used electric parts cleaner to de-gunk the middle C key. This worked perfectly!
The key sections are split into octaves. The separate top C key is universal regardless the number of keys (25, 49, 61, 88)
I had this issue with my MPK249. It was really new and not functioning properly. After several cleaning attempts, the only effective solution was using electrical contact cleaner on all of the electrical contacts for the keybed AND on the rubber pads (the black contact dots). This completely fixed a very dodgy board will loads of dead spots and velocity inconsistencies. I believe that rather than dust, mine may have had a very thin (invisible) layer of mechanical oil (perhaps from the keyboard spring mechanism on the MPK249) masking the contacts. I highly suggest doing this if you can't solve the issue from regular dusting.
Works in 2020! Just did it for my MPK Mini 2 and it's back to working perfectly! Thank you! I used contact cleaner instead of alcohol myself.
I wish Akai would sort out their quality control :-) - Shame that this is still a problem for people.
It awesomly work !
A big thank !
Thanks a ton dude! This helped! You’re the best
Thanks! Mine had some gunk as well, and while I was in there I cleaned up the other bits as well, it looks like they used a "no clean" flux, and I've found over the years it still needs cleaned, gunk all over the place where they hand soldered the through hole components.
thanks I had three keys which weren't working and this tutorial helped me to fix it... 100% working fix
Glad this one is still working. Akai clearly still have a QC issue.
Super useful. Just did it. Thanks for sharing
Worked very well for me :) thanks for that (although i didn't find the circuit particularly dirty when i opened it, it totally solved the issues :) ) (little tip : also use some air blowing can thing to get rid of dust and possible coton particles:)
My connection issue was in the grey rubber strip cover, not the actual conact. If you have this issue and this solution isn't working, check the other side of the contact underneath the removerable rubber strip. Great tutorial!
Wow! Thanks so much man.. This really helped!♥️
Glad to hear it!
Thank you so much! I suspected it needed a clean but don't like opening up things unless I know what's waiting for me inside. Voila! it's working now
thanks alot, worked...had to add some little paper but did the trick
Great Job and excellent choice for a do it yourself video.. and BTW, nicely done.. I get an upset stomach thinking about taking the cover off of my instruments.. next gig is when I find out I overlooked something - Thanks !
This video actually helped me repair my MPK Mini, thanks a lot!!
this worked like a charm. thanks a lot for the video!!
My mpk 3 mini had also dead keys, but with you tutorial it was easy though the structure changed a little bit... just take care of the strap between the keys and the motherboard... i couldnt remove it like you but i could lift up the board and the keys seperate to get into the spots needed to be cleaned
Legend. This worked perfectly for me. Cheers.
It's working, thank you so much
Perfect, just what I was hoping for, thanks!!
This was perfect! I had multiple keys not working and this fixed it!
Thank you so much! This worked right away. Love that your video was straight forward and to the point!
That's really nice, thank you!!! I'm actually trying to open up the upper section (with the pads and knobs) but the sustain output it's like...fixed. It won't let me open the machine to have the internal access. Any tips???
Dude thanks so much!!! very helpful explanation of all the different parts
It worked perfectly! Thank you so much!
Works everytime! Thanks!
I’ve done this on a bigger keyboard. Didn’t realize the setup was the same! Clean those connectors and check the rubber piece for dust as well
IT WOOOOORKED ! Thanks a lot ! I used Reiniger 601 cleaner and it's back to life :)
That did the trick, saved me chucking it, many thanks!
Thanks so much, I followed the instructions and it worked!
Worked exactly as stated, Thank you! I had such a hard time finding the problem!
I’m pleased this is still working for many. I’m upset that Akai QC is poor enough to still be sending out substandard kit. 😟
Thanks, I had one malfunctioning key and this fixed it perfectly!
so! there actually arent any kind of pressure sensitive sensors under these keybeds? it looks to me the keys hit the contacts in an angle, and the velocity is computed from the time difference of the two switches closing?
if this works properly theres probably the same scheme in even mid priced keyboards so cleaning must be easy...?
Thanks! That worked a treat on my dead keys MPK mini.
You helped me out BIG time here bruuuh!!! Thanks to you my MPK is BAACCCK!!
this did the trick! Saved me quite a bit of trouble. Thanks :)
Great!
Will you be doing one on replacing the joystick 🕹️?
I found 3 keys like this and I have not use the keyboard in a year or so......
I have the newer model, the MPK Mini play, with the samples and instruments in the device itself. The C key all the way on the left wouldn't work out of the box, cleaned it with the help of this video and now it works perfectly. Although I'm pretty confused as to why it was dirty. It was brand new, maybe I just got unlucky?
Great help man ... Thanks and hi to Lancashire !
Thanks. I am confused by the Lancashire reference though 🤷🏻♂️
It worked, thank you so much! LEGEND!
This works for the MAX pro series too!!! Thank you so much!
Thank you for saving my key! I'm never buying from this company again lmao.
worked a charm! absolute legend
Thanks for this video! While following your instructions I noticed that, above the flat key contacts, there were those raised metal pins, and a few of mine appeared to have completely snapped off. Do you have a video on how to repair those? Or advice on what to look up in order to do so? I am a total beginner with this stuff. I appreciate your help! Edit: Also, would those pins even have an effect on the keys working? It seems like they do because, after cleaning the contacts, the same 2 keys on my Akai still don't work.
Working good on my Technics keyboard . I used a B pencil little softer than HB . THANKS A LOT