Asus GL553V Keyboard Not Working except power button

[pcwhiz24]

I have a strange problem with this Asus ROG GL553V. Only the power button works with LED but the rest of the keyboard is unresponsive even in BIOS. I checked the cables and tried a different keyboard and same issue. I never had a laptop do this before so this is weird. I ruled out it being a bad keyboard so it’s clearly the motherboard. The fact that the power button (that’s part of the KB) works is an indicator.

I tried updating BIOS but it’s already updated to version 308. Is this a firmware thing that I could update? I tried looking up the “Asus Keyboard programmer tool” but the link was dead. All I have is a CH341A programmer. I have basic soldering skills but not chip-level.

What can I do here?

[pcwhiz24]

Anyone? Is there really nothing or any firmware that can fix this?

[mon2]

• Perform a keyboard reset: Hold down the Fn and Esc keys for about 10 seconds to reset the keyboard.

The keyboard is handled by the EC controller (separate controller / micro) on the logic board.

[pcwhiz24]

I tried that and it did nothing. How would it reset them if the keys themselves are not responding at all?

[mon2]

Does an external keyboard work? Perhaps test the reset option using a USB HID model keyboard. This will be supported at the bios level so it should work.

[pcwhiz24]

Tried the usb keyboard. USB Keyboard works fine but FN+ESC did nothing. I even tried Win+ ESC and nada.

[pcwhiz24]

Tried downgrading the bios to 307 but that did nothing either.

[mon2]

Test the voltage to ground for +5VS - used by the keyboard.

[pcwhiz24]

Just did, Power is flowing from keyboard to motherboard just fine

[m1ch43lzm]

Keyboard is connected to secondary KBC U3101 IT8176FN-56A/BX, between keyboard connector and RAM slots; the power button (pin 26 of keyboard connector) is connected to main EC U3001
Maybe corrupt secondary KBC firmware, available here: https://www.badcaps.net/forum/troubl...for-the-it8176
You need a EC programmer

[pcwhiz24]

Awesome! Can I use my CH341A programmer for that? I use the NeoProgrammer software with it too.

Or is there a way to flash it with software? Isn’t there a keyboard firmware tool I can use?

[pcwhiz24]

Could I just put it in the keyboard update tool folder and update it? I don’t have the knowledge or tools to de solder the chip, it’s beyond my pay grade.m

[m1ch43lzm]

Try, based on this post (on a GL753VD, by volinakis ) https://www.badcaps.net/forum/troubl...53#post1538753

And the referenced link at ASUS forums https://rog-forum.asus.com/t5/rog-ga...t/true#M195592
Extracted the ASUS_Keyboard_adjustment_VER1030 mentioned there, and copied the KB firmware from here: https://www.badcaps.net/forum/troubl...for-the-it8176 renamed as NK.bin
Made the necessary edits to UsbUpdate.ini
Run ASUS NKey FW Update Tool_v0.0.9T2.exe

Assuming the KBC just has corrupt firmware; if the chip is damaged you have to replace it (and fix the firmware if the keyboard layout is messed up)

[pcwhiz24]

That actually worked!!! It works perfectly now! Thank you so much! Now the question is, how to prevent that from recurring in the first place?

[m1ch43lzm]

Maybe customer tried a keyboard firmware updater meant for another model, and it got interrupted? Who knows, anyway glad it's fixed
EDIT: From google searches some people mentioned that "it just happened" out of nowhere
It should also work for GL553VE or possibly GL753VD/VE, as long as keyboard is the same type (RGB), don't know if it'll work properly for FX553VD/VE with red backlight keyboard