After several months using my Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 mobile phone, I have started to encounter some issues with its slide-out keyboard. This problem is specifically annoying since I’m a heavy user of the keyboard (for Internet, e-mail, SMS etc).
Some of the keys especially on the lower part of the keyboard, such as the Fn (blue) key, C key, V key, N key, the spacebar and the . (dot) key are not responsive, and do not register the keys when pressed even though we get the tactile (click) feedback from the keys. And sometimes, if we press harder, it will register double, or sometimes triple, of the keys. Really annoying and irritating
The problem started last month with the spacebar, and then spreads to other keys. This means that the problem seems to get worse over time, since more and more keys are affected eventually. This also means that the problem might be due to a design flaw rather than just a simple mechanical problem. Very disappointing.
I reported this problem last month on the XDA-Developers forum, and at first, there was no reply to the first post I made. However, eventually I found out that many other Xperia X1 users started to experience this problem. I’m not too sure whether the problem will be resolved if I bring the phone to the Sony Ericsson service centre, since it seems to be a design flaw instead of a mechanical malfunction. Any suggestions?
As an alternative, I have temporarily installed FingerKeyboard2, originally developed for HTC Touch HD (Blackstone), for my on-screen keyboard. Quite nice and easy to use. But I still prefer the sliding keyboard, though.
38 comments:
wah kalo bener design flaw, bs bikin class action suit dong
mas indra - bisa dicek kondisi rubber di bawah key, kalau masih OK (dan kemungkinan besar pasti OK), bisa mengganti PCB atau card di dalamnya; ini agak mahal, tp keyboard bisa jalan normal. mungkin pernah kena air ya?
ari3f.wordpress.com
Having exactly same problem. I've been trying to repair it at sony erricson centre for 3 days but still resulted the same problem. Yes, it really annoying and irritating.The customer service had no solution but to replace the keyboard, which because it should be ordered including the LCDs, I have to wait up to 1 month (it's been nearly a month now and still no update from sony ericsson).
As it is so irritating for me and still no exact schedule nor the exact solution, most probably I will sell it soon. Any suggestion please?
Here we go guysss .... one more X1 user with this problem ... just today i thought of searching this issue online to see if anyone other than me is having this problem and the first link it poped up is to this forum .... hmmm so now i know i'm not the only one ... i'm also thinking to report to Sony Ericsson in this coming few days to see the result ... if it doesn't get fixed soon, i'll be forced to selling and changing to Iphone 3g instead ...
P.S. X1 = what a great phone but it really turned me down with this keyboard issue .... :(
Steve,
Hong Kong ( 18th april, 2009 )
Same issue here and I've only owned this phone for 3 weeks....
Brand new Mobile phone Plasma tv , Laptop game at cheap price comes with complete accessories with one year international warranty.
Email address : mediapoints_21@live.com
Blackberry Bold 9000-------$350
Blackberry storm 9500......$350usd
Samsung Omnia 16GB-----$400
Samsung Omnia 8GB------$350
Samsung Instinct sprint----$400
Nokia N97 32gb-------$500usd
Nokia N96 16gb------$450usd
Nokia N95 8gb-------$350
Apple iphone 3G 16GB -----$300
Apple iphone 3g 8gb--------$250
SONY ERICSSON XPERIA X1.......$450USD
AND MANY MORE…………
Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 SPECS:
2G Network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 1700
Dimensions 110 x 53 x 16.7 mm
Display Type TFT touchscreen, 65K colors
GPRS Class 10 (4+1/3+2 slots), 32 - 48 kbps
Camera 3.15 MP, 2048x1536 pixels
Size 800 x 480 pixels, 3 inches
WLAN Wi-Fi 802.11b/g
- Full QWERTY keyboard
- Optical joystick navigation
Card slot microSD (TransFlash)
- 400 MB internal memory
- 128MB RAM, 256MB storage memory
- Qualcomm MSM7200 528MHz processor
Battery Standard battery, Li-Po, 1500 mAh
WE MAKE SHIPPMENT VIA UPS OR FEDEX EXPRESS OR DHL EXPRESS IN 2 DAYS AFTER CONFIRMATION OF PAYMENT..
Email address : mediapoints_21@live.com
Same for me mate. So far from trawling the net I've only found the XDA forum posts. Such a pity. What use is having a keyboard then ey?
Oh well, will just have to see if a fix comes about.
I am also having the same problem. It started with the N key. Now it is spreading to the adjacent keys. What is strange though is that sometimes it works without a hitch, while sometimes I have to press the key really hard to get it to work.
I hope they can release a fix for this.
I had a similar problem. After using the phone for 4 weeks, suddenly the qwerty keyboard and buttons on front stopped responding. I’m still able to operate the phone using the touch screen, but there is no point to own this kind of phone without being able to use the qwerty keyboard. Additionally I found out that the qwerty keyboard works ok with some letters pressing the blue key plus letter w, g, o, v and ,
I sent it to Repair it. Hopefully the warranty will cover the fix.
The phone looks great, but I'm thinking on selling it. Never thought this could happen to my Xperia.
Same here with t, i, m, j! Hope a solution comes soon...
Yeah, me too. I experience the same issue, can't use the keyboard. and the touch screen mis-touch always, it's only half year from i use it.
So terrible....
Hi,same problem for me :( with the Spacebar, the coma ",", "n", "m" (AZERTY keyboard), anyone have solution for this problem ? who have a guid or notice to unmount the X1, I think I can repear the keyboard, but I need the notice to unmount the phone.
Amine (France)
@Amine and all,
FYI, my problem is fixed after I sent my phone to Sony Ericsson Service Centre for repair. They replaced the keyboard.
So it's definitely a hardware issue. Just bring the phone to the service centre while it's still under warranty.
Hi,
have exactly the same problem! the bottom row is the worst, but now it seems even the upper rows have the same problem. TOTALLY annoying, especially because I type a lot. I wouldn't recommend anyone else buying the x1 unless they won't use the keyboard at all.
Hi all,
I'm also experiencing the same problem, especially the Fn, b, spacebar, comma, etc. all at the lower part buttons. I talked to the customer service via online chat, and they suggested to update to the newer software, but still the problem stays the same. Anyone has better solutions?
Hi Anonymous,
I'm afraid the only real solution is to send it in to your local SE repair centre. You can try using some kind of a pressure blower to get rid of excess dust, but this only works for a few people and is very temporary ...
********** Exact same problem here. majority of the keys on the bottom row of the keyboard either don't register, register twice or 3 times. i had this problem after 1 month of using the xperia and sent it to the phone repair shop. they said it was a result of dirt on the inside of the keyboard. they cleaned it, sent it back and it worked like a charm. this however lasted for a total of 1 month, then back to the problem. i just need a good alternative phone that matches and i'll make the switch. SONY ERICSSON HAVE NO CLUE HOW TO MAKE A GOOD PHONE, LET ALONE A SMART PHONE. So disappointing, especially since i waited for a year for the release of the phone to get it.
my problem is the U I O P backspace buttons...so quite the opposite...but then my keyboard starts getting really messed up when my space button doesn't work properly...i did what you did, install the HTC on screen keyboar...I hope SE does something...but i doubt it since the X2 is coming out...
i guess the only solution is to buy the x2 when it comes out :D
indra orang indonesia ya? haha...
Phew! Great news people! I thought it was my fault of being to messy with the mobile or something like that. Also I'm experiencing more and more problems with the keys. I already was a little bit skeptical about this whole metallic thing they got going on. It seems to be very sensitive to dust and moist (or maybe the fat/skin of our fingers??).
In any case, it seems to be a serious design problem. Would be great if everybody can update on the solution. I'm going to send my mobile this week back to the telephone company (already I had problems with the headset. Somehow the programmers managed to enhance the background noise and lower the volume of my speech) and will update you on the solution.
Ciao!
i have had the same problem i have put off trying for a repair as i am stuck on time but know i see i am not the only one i will get it repaired
same problem in here n so i went to soner service center but then they said that i had to pay for the replacement n had to leave the phone for about 3 weeks - 1 month.that is too long...sony ericsson just dont have a great after sales service like nokia does...
same problem here.... also started with spacebar, n, g, ... what annoys me the most is that it now takes me longer to write a sms on the X1 than on my K800i with T9 because one always has to scroll back to insert/remove missing/extra spaces or letters! Some day if i have time (and am annoyed enough) i'll open it up and have a look whether the switch or ribbon contacts are dirty... Am dissapointed!
Hi guys,
I had the problem as well and had the keyboard replaced. I read somewhere that it is due to dust getting into the keyboard as it gets used through the small gaps between the keys and the casing.
I am going to try covering the entire keyboard with some clear tape ("contact" that is used for books might do the same thing), to attempt to prevent the dust from getting in.
This may be an old blog but I'm commenting anyway.
I had this problem a few months ago about 3-4 months after I bought it!
I went to the sony erricson service center to repair it and it took 2 months to repair it (because of a stupid mistake. I had 2 problems the keyboard and the battery, they fix battery/power problem but somehow they forgot all about the keyboard!!!)
And now a few months after they changed the keyboard (got it back in december) it's giving me problems again!
And I am not even using it half as much as the first time (because this time I was worried, handle with even more care, and barely used it because i wanted to sell it).
I can't keep going to the center every 3 months besides if it does break every 3 months I maybe have only 1 last time to get it fixed free cause my warranty is almost up.
I went to Sony Erricson Indonesia.
Btw siapa aja disini yang punya x1 dan udah pernah ke sony errison center di indo?
Kalo gw bs saranin semua orang yang mau beli produk Sony Erricson.
Harap hati2 dengan produk2nya yang high-end!
Bangsat beli hp semahal (dan semustinya bagus) gini bukannya membantu(pekerjaan sehari2) malah nyusahin dikit2 ada masalah!
Udah gw bela2in...gw bilang nih hp bagus taunya..gini
By someone who hates big corporation who screws people!
My keyboard is also giving problems - right hand side specifically where the letters are erratic.
I sent it in for repair to SE here in South Africa - and got the phone back with "software update" having been performed on the phone.
Basically, SE reset the phone to factory default and sent it back - without having done a single thing to repair the problem.
It may sound silly but i might have found the solution.. Connect your USB cable to the telephone and press the USB port downwards. Somehow it worked for me and everything functions normally again. Before almost EVERY key got registred 2 or 3 or even 5 times. Give it a try!
Here's the solution that workes for me. It may sound a bit weird but connect the USB cable to your telephone and press the USB port downwards for a bit. I don't know why, but I do know that it fixed my problem where before the keys got registred 2, 3 or even 5 times with almost all of the keys. Give it a try!
Hi guys, i have used this fone for less than a year, and im very disappointed. None of my keys are working. I was really enjoying the xperia but now i see sony just made it to be used for less than a year!!
exact same problem . "m" key first then mostly the bottom row key. such an annoying disabling problem for what otherwise was a great phone which initially had a sweet keyboard !
hi, have owned it for an year now, and was facing the problem. began with space bar, then spread. replaced it for $30 at the SE service station. worked fine for a month, but again giving me issues. shucks, such a lovely fone, yet design flaw. 'n' none the cheaper too...
Have you tried the options in Settings>Personal>Buttons>Up/Down Control?
Solved my keboard problems.
Hello, I've my xperia x1 since 1.5 years and I'm experiencing the same problem since a while. I tried to send it to Sony-Ericsson twice and the problem is still there... I can't understand why they can't figure out about this topic...
100% sure: That's my last SonyEricsson
I am also experiencing the same problems. It started after I have had the phone for about a year.
Sad that it seems to be a general manufactoring problem. I really like the phone and I spent a lot of time doing research on other brands before I picked it.
(October 12, 2010)
I have had the problem with the keyboard for a year now. Sony Ericsson service centre replaced my keyboard once, with no effects. Then they replaced the motherboard. It was OK for a few months and now again the same problem. This mobile phone is a failure. I'll give it to my wife who never uses the sliding keyboard.
woow..nice info..
I tried the solution with the usb cable and it worked for me
i do not have the keys not registering but every time i try and type a word it automatically hits enter when im typing! SSOOOOO ANNNOYING, any solutins?
the phone is really annoying. I owned a SE P990i that I've been using it for many years and it is really durable EXCEPT for the QWERTY Keypad. So most of the time I use the Flip board instead. NOW, I was given with the SE XPERIA X1 by my aunt but I was just ANNOYED with its sliding keyboard plus USELESS On Screen keyboard which are very small. They should have a larger on screen keyboard to make it easy to tap without any hassle of using the stylus. well this unit is good for music and video plays and for wifi uses. but for texting, it's time consuming and for making word documents
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