Keybow Mini middle key not working

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1

I got a Keybow Mini for Christmas, with the intention of setting it up for a Copy, Cut and Paste keypad.
I left it for a bit (like 2-3 months) until I had a chance, so I’m not sure if it was always broken but I set up the software as a tester and found that the middle key doesn’t do its assigned function, whatever that may be; numbers or pausing music. This may not be down to the Keybow itself, because it looks fine from the outside and I haven’t bent any contacts etc. I’ve tried swapping keys around and it still doesn’t work. Now, it’s entirely possible that the issue is with the Raspberry Pi Zero because I soldered the header myself and in the application of the HAT, a few pins poked through the other side (not good). I pushed them back in, but I have no way of knowing if this is the issue because I only have one RPi Zero. Can it be tested with a full-size Pi? If so, where would you plug in the cable? Is there a way of seeing if your GPIOs are broken?

And if the issue is with the HAT, not the Pi (unlikely), how will I send it back, as it was a gift?

2

If some pins are protruding out the back side of the Pi, and they moved when you plugged in the hat, they must not have been soldered in properly? A picture of your soldering may be in order.
I couldn’t find a pinout for the keybow so I have no idea what pins it uses?
I do believe what ever Pi you use with the keybow needs to support gadget mode.

3

Maybe. Soldering is definitely not my strong point

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Apologies for poor photo quality.

4

Back view of the Pi was what I was after. The back side of the GPIO header where its soldered. Doesn’t look good from that picture.
soldering101

5

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Can it be fixed at all, do you think?

6

Its not good but you may be able to salvage it.
Have a look see here.
https://learn.pimoroni.com/tutorial/sandyj/the-ultimate-guide-to-soldering

7

I am amazed. After about half an hour of poking it with a soldering iron, I was convinced I’d made it worse. But now the middle key works! Thanks for all your help.

8

No problem. Soldering is something you get good at with practice. Hardly anybody gets it right first time around. It can be pretty bad looking and still be functional though.

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