Keys are sticking

Keyboards are throw/aways, buy a new one, any kind should work but may not have all the dell features your use to.

if the keyboard is too old and if you have used it a lot, then ou have to replace the keyboard. The space bar alone had gone.

u have to replace the keyboard at a service center or use usb keyboard

On dell's website there is a step by step instructions on how to attach it back on. I had to do the same thing on mine machine. Just go to dell's site and on the search bar on how to attach the keyboard.

You can easily fix your space bar. I fixed mine last month when my daughter pulled it out of the keyboard. I used this video tutorial guide to help install the space bar key back into place. Its really very simple. have a look:
http://www.laptopkey.com/installation_guides.php

Use a credit card or plastic Id, insert it and bend it gently. If it fails, you can use 2 cards, one on each side of the spacebar.

If after all you are unable to remove the spacebar, try removing the keys around it, just remember their distribution.

Beware, the spacebar is a little more complicated to put back in place compared to the other keys, as you said, there is a spring.

Hi!
I had the same problem when i got the keyboard. In my case, it was because the tiny metal bar that is supposed to transfer the pressure from the right and left sides of the bar to the mittle was not attached correctly.
I removed all the screws from the back of the keyboard (note that there are screws underneath the rubber pads, but don't worry about them, they will stick to the keyboard again) and lifted off the top (including the keys). Then i could pop off the space bar from behind (didn't work for me otherwise... maybe it is possible to pop it off without removing all the screws) and correctly insert the metal bar into the mounting.
Hope this helps.

turn your keyboard upside down and tap it a few times. if that doesnt solve the problem repeat.

If it still won't work write back for more ideas.

good luck and please rate my answer. thanks.

You cleaned the rubber under the buttons and the buttons too? All you do is put the metal bars straight down then angle it about 10 degree towards you then put it in like a regular key, but if you lost the wire then.... might need to get a new one, heh.

For me, I popped of the space bar, cleaned the junk underneath and fidgeted with the plastic push-button and all was better. Thanks for the suggestion!