Have you recently noticed that the keyboard on your laptop has stopped working? This issue may arise from time to time. The trackpad and external devices may still function, but there may be a problem with the built-in keyboard. This article will give you some helpful hints for getting your desktop or laptop keyboard up and running again. These suggestions may or may not be the perfect solution to your problem, but they can certainly assist. This article applies to most laptops from HP, Dell, Acer, Lenovo, and other Windows 11 and Windows 10 manufacturers. Or talk to our team direct for Windows help.
The laptop keyboard not working and isn’t typing.
Here are a few things to try if your Windows 11/10 laptop keyboard isn’t working:
- Physically inspect the keys.
- Using a brush, clean the keyboard.
- In BIOS, see if the keyboard works.
- Reinstall the keyboard drivers if necessary.
- Reset the keyboard to its default settings.
- In the Clean Boot State, troubleshoot any issues.
- Run the Keyboard Troubleshooter program.
- Use the Hardware Troubleshooter to find out what’s wrong with your computer.
- Disable the filter keys and see what happens.
Let’s take a closer look at them.
Note: If you have a touchscreen display or laptop, you can operate your Windows PC without using a mouse or keyboard, which simplifies debugging. It’s a little more difficult if you don’t have a touchscreen display or a Windows PC, and your mouse and keyboard have ceased working. It’s possible that you’ll have to use the on-screen keyboard. Also, check out our guide on how to use a Windows computer without a mouse or keyboard.
1] Examine the keys physically
The first thing you should do is check to see if any keys or keys on the keyboard have physically broken. There is nothing you can do if there is a bodily collision. This laptop must be transported to the service center.
2.] Use a brush to clean the keyboard.
Start by cleaning the keyboard with a brush. Make sure the keyboard is free of dust and that it is crisp and clean. You can clean your laptop with a laptop cleaning kit or an old toothbrush. Keep your brush dry and wipe your keyboard gently.
3] Check the keyboard in BIOS to see if it is operational.
When you’ve visited the BIOS menu, there’s one more thing you can do to make sure the keyboard works. Restart the computer and press the keys (typically Esc or Del) to access the BIOS menu while it is loading up. If you were able to access the BIOS menu and navigate using the arrow keys, we can presume the issue is with the software rather than the hardware.
4] Uninstall and reinstall the keyboard drivers.
The keyboard drivers must now be reinstalled. If you don’t feel comfortable working without a keyboard, you can temporarily enable the on-screen keyboard or connect an external keyboard. For further information, see this page on how to operate a Windows computer without a keyboard or mouse.
To update the driver, go to the Winx Menu and select Device Manager. Your laptop’s keyboard can now be found under “Keyboards.” Select “Uninstall” from the context menu by right-clicking on it. If you are unsure about the keyboard on your laptop, you can uninstall all of the keyboards.
Check to verify if your computer’s driver is automatically installed after restarting. To install it, open Devices Manager again, right-click on Keyboards and select Scan for hardware changes.
Check to see if the keyboard works after the driver have been installed.
5] Restore the keyboard’s default settings.
If you suspect that any third-party software or your own actions have rendered the keyboard unusable, You can restore the default keyboard settings.
6] Troubleshoot when in the “Clean Boot” state
You can conduct a “clean boot” and verify if the keyboard is operating but not properly taking inputs. You can then check to see if the keyboard is operating properly. If it works, it’s likely that some third-party program or service is interfering with the keyboard’s usual operation, which you’ll need to find.
Start the Keyboard Troubleshooter program.
7 ]Try running the Keyboard Troubleshooter to see if it helps.
8] Launch the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter.
See if the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter can assist you.
9] Disable the filter keys and observe what happens.
If you notice a little delay between pressing a key and seeing a character appear on the screen, you should disable Filter Keys. Filter keys basically ignore repeated keystrokes to let folks with hand tremors type more easily. However, it can present issues for people who type at a typical or fast speed. Go to Settings and then Ease of Access to disable filter keys. Select the keyboard option from the left menu to disable the filter keys. This could be the solution to your problem.
These are a few pointers to help you get your keyboard operating again. Other than that, you can use the hardware diagnostics tool that your laptop’s manufacturer may have installed on it. If nothing else works, taking the laptop to a licensed repair center is the best alternative.
Here are some more tips to help you resolve the problem with your keyboard or mouse not working.
Is it possible to lock your keyboard by accident?
It can happen if you have the filter keys enabled, which slows down the keyboard repeat rate by ignoring brief or repeated inputs. It means that if you type too quickly, you won’t be able to see what you’re typing. Because of shaky hand motions, filter keys are an accessibility feature that ignores any keypress.
Is there a way to lock the keyboard?
No, most of the time. Also, unless you press a particular combination, Windows does not allow you to lock your keyboard. Although some OEMs offer keyboard locks, it is still uncommon. Apart from these, there are desktop apps that offer similar functionality but only allow you to utilise the keyboard when entering or pressing the access keys.