[Solved] Laptop Keyboard Not Working?

[Solved] Laptop Keyboard Not Working?

/ Andrew Holdeman

When your laptop keyboard stops working, it can disrupt even the simplest tasks, regardless of how well the rest of your device is performing. This can be particularly troublesome for frequent users who depend on their laptops for daily activities. Thankfully, there are straightforward solutions available that can help you address and resolve keyboard issues quickly.

This guide outlines practical steps to troubleshoot and fix your laptop’s keyboard, covering everything from using the onscreen keyboard as a temporary fix to adjusting settings and updating drivers. Whether the problem lies in dirt under the keys, a disconnected cable, or software glitches, we provide clear instructions to help get your keyboard back to working order.

We’ll explore various fixes, including enabling the onscreen keyboard, turning off filter keys, disabling fast startup, updating keyboard drivers, checking keyboard layout settings, and scanning for malware. Each section offers concise, step-by-step guidance aimed at resolving specific keyboard challenges, making it easier for you to diagnose and resolve the issue at hand.

Use the on-Screen Keyboard

Your laptop keyboard may not work for various reasons. It could be dirt stuck in the keys, connectors, compressed air, or any potential physical damage that has cut off the connection between the keyboard and your device. So if you are trying to work on your laptop and your keyboard is not working, then you can use the onscreen keyboard. Here are the steps to launch and use the onscreen keyboard. 

Step 1: Launch settings from the main menu, and in the settings window, select the option of ‘ease of access.’

open ease of access

Step 2: In the next window, click on ‘interaction‘ followed by selecting the option of ‘keyboards.’ 

keyboard option

Step 3: Select the option to use the onscreen keyboard

Turn Off Filter Keys for the Keyboard Driver

Filter keys facilitate the users who cannot press two function keys simultaneously. Sometimes, the filter keys can cause an error, i.e. ‘the laptop keyboard not working. Turning off the filter keys can resolve the problem if you face this issue. Whether it’s the entire keyboard or a specific keyboard key, here are the steps to follow: 

Step 1: Type ‘control panel‘ in the main menu’s search bar and double-click the utility to launch. 

windows search control panel

Step 2: In the control panel window, select the option of ‘ease of access.’

open ease of access

Step 3: In the next window, select the option of the ‘change how your keyboard works‘ link. 

ease of access center

Step 4: In the link, uncheck the ‘turn on filter keys‘ box. 

disable filter keys

Step 5: Select apply and click ok to complete the action.  

Disable Fast Startup for the Laptop Keyboard if the Laptop Keyboard Stops Working

As the name implies, the fast startup option helps to run a quick reboot on Windows 10. This causes the error if you are using the external keyboard. Disabling the fast startup may help to resolve keyboard-linked issues. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Launch the control panel from the main menu’s search bar. 

windows search control panel

Step 2: In the control panel window, select the option of ‘hardware and sound.’ 

hardware and sound

Step 3: In hardware and sound options, select ‘Power Options.’ 

power options

Step 4: In the power window, click and press the link ‘Choose what the power buttons do.’ 

choose what power button does

Step 5: In the next window, select the link ‘Change Settings that are currently unavailable.’ Then ensure you uncheck the box of ‘turn on fast startup.’ Select save changes and complete the action. 

Update Keyboard Drivers for Keyboard Input if Your Keyboard Device isn’t Working

One of the reasons for the laptop keyboard not working is the faulty keyboard drivers installed in your device. A corrupted or damaged system file linked to attached devices like a keyboard can cause a functionality error. Hence, using updated drivers may resolve the problem. Here are the steps with which one can update the keyboard drivers. 

Step 1: In the main menu, right-click the start option and select ‘device manager.’

windows search device manager

Step 2: In the device manager window, select the option of ‘expand keyboards.’ 

update keyboard driver

Step 3: You can see the faulty device (keyboard) in the list. Right-click the option and select ‘update drivers‘ from the menu. 

update keyboard driver automatically

Step 4: Browse for updated driver software.

Step 5: As soon as your device searches for updated drivers, it will install them automatically. 

Uninstall Keyboard Drivers to See if There is a Hardware Issue

Updating keyboard drivers can resolve the issue, yet in some cases, uninstalling and reinstallation of drivers can serve the purpose. If you uninstall the driver manually, the operating system will automatically install the compatible drivers for your device. 

Step 1: Launch the device manager from the main menu of your device. 

Step 2: In the next window, select the ‘keyboards‘ option and right-click the option to choose ‘uninstall the device.’ Click on the option to complete the action.

uninstall keyboard driver

Step 3: Restart your computer. It will automatically reinstall the device. If your keyword is still not working, continue on to the following method.

Check Keyboard Layout Settings for Keyboard Keys and Different Keyboard Layouts

The keyboard layout is another important factor that counts when your device fails, as your laptop keyboard is not working. If your keyboard constantly presents an error, and you are typing different keys, then changing or selecting a different layout may fix the error. Here are the steps for how to change the keyboard layout. 

Step 1: Launch settings from the main menu and select the option of ‘time and language.’ 

change time and language

Step 2: In the window of ‘time and language,’ click on ‘language and region.’

language and regions

Step 3: In the list of languages and regions, select the option of ‘preferred languages‘ and choose ‘English‘ as language from the language options. Then you will check if you have correctly installed the appropriate keyboard’s native language layout. 

Check for Potential Malware and Viruses That’ll Affect Your Keyboard Driver

Any malware or virus in the device may prevent the standard functionality of the keyboard. In this context, scan your device for any virus from in-build windows defender options and run an appropriate antivirus to clean the machine. Here are the steps to follow for scanning via windows defender. 

Step 1: Launch settings from the main menu, and select the option of ‘windows security.’ Next, click ‘virus and threat protection‘ in the Windows security option. 

Step 2: In the virus and threat protection window, click the option of ‘quick scan.’ Wait for the scan to complete. 

Check for Hardware Issues that Could Affect Your Laptop Keyboard

Laptop keyboards may not work due to hardware issues. To confirm the root cause, check if the keyboard works in pre-boot mode. If the keyboard is fine just before windows start, it is the software or driver-linked error, but if it works properly, you need to check the hardware. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Launch settings from the main menu. In the settings window, type ‘recovery‘ in the search bar and select the option of ‘recovery options.’ Then select ‘advanced startup‘ in recovery, followed by ‘restart now.’ 

Step 2: Reboot the device, and select ‘troubleshoot‘ followed by ‘advanced options.’ Look for the command prompt in advanced options and launch it to test the keyboard. If the keyboard works fine, then it is the hardware that needs repair. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I fix my external keyboard?

To fix a keyboard driver, you will first need to identify the type of external keyboard you are using. Depending on the specific model, keyboard settings, and manufacturer of your keyboard, there may be particular solutions or troubleshooting steps that you can take to resolve issues with your external keyboard driver.

One option is to uninstall and reinstall external keyboards on your devices. Choosing to uninstall device features can often help to fix software or configuration issues that may be causing problems with your device.

Alternatively, some manufacturers may offer firmware updates or other fixes that can help to improve the performance and reliability of your external keyboard driver.

In addition to these steps, it is crucial to ensure that your laptop’s hardware and other drivers and applications on your computer are up-to-date, as outdated drivers or software can sometimes lead to compatibility problems or other issues with your external drive.

You may also want to consider running a diagnostic scan on your computer occasionally to ensure that there are no other underlying issues affecting the device’s performance.

Should I use a Bluetooth keyboard or USB keyboard?

Either working keyboard is beneficial to have on your device manager. Although having a wireless connection is convenient, it is also problematic if you have connection issues. Problems with Bluetooth can lead to slow keys and a delayed keyboard icon.

A keyboard that features both options (wireless and USB) would prove the most efficient.

Do updates fix laptop keyboard problems?

An update can help fix a keyboard malfunction by addressing any underlying software or hardware issues that may be causing the problem.

These issues could include problems with the keyboard drivers, corrupt system files, or faulty hardware components. An update may also have patches and bug fixes that can help resolve any performance or compatibility issues causing the issue.

Additionally, an update may include diagnostic tools or software that can help troubleshoot and diagnose the source of the problem, which can help guide you in taking corrective action to resolve the issue.

Keeping your device up-to-date is a critical way to maintain optimal performance and functionality of your keyboard, which can help prevent further malfunctions from occurring in the future.

Will pressing the power button affect my keyboard settings?

Resetting your PC device will usually not cause anything harmful to your keyboard. Whether you have an onscreen keyboard, or a wireless one, resetting your device will possibly help with any keyboard issues that you are currently experiencing.

If you have a built-in keyboard or an onscreen keyboard, both will be affected the most if you choose to power on and off your entire unit. Another wise option would be to view your PC health check to see if there is anything odd or software issues. A software issue can affect the click settings of your onscreen or wireless keyboard.

How do I fix Alt-Tab not working?

There are a few potential reasons why the Alt-Tab function might not work properly. One possibility is that the function is not enabled in the system settings.

Another possibility is that there is a conflict with another program running simultaneously. To resolve this problem, first, check the system settings to see if the Alt-Tab function is enabled. If it is not, then enable it and try again.

Andrew Holdeman
Meet the author

Andrew has extensive experience with a wide range of writing platforms and automation systems. He has spent over 6 years creating content and troubleshooting for various companies. He also enjoys spending time with his family and his fiancé, while staying active and healthy.