Having trouble with your laptop keyboard? Learn how to get it working again with these simple steps.
Restart and Clean Your Keyboard
1. Restart your laptop: Sometimes, a simple reboot can solve keyboard issues. Restart your laptop and see if the keyboard starts working again.
2. Clean your keyboard: Use a can of compressed air to blow out any debris that may be stuck under the keys. This can help to remove any dust or crumbs that are causing the keys to stick.
3. Use a microfiber cloth: Dampen a microfiber cloth with rubbing alcohol and gently wipe down the keys. This can help to remove any dirt or grime that may be causing the keys to malfunction.
4. Check for any damaged keys: Look for any keys that may be damaged or stuck. If you find any, you may need to replace the keycap or clean under the key to fix the issue.
5. Update your device drivers: Check for any updates to your device drivers that may be causing the keyboard to not work properly. You can do this through the Device Manager on Windows or System Settings on a Mac.
6. Consider uninstalling any recently installed software: If you recently installed any new software, it may be causing conflicts with your keyboard. Try uninstalling the software to see if that resolves the issue.
7. Consult customer support: If you have tried all of the above steps and your keyboard is still not working, it may be time to contact customer support for further troubleshooting.
Adjust Keyboard Settings and Layout
- Open Control Panel by clicking on the Start menu and selecting Control Panel.
- Make sure the View by option is set to Category.
- Click on Clock, Language, and Region.
- Click on Change input methods under Language.
- Change keyboard settings by clicking on Change keyboards.
- Click on Add and select the keyboard layout you want to use.
- Click OK to save the changes.
- Set the default input language by clicking on the Language bar tab.
- Check the box next to Show the Language bar.
- Select the default input language from the drop-down menu.
Utilize an Onscreen or External Keyboard
If your laptop keyboard is not working properly, you can try utilizing an onscreen or external keyboard as a temporary solution.
Onscreen Keyboard: To access the onscreen keyboard on a Windows computer, go to the Start menu, type “osk” in the search bar, and press Enter. For Mac users, you can find the onscreen keyboard in the Accessibility settings under System Preferences.
External Keyboard: If you have an external keyboard available, you can simply plug it into one of the USB ports on your laptop. Most external keyboards will automatically start working once connected.
If you are using an onscreen keyboard, make sure to position it in a convenient location on your screen for easy access. For external keyboards, ensure that it is compatible with your laptop and that the drivers are properly installed.
Using an onscreen or external keyboard can help you continue using your laptop while you troubleshoot the issue with your built-in keyboard. Remember to reboot your laptop after connecting the external keyboard to ensure that it is recognized by the system.
If you are still experiencing issues with your laptop keyboard, you may need to troubleshoot further by checking for any software updates, cleaning the keyboard for debris, or uninstalling and reinstalling the keyboard driver.
Update Drivers and Disable Fast Startup
To get your laptop keyboard working again, the first step is to update drivers. Outdated or incorrect drivers can cause issues with your keyboard functionality. Go to the Device Manager in your system settings and look for the keyboard driver. Right-click on it and select “Update driver” to ensure you have the latest version installed.
Another common solution is to disable Fast Startup. This feature can sometimes cause problems with hardware on your computer, including the keyboard. To do this, go to your Control Panel, then Power Options, and select “Choose what the power buttons do.” From there, click on “Change settings that are currently unavailable” and uncheck the box next to “Turn on fast startup.”
If your laptop keyboard still isn’t working after updating drivers and disabling Fast Startup, you may need to try troubleshooting other possible issues. Check for any physical damage to the keyboard, such as stuck keys or debris. You can use compressed air to clean out any dust or dirt that may be causing a problem. If necessary, you can also gently clean the keys with rubbing alcohol.
If you’re using a Mac computer, you can try resetting the keyboard layout in the System Preferences. Go to the Keyboard settings and select the correct layout, such as QWERTY. You can also try restarting your MacBook to see if that resolves the issue.
If all else fails, you may need to consider uninstalling and then reinstalling the keyboard driver. Go back to the Device Manager, right-click on the keyboard driver, and select “Uninstall device.” Reboot your computer, and Windows will automatically reinstall the driver.
F.A.Q.
Why is my laptop keyboard not typing anything?
Your laptop keyboard may not be typing anything due to physical damage, such as spills, drops, dust, or wear and tear. Signs of hardware issues include stuck, loose, or missing keys, as well as keys producing the wrong characters or no response at all.
How do I reactivate my laptop keyboard?
To reactivate your laptop keyboard, try pressing the ‘FN’ key located at the bottom left of the keyboard while simultaneously pressing other keys such as ‘Scroll Lock’ or ‘Num Lock’. This should reset the lock and allow you to use your keyboard again.
How do you fix a key on a laptop keyboard that is not working?
To fix a key on a laptop keyboard that is not working, start by disconnecting any cables or powering down your laptop. Carefully remove the keycap and clean it with a dry cloth to remove any dust particles. Securely put the key back in place.
How do I reset an unresponsive keyboard?
To reset an unresponsive keyboard, unplug the keyboard and hold down the ESC key. Plug the keyboard back in while still holding the ESC key, then release after 5 seconds. Look for keyboard lighting to flash, indicating a successful reset.
