Windows 10 Laptop Keyboard is Not Working

Dave Miller – Tech Enthusiast & Security Expert – January 10th, 2022

Having a keyboard problem is one of the most frustrating things that can happen to a computer user. The ability to input data, connect with others, and execute orders is all made possible by keyboards, which are an essential part of every PC or laptop. Even some functionality can be accessed more quickly via keyboard shortcuts.

Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place since this article will show you why your Windows 10 laptop keyboard isn’t working and how to get your keyboard operating again.

Why Does My Windows 10 Laptop Keyboard Not Function?

There are many reasons why your Windows 10 keyboard is not functioning. In some cases, you may be dealing with hardware issues, or there may be a small problem with your laptop.

A list of the most common causes reported by Windows 10 users has been compiled, which may have a cause that is relevant to you.

Your keyboard has been harmed in some way. Damage to your keyboard can cause problems when you’re trying to type. Examine the keyboard’s body and the connection connecting it for any signs of damage, especially if it’s a USB keyboard.

There’s a problem with your battery. Make sure your keyboard’s battery is charged if you’re using a wireless keyboard. Replace the battery if necessary.
Your drivers are out of date or missing. Even though your computer hardware isn’t officially supported by Microsoft, you’ll still need to keep your drivers up to date to ensure that everything works as it should. It’s possible that your device won’t work if the proper keyboard drivers are missing or outdated.
The wrong USB port is being used. In some cases, the USB port you’ve hooked your keyboard into may not be compatible with your device. It’s possible that the USB port on your computer is broken and needs to be replaced.
Your power settings are incorrectly set up. Several power-saving features are available in Windows 10. You can turn off inactive gadgets on your computer, which may include your keyboard.

How To Make Your Windows 10 Laptop Keyboard Work Properly

In light of what we’ve learned, it’s time to begin the process of diagnosing your Windows 10 laptop’s keyboard issues. There are numerous ways to resolve this problem, so try them all out and find which one works best for you!

Your Computer Has To Be Restarted

In the event that you’re experiencing computer issues, this is the first thing to attempt. Restarting your computer is a simple and quick solution to any keyboard problems you’re having.

The good news is that restarting your laptop does not necessitate the use of a functional keyboard. To restart Windows 10, simply open the Start menu, click Power, and then choose Restart. You can also hit and hold the power button on your PC for a few seconds if you’re having issues with your mouse and touchpad. Then, verify whether pressing a button to turn it back on fixes the issue.

Use Keyboard Shortcuts In Windows 10

Keyboards may become unavailable or bolted out if certain key mixtures are accidentally pressed.

The following key combinations have been reported by users to work around this issue and unlock the keyboard.

On your computer’s keyboard, press Windows + space.
On your laptop’s keyboard, press the Lock Icon key. The key with the Lock Icon may be the Escape Key, the F10 Key, or another key depending on the manufacturer.
Press and hold down the Shift key while pressing and holding the Lock Icon Key.

Disable Filter Keys

The Filter Keys setting in Windows 10 permits the computer to manage however it deals with accidental continual keystrokes. However, this setting can sometimes cause issues with certain Keyboards.

Open Settings on your laptop and click on Ease of Access.
On consecutive screen, choose Keyboard in the left-pane. Within the right-pane, turn-off Filter Keys possibility.
Restart your computer and see if the USB Keyboard is now operating.

Uncheck the “Allow the Computer To Turn Off This Device To Save Power” Option

It’s possible that you’re Power Management settings disable your wireless adapter from time to time, causing it to temporarily disconnect. You can easily fix this by making one small adjustment.

Press the Windows + X keys on your keyboard and click on the Device Manager option from the menu.
Expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers menu by clicking on the arrow next to it.
Double-click on the USB your keyboard is connected to (usually either USB Root Hub or Generic USB Hub,) then switch over to the Power Management tab in the new window.
Uncheck the box next to “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power” then click OK.
Restart your Windows 10 laptop and see if you still experience the same issues with the keyboard.

Clean The Keyboard

Another reason why your Windows 10 laptop computer may not be working is probably because it’s dirty or some debris got inside the keys. To get rid of the dust and dirt, follow the instructions:

The first step is to turn off the gadget.
Flip it over and give it a couple of taps on the base. Using your fingers, run your fingers over the keys to remove any remaining dirt.

Run The Troubleshooter

When your laptop’s Windows 10 keyboard doesn’t work, you can attempt troubleshooting it. Troubleshoot, a built-in function of Windows 10, will come in handy.

Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security.
In the Troubleshoot page, scroll down to find the Keyboard section, and choose Run the Troubleshooter. Besides, you can run the troubleshooter for Hardware and Devices.

The Problem May Be A Hardware Or Software Issue

Your Windows 10 laptop keyboard may be malfunctioning due to a hardware or software issue, and this step will help you determine which the case is.

While your Windows 10 laptop computer is starting up, hold down a specific key repeatedly to accomplish this. F2 or Delete are the most common keys to press, depending on the kind of laptop you have. While your PC is starting up, a key will be presented at the bottom of the screen.

A software fault is to blame for your keyboard-related problems if you can access the BIOS. Assuming this is the case, you’re probably dealing with a hardware issue.

If It's A Hardware Problem, What Should I Do?

First, if there is a problem with the hardware, try to wipe down your Windows 10 laptop’s keyboard. To ensure your safety, turn off and unplug your laptop before doing any work. Once you’ve done that, flip the laptop over and gently shake and tap the bottom. Hopefully you’ll be able to clean out the keyboard of any dust or grime that has accumulated there. You can also use a can of compressed air or blow into the keyboard.

It may be necessary to remove the battery from your laptop and plug the device back in if that doesn’t work. If the battery overheats, it can cause keyboard-related issues, in this case you may need to remove unnecessary programs from your Windows 10 laptop to prevent it from overheating and consuming too much energy.

In addition, it’s possible the keyboard has been harmed or unplugged from the main board. Open the laptop and connect the keyboard, or replace it if it’s faulty, in these two situations. You can send the laptop in to get it fixed if it’s still under warranty. You should get a professional to fix it if it isn’t, unless you are an expert in the field and have the proper tools.

To Resolve A Software Problem, What Do You Need To Do?

With a software problem, it’s likely that you’ll be able to get your laptop keyboard operating again in no time at all. Try a few of these suggestions out.

Update your keyboard driver by going to the Keyboards menu in Device Manager, expand the list, and then click Update driver.
Check whether your keyboard works after the upgrade is complete.
The next step is to uninstall the driver and reinstall it.
Select the Uninstall device option by right-clicking the Standard PS/2 Keyboard once more.
Restart your device after deleting the driver, and it should reinstall itself. Verify if the issue has been resolved by using the keyboard once more.

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Dave Miller

IT Consultant at Online Cloud Security

Dave Miller is an IT Consultant for Online Cloud Security and has over 7 years of experience in the Information Technology space. He also specializes in repairing laptops & computers. In his spare time, he loves to talk about new technologies and hosts monthly IT and Cyber Security meetings in the Houston area.

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