Your laptop keyboard is one of the most important parts of your computer. It’s how you type, enter passwords, and interact with your computer. So when it stops working, it can be a major inconvenience.
There are a few reasons why your laptop keyboard might not be working. It could be a hardware issue, such as a loose connection or a broken key. It could also be a software issue, such as a driver problem or a setting that’s been changed.
In this article, we’ll show you how to fix a laptop keyboard that’s not working. We’ll cover both hardware and software solutions, so you can get your keyboard up and running again quickly.
Why is My Laptop Keyboard Not Working?
In many cases, laptop/computer keyboard problems can happen because of hardware issues or software glitches. Here are some of the reasons why the laptop keyboard is not working whether it is Hp, Dell, Lenovo, Asus, or Acer;
- Outdated or incompatible keyboard drivers.
- The issue with the motherboard.
- Dust and debris under the keys.
- Sensitivity settings issue.
- Faulty or damaged keys.
- BIOS settings misconfigured.
- Hardware failure.
How to Fix Your Laptop Keyboard Not Working Issue
If your laptop keyboard is not typing letters, then here are some of the quick fixes you can try;
- See if restarting your laptop solves the problem, and thoroughly clean the keyboard.
- You can also check if your keyboard driver and layout settings need changes.
In case your keyboard suddenly stops working/keys are not working on your laptop, then here are the potential fixes that can solve your problem;
1. Clean the Laptop/Computer Keyboard
If your laptop keyboard is not working on Windows 11/10, then cleaning the computer keyboard might sort out your problem.
Sometimes, a big hardware issue could be a small problem. If only a few keys on your keyboard don’t work right, dirt and stuff under them might be the cause.
To check, use a soft brush or cloth to clean the keys and remove any dirt. You can also use a cloth with rubbing alcohol to clean away dried liquids or tough dirt. For a good clean, you can blow compressed air between the keys.
2. Reconnect the Motherboard
If the laptop keyboard is not typing letters, reconnect the motherboard. In case your keyboard has lost connection with your laptop’s motherboard or has been damaged, this is a complicated problem.
We recommend you take your laptop to an expert for a quick repair rather than fixing it yourself, like the Mom-and-Pop computer repair store.
3. Update the Keyboard Driver
If some keyboard keys are not working on Windows 10/11, try to update the keyboard driver. Most users on the forum suggest that updating the keyboard driver solved their problem. Whether you’re facing that issue on Hp, Dell, Lenovo, Asus, or Acer laptops, updating the keyboard driver will solve your problem;
To do so, follow the below steps;
For Windows Laptop/Computer
Step 1: Right-click the Windows icon and select Device Manager from the menu.
Step 2: Click the arrow next to Keyboards, then right-click on a keyboard listed and select Update Driver.
Step 3: Select Search automatically for updated driver software.
Step 4: Click on Update Driver.
For Mac laptops Users;
Step 1: Open System Preferences > Accessibility, then click Keyboard in the menu on the left.
Step 2: Check whether Enable Slow Keys is selected in the Hardware section. If so, unselect Enable Slow Keys.
While this feature can stop you from accidentally entering keys you don’t want to; it can also cause general typing issues.
Alternatively, you can download Driver Easy and make the whole process seamless. Download the software and install it; upon launching, click on check for updates and let the software find the latest drivers for your hardware. Once the process is complete, install the drivers and restart your PC.
4. Change the Keyboard Layout
To fix the Hp & Dell laptop keyboard not working on Windows 11/10/7, you need to change the keyboard layout. It’s possible that the language on your laptop or keyboard layout was accidentally changed. Make sure that you have the US -QWERTY keyboard layout.
If you notice your keys are producing different letters than they should be, follow these steps:
For Windows Laptop/Computer Users;
Step 1: Click the Start menu and Settings, then select Time and Language and Click Language on the left-hand side
Step 2: Click your existing language and select Options.
Step 3: In the Keyboards section, select Add a Keyboard, then choose the layout you want to add.
For Mac laptops Users;
Step 1: Open System Preferences > Keyboard > Input Sources.
Step 2: Select Show input menu in the menu bar at the bottom, click the plus symbol (+) and choose a language to add.
5. Try Using an External Keyboard
If your laptop keyboard is not typing letters or suddenly stops working, try connecting an external keyboard to your laptop to check if it works.
If the external keyboard doesn’t work, the issue might be with the software. But if it does work, there could be a bigger hardware problem with your laptop’s own keyboard. There’s still a chance to fix it, though!
6. Remove the Battery (If You Can)
Removing the battery will help you to solve your laptop keyboard not working problem. Because sometimes, the battery under the laptop’s keyboard can cause issues.
If your laptop’s battery can be taken out, shut down the laptop, remove the battery, and use only the power cable. If the keyboard works without the battery, you might need to replace it. Get an official battery from the laptop’s maker for safety.
6. Power Cycle the Laptop
After researching on many forums, a user suggested that by doing a cold reboot technique/residual power drain, his keyboard not working issue was resolved. To resolve your issue, you have to follow the below steps;
Step 1: Turn off your PC/Laptop.
Step 2: Disconnect all extra devices.
Step 3: Close the laptop lid and reset the battery by holding a metallic pin in the pin keyhole for 15 seconds. If the battery is removable, take it out.
Step 4: Hold the power button for 30 seconds.
Step 5: After waiting 25 minutes, plug in USB devices, connect the power cord, and turn on the PC.
After doing all the steps, I hope your keyboard works normally again.
7. Unplug the Power Cord
If some of the laptop keyboard keys are not working, then try to unplug the power cord. One user suggests that when they plug in the power cord on their Dell Laptop, a group of keys (F2, 2, W, S, X, Alt) stops working (they don’t respond).
But when they unplug the power cord, these keys start working again. So, unplugging the power cord might work for you.
8. Check for Malware or Viruses
Malware and viruses can affect your computer in many ways; one of them is limiting your keyboard functionality. It’s hard to get rid of malware or viruses yourself, but there is plenty of great software to help you clean up your computer.
Popular apps to handle malware and viruses:
Alternatively, you can use Windows Security, Microsoft’s native antivirus tool. It comes pre-installed on Windows machines and works very well.
9. Reseat Bad Connections
Sometimes, the keyboard on your laptop might not work because it’s not connected properly inside. If you know about computers, you can open the laptop and fix the cable under the keyboard. If unsure, you can find instructions on the laptop maker’s website or ask a professional to help you.
