How to Fix Keyboard Keys not Working Issue in Computer or Laptop ?

When you are working with your laptop and as of a sudden your keyboard keys stop working. Are you worried that you should replace the keyboard or use another keyboard through external mode (if you are using laptop connected keyboard) via USB? Before going to replace the keyboard you should try the solutions in this article, which will help you to fix the keyboard keys not working problem. This will take some of your time and will save the cost of buying a new keyboard. So, before diving into the solutions let us see the reasons behind this error. Keep reading!

Why are the Keyboard keys not working?

You are working on your laptop or computer and all of a sudden, the “I” key stops working or maybe a whole section of keys is taking too long to respond. Worse yet, the keyboard cuts out entirely. While this can be a hassle, particularly when you have work due and a lot of work pressure, there are a few things you can try yourself to get back to the job immediately. Sometimes advice on the internet can really help, especially if you are a student and you use Matlab assignment helper. Before going to the solutions let’s see the reasons behind this error.

Low Battery

Sometimes a low battery can affect the functionality of the laptop keyboard under circumstances like wireless desktop keyboards. If you are running an application even after a pop–up of low – battery warning the keyboard may become unresponsive. To fix this type of problem, connect your laptop to a power plug or use the USB-wired keyboard or use a laptop-attached keyboard. For wireless keyboards, during low–battery alerts this solution will help you to fix the issue.

Dirty Keyboard

A dirty keyboard is nothing but dust, dirt, hair, and other debris contents present under the key that may obstruct the key’s movement. It also interferes with its circularity. Try to remove the key that isn’t working with the help of instructions provided online. After taking off the key carefully clean the entire bust with a neat cloth and fix the key. Hope this will help to work keyboard keys normally if the problem is due to the dust.

In Certain Programs

Some of the keys may not work in some of the programs of software you are using. Check whether the keys are working other than those programs. If they are working other than those programs, your keyboard is working perfectly and you may not worry about it. Mainly function keys will not work in certain programs. Check the functionality of the keys in programs like Notepad, word processor, and Internet browser. If they are working fine in any of them there is no problem with your keyboard.

Firmware Issues

Firmware and low–level hardware problems will interfere with the keyboard functionality. In some cases, this causes faulty keyboard PRAM settings. In some of the instances, USB ports stop working resulting in SMC settings. You have to reset PRAM and SMC settings to fix the issue. If you are using a USB port keyboard try with other USB ports, if the whole keyboard stops working.

Not only firmware settings, ensure that your keyboard has the latest firmware installed in your system. These will be available with your system software updates. If the problem is regarding updates to the keyboard, this can be fixed by installing the updates. Still, the problem persists. Then give it a try for the other solutions.

Program or Driver Interface

In case you are using a Windows operating system, you can check your keys’ functionality in safe mode. Why in safe mode? Because in safe mode no extra programs will run and you can understand the problem. It will be clear that your device drivers or some other programs recently installed are causing the problem. If your keyboard is working fine in safe mode, consequently the problem is with one of your recently installed programs or drivers causing the problem.

 

How to Fix Keyboard Keys Not Working Error?

Are you worried that you should replace the keyboard or use another keyboard through external mode (if you are using laptop connected keyboard) via USB? Before going to replace the keyboard you should try the solutions in this article, which will help you to fix the keyboard keys not working problem. Keep reading……

Restart your Computer

In some of the cases, the problem is temporary with your computer that leads to keyboard keys not working issue. Hence, the problem persists just for the time being. Eventually, if the problem is related to the temporary system problem it will be fixed on restarting.

Shut down your system, unplug the power, and remove the battery. Leave the laptop for a couple of minutes and insert the battery. Plug-in power plug and switch on your system. If the problem is related to a temporary issue hope the issue will fix.

Press Keys Diagonally

You can also try this simple step of typing keys diagonally on all the sides and edges of the key and hold it for some time. Later release the key and check whether the issue is fixed. Sometimes this simple trick will help to fix the issue and make the keys work normally.

Function Keys not Working

If the function keys on your keyboard are not working, the problem will be with the function lock or F–-lock. For some of the keyboards, there is a function lock key that locks the function keys from F1 to F12. It may have accidentally pressed and you may not be aware of it. Just press the function lock or F–lock key which helps you to fix the problem.

Below is the image of different keyboards which show the function of lock key.

Number Pad is not Working

If the number pad keys are not working or working oddly, the problem is with the key lock. Considering the above situation the problem is with the number padlock key. You have to press the number pad key and check whether the light for the Num Lock is off. Otherwise you can check by typing the keys in word pad or in your browser whether the problem is fixed or not.

Keyboard Connection issue

If the keyboard is not plugged securely then it won’t work properly. Although it is the simplest solution we often miss it. It will be wise if you disconnect and then again put it in the same port. If you are using a USB keyboard then you might need a different port of USB to counter the problem.

Check the power switch of the wireless keyboard

There is a power switch provided is every wireless keyboard. It helps to conserve power when the device is not in use. Make sure that the switch is turned on when you are going to use this.

Replace PS/2 Keyboard

If you are using a PS/2 keyboard and it is not working properly then it might have failed and replacement is needed. In the case of PS/2 failure, the whole motherboard is needed to be changed. It will be good if you try a different USB keyboard if the facility is provided.

Avoid Using a USB hub

Instead of connecting your USB device to the USB hub, it will be better if you connect that directly to the back of your desktop. Sometimes the USB hub might be defective and that’s why this process becomes very important.

Check your Device in Safe Mode

• Go to the start button or Windows icon on your desktop and type msconfig in the search box.
• Open the First icon in the list as shown in the figure.

• A pop–up window opens and go to the boot category from the menu as shown in the figure.
• Under the boot category select Safe Boot.
• Now click apply and later click on the OK button.

• Here you will get a pop–up window, select the restart button.

• Your system will restart now and open in Safe Mode.
• Check the keys working in the notepad or word pad.
• After checking the keys in order to turn off Safe Mode, go to msconfig from the Windows start button.

• Go to the boot category and deselect the Safe Mode option.
• Press on the apply button and click on the OK button.

• As a result, a pop–up window opens to restart your system.
• Click on the restart so that your system starts normally.

Use Keyboard Driver

For some of the reasons the keyboard driver goes wrong, to fix these types of issues you need to uninstall and reinstall keyboard drivers. Follow the below steps to uninstall keyboard drivers but you need to have the keyboard drivers ready to reinstall it.

• Click on the Start button and go to Control Panel.

• Further select hardware and sound options.

• On the next window, under devices and printers select Device Manager.

• You have another option to type device manager in the Windows start menu. Click on the device manager from the list. Both will take you to the same window.

• if you don’t find the keyboard driver inside the Device Manager window, go to Menu and click on View, and from the list, select Show hidden devices.
• As a result, you can see keyboard drivers, click on it.

• You will find the driver under the keyboard, right-click on it, and from the list of options select uninstall.

• Now Restart your computer and Reinstall the drivers.
• Again perform a restart to your computer.
• The keyboard should work perfectly without any issues. If not then the issue is with some other problem. Try other solutions to fix the issue.

Re-mapping to fix Keyboard keys not working error

It only works for some of the keys, if the whole keyboard goes wrong and not working. This solution will not help you out, so try solutions. But if the problem is with some of the keys then this solution will definitely help you out. You do need not buy a new keyboard, it saves you money and saves your time.

Sharp keys are one of the software that will do the mapping to your keys. The below images and procedure will help you in how to use it.

• Download sharp keys by searching in your browser.

• If the folder is a zip file, initially extract the files to your convenient location or to the same folder.
• Here, click on the extracted .exe file of sharp keys.

• You will get a pop–up window to give permission as it is from an unknown publisher. Click on the YES button if you are OK with giving permissions to an unknown publisher else click the no button.

• If you click the YES button a new window opens as shown in the figure.

• Click on the ADD button to re–map your keys.

• On the next window, you can see map this key, to this key options. Just choose the key you want to replace from the left panel and choose the problematic key from the right panel. If you have any problem in searching a key type the key for the left panel and choose the key from the right panel which to replace. Finally, click on the OK button to add the key successfully. As a result, your remapping of the key is done which will be displayed on the screen.

• As long as you don’t click on write to the registry the key remap will not save. Click on write to the registry to save changes to your system keyboard.

• Restart your system to apply the necessary changes.

NOTE: This solution will definitely work for some of the keys to remap. But you have to take risk as the Sharp Keys software is from an unknown publisher and some of the websites will contain malware or virus software. Be aware of it.

Adjust the Keyboard Settings

Some settings of the software can damage the performance of the keyboard although they are meant to be beneficial. For instance, if the repeat delay is too short then two or more than two characters will be typed.

• If you want to change your keyboard settings then open the Start menu then go to the Control Panel.

• Now search for Keyboard in the top-right corner search bar and then click on the Keyboard from the search result.

• Change the key settings if you notice any delay between pressing a key and appearance of it on the screen.

• Now, come back to the Control Panel and search for Ease for Access. And then click on the Change how your keyboard works.

• The next window will be opened with some options to make the keyboard easier to use. You can do some experiment here, by activating or deactivating the functions.

Change Layout & Language

Sometimes you will notice that your keyboard is working properly but it shows different characters than what you type. Generally, it happens when the language or layout is changed unintentionally.

• In order to change the settings, go to the Start menu and then search Language. And then choose the same from the given result.

• In the next window, if the default language is fine for you then it’s ok. Else, just click on the Add a Language.

• Now scroll down and choose for your preferred language. And probably English is the most used language on the keyboard. So, click on it and then hit the Open button.

• Now click on the English (United Kingdom) or another preferred one followed by the Add key.

Conclusion

Hopefully, this article helped you to fix the keyboard keys not working issue. Write to us in the comment section that which solution worked for you. Wanna some more DeviceTricks? Stay tuned to this space to get latest updates on the errors related to Windows, Mac and Android.

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