7 Best Ways to Fix Keyboard Keys Not Working

If your keyboard keys are not working, it’s time to take a look at this. I have a step by step guide on how to fix broken keyboard keys on your laptop.

The keyboard does not work due to a mechanical problem. In this case, replacing the keyboard is the only option. However, sometimes one or more keys on your computer or laptop keyboard stop working.

Keyboard keys that don’t work can be a problem, especially if a laptop is a necessary part of your workplace.

This can be fixed with a simple tactic. Keep reading the article to learn about them.

Why are my keyboard keys not working in Windows 10?

There are many possibilities that can lead to problems when keyboard keys do not work. Hardware, software, or connection issues can prevent an external keyboard from working with Windows 10.

The most common reasons for keyboard keys not working include:

• Physical damage to keyboard keys due to pressure or dirt.
• Wireless keyboard battery is low.
• The keyboard was inserted into the wrong USB port.
• Incorrectly configured power settings.
• Outdated drivers.
• Windows 10 filter key error.
• Updates are not installed on Windows 10.

How to fix keyboard keys that stop working?

1. Clean your keyboard
2. Restart your computer
3. Update your keyboard driver
4. Setting Keyboard Input Options
5. Run a malware scan
6. Replace keyboard
7. Enable On-Screen Keyboard

1. Clean your keyboard

Cleaning the keyboard can remove debris stuck under the keys. Fixing broken keyboard keys by cleaning your keyboard is the easiest way to free up stuck keys that are preventing them from working. Follow the steps below to clean your keyboard.

• Turn off the device and turn it over. Tap the base gently to avoid damaging the device.
• Remove debris or dirt by running your finger across the keys. Clear the space when you’re done.

• Use a can of compressed air or keyboard cleaning putty to remove pressurized dirt.
• If a key is stuck due to spilled liquid, remove the key from the keyboard and wipe the liquid from the key switch.

• Take a flathead screwdriver, place it under the corner of the key and carefully pry it up until it pops out.
• Apply some soapy water and rub alcohol on a rag or cotton swab to remove any remaining dust.

When cleaning the keys, be careful not to damage the keyboard’s internal circuitry. Otherwise, you will need a replacement instead of a repair.

2. Restart your computer

Restarting your PC can fix glitches that cause keys to not work properly. It fixes errors and resets programs that may be interfering with the keyboard. Follow the steps below to restart your computer.

• Close all applications running on the computer.
• Go to the start menu.
• Click on the power button.
• Select reboot from the menu and wait for the device to reboot.
• Check if the keys work properly.

3. Update your keyboard driver

An outdated driver may cause keyboard keys to not work. Sometimes a driver may malfunction if you are using third party software on your device or disable it without issuing the correct shutdown command. Reinstalling the driver can help you recover broken keys.

• Click on start window
• Click on the search bar
• Select Device Manager.
• Click on the keyboard to expand the list.
• Right-click HID Keyboard/Standard Keyboard and select Update Driver.
• Restart your computer.

• The updated driver will be automatically installed on your device.
• Check if the keys work or not.
• You can also install the latest drivers from the manufacturer’s website according to the device model.

4. Customize Keyboard Input Options

Keyboard keys have software settings that may prevent them from working properly. You can fix this by changing your input settings for Sticky Keys, Filter Keys, or Snooze Delay settings.

When a keyboard key is pressed, two characters then perform this fix:

• Click on the start menu.
• Select control panel.
• Click on the keyboard in the control panel search bar
• On the Cursor Blink Rate tab, adjust the repeat delay settings and try typing a character.

If there is a delay between pressing a key and the appearance of a character on the computer screen, adjust the filter keys.

• Go to the control panel and click “Change the way the keyboard works”.
• Uncheck the Filter Keys box and click OK.
• Uncheck “Turn on Sticky Keys”in the same menu.
• Click OK.

5. Run a malware scan

Although it sounds crazy, running a malware scan can help you fix your keyboard because sometimes a virus can interfere with the normal operation of the keyboard keys. To run a malware scan:

• Open the antivirus software installed on your computer or laptop.
• Find a quick scan and click on it.
• After the scan is complete, delete the infected files.
• Check if the keys work or not.

6. Replace the keyboard

If all of the above fixes for broken keyboard keys do not work, then the keyboard is physically damaged and cannot be fixed without the help of a professional. Perhaps one or two keys on the keyboard can be replaced.

However, in most cases, the entire keyboard needs to be replaced. If you are using a wireless keyboard, you can get a new one. On devices such as computers, you can replace the external keyboard.

If your laptop keyboard keys are not working properly, you can ask for a replacement.

Sometimes laptop keyboard replacement seems too expensive, you can connect an external USB keyboard or wireless keyboard to your laptop to work.

7. Turn on the on-screen keyboard.

If your external keyboard isn’t working, you can use the on-screen keyboard in Windows 10 to enter text. To enable the on-screen keyboard, follow these simple steps.

• Click on the start menu.
• Go to settings.
• Click on ease of access.
• In the interaction section, press on the keyboard.
• If you are using a device without a physical keyboard, turn on the switch to use the on-screen keyboard.
• To avoid repeating all these steps again, pin the keyboard to the taskbar to launch it with one click.

How to fix function keys not working?

If your laptop’s function keys are not working, the problem might be that you have Function Lock or F-Lock enabled.

The F lock is used to disable the F1 to F12 keys and their additional functions. Turn off F-lock and the keys will start working again.

How to fix the problem with the number keys not working?

If the number keys on the keyboard do not work, then:

• Check if your number block or number block is enabled.
• N-lock does not allow you to enter numbers when using the keyboard. So, turn off the digital lock to type numbers from the keyboard.

• LED indicators on the keyboard keys signal whether the digital lock is on or off.
• If the LED flashes white, it means that the number lock is enabled and you cannot enter numbers using the number keys.

Conclusion

You may experience that the keyboard keys do not work due to software and hardware problems. The most noticeable equipment problem is the accumulation of dirt or debris, which can be solved by disassembly.

A broken keyboard can cause the keys to not work, but this can be fixed with a replacement.

Software issues may be due to outdated drivers or incorrect input settings that may cause keyboard keys to not work.

You can connect an external keyboard or enable an on-screen keyboard for ease of access or if you don’t want to replace your laptop keyboard.