missing keyboard driver

Donat Poirier 0 Reputation points
2026-10-14T13:17:08.81+00:00

the driver was deleted, and i need to reinstall it, what drive would i install it to? i tried doing all the backups & system restore that doesn't work

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Devices and drivers
0 comments

2 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. DaveM121 939.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-10-14T13:53:31.8966667+00:00

    1

    Open Device Manager.

    Select any of the device groups.
    Then on the top menu, select Action - Scan for Hardware Changes' and wait to see if Windows can find and install the default keyboard drivers.

    2

    If not, open File Explorer.

    Then go to C:\Windows\System32\Drivers.

    In there, do you find the kbdclass.sys and kbdhid.sys driver files?

    If so, in Device Manager choose the option to install legacy hardware and navigate to try to install those two drivers to get your keyboard working.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments

  2. AI answer

    2026-10-14T13:17:39.9833333+00:00

    You do not install the keyboard driver to a particular drive; remove the keyboard device in Device Manager and restart Windows 11 so Windows automatically reinstalls its driver.

    Reinstall the keyboard driver

    Since backups and System Restore did not help, use the on-screen keyboard or a mouse to complete these steps:

    1. Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
    2. Expand Keyboards.
    3. Right-click each listed keyboard device and select Uninstall device.
    4. If offered Attempt to remove the driver for this device, select it, then choose Uninstall.
    5. Save any open work and restart the PC.

    After restart, Windows should detect the keyboard and reinstall the driver automatically—there is no destination drive or folder to choose.^1^

    If the keyboard is absent or still does not work

    1. Open Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates.
    2. Then open Windows Update → Advanced options → Optional updates.
    3. If Driver updates contains a keyboard, input, chipset, or device-manufacturer update, select Download and install.
    4. Restart Windows after installation.

    Windows 11 installs recommended drivers through Windows Update, while optional drivers must be selected manually.^2^

    If no applicable update appears, download the Windows 11 keyboard/input or chipset driver from the PC manufacturer’s official support page using the computer’s exact model number. Run the manufacturer’s installer; do not manually copy driver files to C: or another drive. Microsoft also recommends the manufacturer’s driver when Windows cannot locate an appropriate version.^3^

    For an external USB keyboard, also test it directly in another USB port without a hub. If it fails on another PC as well, the keyboard may need replacement.^3^

    References

    1. Keyboard on Laptop no working - Microsoft Q&A
    2. [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/hardware/drivers/automatically-get-recommended-and-updated-hardware-drivers#summary)
    3. Mouse and keyboard problems in Windows | Microsoft Support
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

    Was this answer helpful?

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.