laptop keyboard not working

Question

laptop keyboard not working

Katherine Bresnahan 0

laptop keyboard not working. just screen keyboard.

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3 answers

Your answer

Answer 1

Kapil Arya 38,526 Volunteer Moderator

Please run Keyboard troubleshooter from Settings app > Update & security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters. See if it helps you.

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Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome to the Microsoft Windows Community.

Good afternoon, @Katherine Bresnahan . To provide more accurate assistance, please let us know the make and model of your computer and follow the steps below to run some tests:

1. First, check if there is a keyboard lock key combination; usually, this involves pressing the Fn key plus a function key (look for a key with a keyboard icon).

2. If that doesn't work, open the On-Screen Keyboard and try typing. If it works properly, the issue might be a hardware defect in the physical keyboard; in that case, you will need to take the computer to a service center for an in-person inspection.

Answer 3

Try these checks in order:

Check basic hardware first
- If it is a USB keyboard, unplug it, wait a moment, and plug it back in.
- Try a different USB port.
- If a USB hub is being used, remove it and connect the keyboard directly.
- Check for cable damage, low battery, or dirt blocking keys.
- If possible, test the keyboard on another PC. If it does not work there either, the keyboard may need replacement.
Check Windows keyboard settings
- In Windows 10: go to Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard.
- Make sure Sticky Keys, Filter Keys, and similar keyboard options are turned off if they were enabled unintentionally.
Check language/input settings
- Go to Start > Settings > Time & language > Region & language.
- Make sure the keyboard input language matches the display language being used.
Reinstall the keyboard driver
- Open Device Manager.
- Expand Keyboards.
- If a keyboard device shows a warning sign, uninstall it.
- If the device is disabled, enable it.
- If needed, uninstall the keyboard devices and restart Windows so the drivers reinstall automatically.
If using a Surface Pro Keyboard or Type Cover
- Re-attach the keyboard so all magnets touch the bottom edge of the Surface.
- Press Caps and Fn a few times and check whether the LED lights turn on and off.
- If the LEDs do not turn on, that points to a hardware issue and a service order is recommended.
Test outside Windows on Surface devices
- Turn off the Surface and wait 10 seconds.
- Press and hold Volume Up, then press and release Power.
- Keep holding Volume Up until the UEFI screen appears.
- Try the arrow keys there.
- If the keyboard works in UEFI but not in Windows, the issue is likely software.
If the keyboard works in UEFI but not in Windows on Surface
- Use Reset this PC > Keep my files > Cloud download to reinstall Windows while keeping personal files.
- This removes settings changes and apps/drivers that were installed later.
If only some keys fail or repeat
- Remove dust or debris with compressed air or gently vacuum the top of the keyboard using a dusting brush.

If this is a built-in laptop keyboard and it still does not work after driver reinstall and settings checks, the next likely causes are a hardware fault or a device-specific driver problem from the laptop manufacturer.