As a primary input device, keyboard is one of the most basic hardware of your computer. Therefore, if your keyboard is not functioning, it can be difficult to perform even the basic tasks like signing into your Windows PC. In this article, we will explain how to fix keyboard issues in Windows computer.
Common Keyboard Issues
Some of the common keyboard issues, Windows users experience include:
- All keyboard keys are not working.
- Keyboard typing on its own.
- Double typing keyboard.
- Some keyboard keys not working.
Keyboard issues are diverse but luckily, you can easily fix most of them on your own. This guide will teach you how to troubleshoot and resolve some of the common keyboard problems in Windows.
Resolving Keyboard Problems in Windows PC
As a rule of thumb, if you experience any problem with Windows including keyboard issues, the first step should be restarting your computer. This can solve any temporary issues that could be causing the keyboard not to work.
Resolving Keyboard Hardware Problems
- Check Keyboard Connections – Ensure that the keyboard is firmly connected to the computer. If you are using a USB keyboard, try connecting the keyboard to a different USB port to rule out the port problem.
- Power On Wireless Keyboard – In case you are using a wireless keyboard, ensure that the batteries have power and securely in place as well as the keyboard is switched on.
- Test Your Keyboard – Test your keyboard on a different machine to see if it works or use a spare keyboard on your PC. If the spare keyboard works, then the problem is the hardware.
If none of these options resolves the issue, continue to the next troubleshooting options.
Troubleshooting Windows Related Keyboard Issues
Your keyboard may stop working due to software conflicts within Windows. In order to rule out this possibility, it is advisable to test the keyboard outside the Windows environment.
- Restart your computer and check the LED indicator for “Caps Lock”, “Num Lock” or “Scroll Lock”. You may try to switch on/off the light signals by pressing the keys.
- Also try to press the appropriate function key (F12, Esc, F12 and so on) to enter the CMOS setup.
- If the keyboard works before logging into Windows, try to start the PC in Safe Mode. If the keyboard works in Safe Mode, check whether you have installed any software recently and uninstall them.
Running Windows Keyboard Troubleshooter
The latest Windows version has a built-in tool for troubleshooting keyboard issues.
- Go to the Windows Start menu and click the Settings (gear) icon to open the settings app.
- Open the “Update & Security” settings and on the left sidebar, select “Troubleshoot”.
- On the right-side pane, look for “Keyboard” under the “Find and fix other problems”. Click the option and then the “Run the troubleshooter” button.
- Windows will automatically detect any keyboard issues and suggest some fixes if available.
- Follow the screen instructions to apply the suggested solutions.
Fixing Keyboard Driver Issues
Faulty or outdated keyboard driver can cause keyboard problems. You need to check and fix driver issues to resolve the problem. However, make sure to keep your original driver for backup. You can use this in case of any issue. Nowadays, many laptop sellers do not provide driver backups, in this case, check in internet to find and download the correct driver for your device.
Updating Keyboard Driver Software
- Right-click on Windows Start menu and select “Device Manager” option.
- Expand the “Keyboards” drives, right-click the driver and click “Update driver”.
- Windows will prompt you to select the update method. Here you can choose either:
- Automatic update – allows Windows to search for driver updates and install them automatically.
- Manual update – you can download driver updates from the manufacturer’s website and install them manually from your PC storage.
Uninstall and Reinstall Keyboard Driver Software
- Right-click the keyboard driver and select “Uninstall device”. This will remove the device from the device manager.
- To reinstall, go to the “Action” tab and choose the option to “Scan for hardware changes”.
Roll Back Driver to a Previous Version
Sometimes, Windows or driver updates can go wrong resulting in some hardware conflict. Fortunately, you can reverse the driver to a previous version that worked correctly.
- Double click the keyboard driver on the Device Manager to open the device properties.
- Switch to the “Driver” tab and click the “Roll Back Driver” button. This will restore the driver to a previous version.
Check the Keyboard Configurations
- Open the Windows Settings app and choose the “Ease of Access” settings.
- Scroll down the left pane to the “Interaction” section and click “Keyboard” to open the keyboard settings on the right pane.
- Ensure that the “Use Filters Keys” option is switched off. If on, click the switch to toggle off.
Replacing Your Keyboard
If the above fixes fail, your keyboard could be physically damaged and the only option would be to replace the hardware. With a few coins, you can get an ideal replacement keyboard.
Conclusion
The keyboard is the main input device on a computer so when your keyboard fails, you could totally be unable to use the machine. If your keyboard is not working, you may try the above options to resolve the problem and in case the keyboard is broken, you need to buy a new keyboard.
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