Laptop Keyboard Keys not Working? Here’s How to Fix it

Do you see random characters despite tapping the right keys on the laptop keyboard? A combination of hardware and software issues could cause your keyboard to work unpredictably or not at all. So, if you are wondering how to fix laptop keyboard keys not working, we’re here to help!

Whether it is a Windows laptop or an Apple MacBook, if your keyboard is working erratically or stopped working completely, here are a few hacks you can try before taking it to a repair shop.

How to fix laptop keyboard keys not working?

• Restart your laptop

In general, whenever you face issues with your laptop, you should try to restart it. Restarting your laptop will help clean out the computer’s memory and restart all your drivers, programs, and utilities. This sort of refreshes your laptop and helps it work to full operation.

• Check for any hardware issues

If restarting your laptop hasn’t helped you much, you could check if the problem is in the keyboard’s hardware or your laptop’s software. The best way to check is to see if it work in pre-boot environment. If the keyboard works well before Windows starts, you can look for software solutions. Otherwise, we recommend you get the laptop repaired by an expert.

1. Tap on Start and then go to Settings.
2. In the search box, type in “Recovery” and then choose Recovery options from the results.
3. Under Advanced Startup, select Restart Now.
4. Once your computer restarts, under the ‘choose an option screen’, select troubleshoot.
5. Next, choose Advanced options.
6. Next, choose Command Prompt.
7. Once the command prompt opens, test your keyboard.

For Mac users, we recommend you keep troubleshooting as there is no pre-boot environment.

• Clean your keyboard

Not all keyboard problems may seem like a serious hardware error. Sometimes your keyboard may not be working properly due to some dirt and debris under the keys.

To make sure that it is simply a matter of dirt under the keys, you can use a small brush or microfibre cloth to clean the keys and extract any debris that might have come under or between the keycaps.

Additionally, you could dab a cloth with rubbing alcohol and wipe away any dried liquids or stuck-on dirt gently. For more thorough cleaning, you can blast a can of compressed air into the gaps between keys.

• Check the keyboard drivers and settings

If your keyboard issues are due to any software issues, you can try updating your keyboard driver.

For Windows Laptop;

1. In the search box, type “Device Manager” and click on it when it appears in the search results.
2. Next, click on the arrow on the left on the keyboard to expand the section
3. In the device list, right-click on your keyboard and choose “Uninstall Device”

1. Make sure to restart your laptop. Windows will identify the keyboard and install the latest driver automatically

For MacBook;

1. Click on the Apple logo you see at the top left of the screen and select “System Preferences”
2. Tap on Accessibility
3. Scroll down under the navigation pane on the left and click keyboard
4. If the “Enable Slow Keys” is enabled, disable it.

• Get the right keyboard layout

Even though you are tapping the right keys, you get different characters or wrong characters, which may mean that your keyboard layout might have changed accidentally. Check the layout and fix it.

For Windows;

1. Click on Start and then on Settings.
2. Under Settings, click Time and Language.
3. Choose Language from the left of the pane,
4. Under the Preferred Languages tab, ensure you select the correct language. For example, English (United States). If a language is not selected, click on Add a language and include it.
5. Next, tap the preferred language and then on Options.
6. Ensure the keyboard matches the type of your keyboard. For example, US-QWERTY

For Mac;

1. Go to the menu bar on the top of the screen and then click on System Preferences.
2. Tap on Keyboard.
3. Under Tabs, choose Input Sources.
4. Ensure that the correct keyboard type is show
5. On the left of the pane, ensure the correct keyboard is shown. If not, click the checkbox for Show Input Menu under the menu bar and then click on the plus sign and select a language.

• Use an external keyboard

Despite trying all the above-mentioned hacks, if your keyboard refuses to budge, you can try plugging in an external keyboard. In most cases, regardless of whether your built-in keyboard is facing hardware or software issues, an external keyboard will work. You can consider using this external keyboard till you get your laptop serviced.

So, that’s how to fix laptop keyboard keys if not working. Do let us know your experience in the comment section below.