How To – How Do I Fix The Keyboard On My Laptop?
Did the keyboard on your laptop quit working? These recommendations may assist you in identifying the issue, finding a solution, and returning to your previously planned typing.
A broken keyboard is nothing to laugh at. Because of this, Apple has agreed to pay $395 to end a class-action lawsuit over its defective butterfly keyboards. However, the issue isn’t often that broad, so if anything goes wrong, you’re frequently on your own.
One key on your laptop might cease functioning when you’re using it to do work. Or maybe a full row of keys is taking a very long time to reply. Even worse, the keyboard completely malfunctions. There are a few things you may do before you ask for assistance, even though this can be a major nuisance.
Restart Your Computer
Have you tried restarting your computer? Rebooting your computer may repair a thousand problems before you try any impromptu remedies. Simply hold down the power button for 10 to 15 seconds to turn off the computer and then turn it back on if you are unable to reboot the computer using the trackpad or mouse.
If that doesn’t work, try starting in Safe Mode and see if it helps. It won’t permanently repair the issue, but it will allow you to identify whether the keyboard is broken or not.
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Specify The Problem
Focus on defining your issue. Is there a problem with the keyboard hardware itself, or is Windows not able to recognise key presses because of a bug in the software? You can save a lot of time later on by figuring this out.
Try restarting your machine and entering the UEFI or BIOS. Normally, you have to hit a key during the booting process, such as Delete, Esc, or another. You should be instructed by the computer which key to tap at the bottom of the screen.
There’s a strong probability you have a hardware issue if you can’t access the BIOS or navigate it using your keyboard. If you can access the BIOS and the problematic key(s) function normally there, the issue is with Windows.
Without saving your modifications, exit the BIOS and go to some of the remedies listed below. In order to debug, you may need to connect a USB keyboard.
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Update The Keyboard Driver
Occasionally, the driver controlling your keyboard may have issues, especially if you often instal third-party applications and/or switch your computer off without using the Shut Down command. Type “Device Manager” into the Start menu to launch it. Expand the Keyboards area by opening the Device Manager item in the Control Panel.
An issue may be present if any of the items in this section have a yellow exclamation mark next to them. However, even if you don’t see an exclamation mark, we advise selecting Uninstall Driver when you right-click your keyboard in this menu. If you restart your computer, Windows should automatically download the generic drivers for your keyboard, which could make it function properly once again.
If it doesn’t work, or if the Keyboard icon isn’t even displayed in Device Manager, go to the support page for the laptop manufacturer and instal the most recent keyboard drivers. Try reinstalling the chipset and/or USB drivers if there isn’t a keyboard driver. In this article, you can find out more about downloading and upgrading drivers.
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Modify The Keyboard’s Settings
Even if they were meant to be helpful, many software settings might make your keyboard act strangely. For instance, if the Repeat Delay option on your keyboard is set too quickly, pushing a key may type two or more letters.
Open the Start menu, type “Control Panel,” and then look for “Keyboard” in the upper-right corner of the Control Panel window to access your keyboard’s settings.
On the other side, you may wish to change the Filter Keys option if you experience a delay between hitting a key and a character showing on the screen. Find “Ease of Access Keyboard” in the Start menu and go to that option.
Toggle Use Filter Keys off to check whether it makes a difference if it is selected. Similarly, check sure Use Sticky Keys is off in this option if your keyboard is acting weirdly.
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Modify The Layout Of Your Keyboard
It’s conceivable that your language or keyboard layout was changed accidently if your keyboard keys function but output different letters than the keys suggest (or someone in your house pulled a decades-old prank).
The Language settings panel for Windows may be found by opening the Start menu and typing “Language.” Go down to your list of languages after clicking it. The English (United States) option will be selected for the majority of US customers. Then click the Options button.
On the next screen, check that US QWERTY is listed under Keyboards and eliminate any keyboard layouts you don’t use.
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Be Popular
If none of the aforementioned fixes resolves the issue, your keyboard can be infected with a virus. Use one of our top recommendations for antivirus software to run a malware check.
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Examine For Crumbs
All of the aforementioned fixes are software-based; however, if you followed our first recommendations and believe your issue is hardware-related, you’ll need to get your hands dirty…in a literal sense. Your keyboard may need to be cleaned.
Give your keyboard (or laptop) a thorough shake while holding it upside down, or at the very least at a 45 to 75-degree angle from horizontal. Crumbs from your previous snack break or working lunch may sometimes get lodged beneath the keys. Even while it may not work on a fresh laptop, this is more of a concern for older models.
Give your keyboard’s crevices a quick cleaning if you have a keyboard vacuum or a can of compressed air. If a spilt drink causes one or two keys to get stuck, remove the offending key cap from the keyboard (if feasible), and then work to remove any remaining dried liquid from the key switch.
To remove the sticky buildup, dab some rubbing alcohol or soapy water onto a cloth rather than the keyboard. You might also use a cotton swab in this situation, but be cautious and only dismantle the key switch if you are confident in your abilities.
Your best option may be to have the keyboard assembly replaced if a significant portion of the keyboard is stuck as a result of liquid damage, such as a spilt cup of soda or coffee.
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Remove The Battery, Step 8 (If You Can)
The battery in a laptop, which is located beneath the keyboard, sometimes has issues. If your laptop has a detachable battery, turn it off, take the battery out, and then connect the power cord. Try to start the laptop with just AC power and without the battery attached.
You could need a new battery if the keyboard only functions with the battery out. (Please note that we do not advise using third-party laptop batteries due to safety concerns; instead, get an official battery from the laptop’s manufacturer.)
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Replacing Faulty Connections
Sometimes the keyboard’s electrical connection to the laptop’s motherboard breaks, leaving you with a keyboard that sometimes works or doesn’t operate at all. If you’re an IT expert, taking off the outer shell and reattaching the ribbon wire at the keyboard’s base should be simple work.
If not, go online for instructions on how to take apart your laptop so you may rejoin that ribbon wire. Bring your laptop to a service centre so an expert may examine it if you don’t feel comfortable taking it apart.
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Broken Keyboard
Try calling the tech support number for your laptop’s manufacturer if you’re still covered by your warranty. If it turns out you’re using a faulty keyboard, you ought to have no trouble getting a new one installed at a repair centre.
However, it’s always good to back up your hard drive or completely remove it and keep it before you send your laptop in or give it to a repair technician. Your data, which is the most vital component of your laptop, will remain intact in this manner.
You don’t have to throw away your laptop if you know why the keyboard quit functioning. Most problems should be resolved by the modifications we provided above, but if you still have trouble, try using a USB keyboard until you have time to have your laptop examined by a technician.
