Why is My Keyboard Not Working? Troubleshooting Tips to Fix It
Check for Physical Damage
One of the first things you should do when your keyboard is not working is to check for any physical damage. This can include things like spilled liquids or debris that may have gotten stuck between the keys. If you notice any visible damage, try cleaning the affected area with a dry cloth or compressed air to remove any debris or residue.
If the damage is more severe, you may need to replace the keyboard entirely. However, before you do so, it is important to try the other troubleshooting tips to rule out any software-related issues that may be causing the problem.
Restart Your Computer
Another common solution for when your keyboard is not working is to simply restart your computer. This can help to reset any software settings or configurations that may be causing the problem.
To restart your computer, click on the “Start” button, then click on “Power,” and select “Restart.” Alternatively, you can press and hold the power button on your computer until it turns off, then press it again to turn it back on.
Once your computer has restarted, check to see if your keyboard is working properly. If not, move on to the next troubleshooting tip.
Update Your Keyboard Driver
If restarting your computer did not solve the problem, it may be time to update your keyboard driver. A driver is software that allows your computer to communicate with your keyboard, and outdated or corrupt drivers can cause issues with your keyboard’s functionality.
To update your keyboard driver, open the Device Manager by right-clicking on the “Start” button and selecting “Device Manager” from the menu. In the Device Manager, locate your keyboard under the “Keyboards” category, right-click on it, and select “Update driver.”
From there, you can choose to automatically search for updated drivers online, or you can browse your computer for a driver that you have already downloaded. Once the driver is installed, restart your computer and check to see if your keyboard is working properly.
Check for Software Conflicts
Sometimes, software conflicts can cause issues with your keyboard’s functionality. This can happen when two programs or processes are trying to access your keyboard at the same time, or when a program is using too much system resources and causing other programs to malfunction.
To check for software conflicts, try closing any programs or processes that may be using your keyboard, such as games or other applications that require keyboard input. You can also use the Task Manager to see which programs are currently running and using system resources.
If you suspect that a specific program or process is causing the issue, try uninstalling or disabling it temporarily to see if that resolves the problem. If none of these steps work, you may need to seek help from a professional technician to diagnose and fix the issue.
Use an External Keyboard
If none of the previous troubleshooting tips have worked, you can try using an external keyboard as a temporary solution. This can be a USB keyboard or a wireless keyboard that connects to your computer via Bluetooth.
To use an external keyboard, simply connect it to your computer and check to see if it is working properly. If the external keyboard works, it may indicate that the issue is with your computer’s internal keyboard and not a software-related issue.
While using an external keyboard may not be a permanent solution, it can help you continue to use your computer until you can get your internal keyboard fixed or replaced.
