Technology

Laptop Keyboard Not Typing: Troubleshooting Causes and Solutions

When your laptop keyboard stops working, you'll need to determine what's causing the problem. Then, troubleshoot the issue with solutions provided in this article. Otherwise, you may need to bring your laptop into a service center to have the keyboard replaced.

Administrator

3 May, 2024

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If you’re sitting in front of your laptop, trying to focus and finish an important task, but suddenly your keyboard isn’t responding as expected? This is quite a critical situation and causes a lot of inconvenience to users.

However, don’t worry! In this article, FPT Shop will provide you with possible causes that may lead to the laptop keyboard not typing issue, along with corresponding effective solutions to fix the situation.

Reasons why your laptop keyboard is not typing

When your laptop keyboard is not typing, this is a sign that a serious error is occurring. There are many causes that can lead to this situation and identifying the cause is a crucial step to finding a suitable solution.

One of the most common causes is software related. Sometimes, updates to the operating system or certain applications can cause conflicts, resulting in the keyboard losing its ability to respond. In addition, viruses or malware can also cause this problem. They can cause errors in the keyboard drivers, making it impossible for the system to receive commands normally.

Hardware issues are also a common cause. For example, the cable connecting the keyboard to the mainboard may be loose, causing the keyboard to not respond. In addition, internal keyboard components such as keys, circuit boards or sensors may also be faulty, leading to similar problems.

Another cause comes from the system settings. If you have problems connecting an external keyboard to your laptop, it may be due to incorrect configuration. Accidentally changing keyboard-related settings can also render it dysfunctional.

In general, finding out the exact cause of the laptop keyboard not typing issue is very important, as it will help you find an effective solution to fix it. Once you have determined the cause, you can apply the corresponding troubleshooting steps below to solve the problem.

Troubleshoot laptop keyboard not typing

If your laptop keyboard is no longer responding as expected, don’t worry. There are many effective solutions to fix this problem, and we’ll guide you through each specific step.

Method 1: Restart your computer

Restarting your laptop can resolve many conflicts and issues with hardware and software. If your laptop keyboard is not typing, try restarting your computer to reset the system’s hardware connections. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Save your work to avoid data loss.

Step 2: Shut down your laptop completely by going to the Start menu, clicking the power icon and selecting “Shut down“.

Step 3: Wait a few seconds, then you can turn your laptop back on by pressing the power button.

Sometimes, this method can refresh the system and restore the keyboard’s functionality. If restarting your computer doesn’t help, proceed to more specific troubleshooting steps.

Method 2: Update the keyboard driver

Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause your laptop keyboard to not type. In this situation, updating the keyboard driver can help you fix the problem. Here are the steps:

Step 1: First, press the Windows + X combination and select Device Manager.

Step 2: Find the Device Manager tab and expand the Keyboards category in it.

Step 3: Right-click on your keyboard and select Update driver.

Step 4: Select Search automatically for driver and follow the steps.

The keyboard driver on your laptop will then be updated. Once the update process is complete, try checking if the keyboard not typing issue has been resolved. Usually, this method will resolve any conflicts between your keyboard and your operating system.

Method 3: Reinstall the keyboard

If updating the driver still doesn’t solve the problem, you can try reinstalling the keyboard. Here are the steps:

Step 1: First, press the Windows + X combination and select Device Manager.

Step 2: Find the Device Manager tab and expand the Keyboards category in it.

Step 3: Right-click on your keyboard and select Uninstall device.

Step 4: Restart your laptop. Windows will attempt to reinstall the driver when it boots up.

In some cases, reinstalling the keyboard driver can fix issues with corrupted or incompatible drivers. So, try this solution when updating the driver doesn’t work.

Method 4: Try the keyboard shortcuts

Sometimes, certain keyboard shortcuts can disable or change the keyboard’s functionality. If you accidentally press those shortcuts, your laptop keyboard may also become unresponsive. In this situation, you can try the following keyboard shortcut combinations:

Windows + Ctrl + O: To toggle the on-screen keyboard.
Fn + F(1-12): Many laptop models use these keys to turn the keyboard on/off.

Experimenting with the appropriate keyboard shortcuts for your laptop model can help fix the keyboard not working issue. Each device will be designed with different keyboard shortcut combinations. So, try experimenting to see if the laptop keyboard not typing issue is resolved.

Method 5: Repair or replace the keyboard

If all the above solutions don’t work, your laptop keyboard may have a hardware problem. In this case, you should:

Clean the keyboard to remove dust and debris that may be blocking the keys.
If cleaning doesn’t help, you may consider taking your laptop to a professional technician to check if the keyboard needs to be repaired or replaced.
Typically, keyboards can be physically damaged and only professional repair or replacement can fix them. If so, you need to choose reputable warranty centers.

By following the solutions above, FPT Shop believes that you will be able to solve most of the problems related to the laptop keyboard. We wish you success.

Frequently asked questions

There could be several reasons why your laptop keyboard is not responding. It could be due to a hardware or software issue, or a problem with the keyboard settings. Some common causes include a locked keyboard, outdated or corrupt keyboard driver, or a loose connection. Try the following troubleshooting steps: check if the keyboard is locked, update or reinstall the keyboard driver, restart your laptop, or reset the keyboard settings.

Here are a few quick fixes: Ensure the keyboard is unlocked by checking the Num Lock or Fn Lock keys. Try connecting an external keyboard to check if it works. Update or reinstall the keyboard driver, and restart your laptop. If the issue persists, try resetting your laptop to factory settings.

Yes, hardware issues can cause the keyboard to stop working. It could be due to a loose connection, a damaged keyboard cable, or a faulty keyboard. If the keyboard is not responding at all, try reconnecting the keyboard cable to the motherboard. If that doesn’t work, you may need to replace the keyboard.

If your keyboard is typing the wrong characters, it could be due to an incorrect input language or keyboard layout. Go to your language and keyboard settings and ensure the correct input language and layout are selected. You can also try resetting the keyboard settings to default.

If your laptop keyboard types randomly or sticks, it could be due to physical debris or a liquid spill. Try cleaning the keyboard with a can of compressed air or a soft cloth. If the issue persists, you may need to replace the keyboard as the problem could be due to a faulty key mechanism.