How to fix a malfunctioning keyboard easily?

The keyboard is an integral part of a computer and serves as the primary mode of input. So, when your keyboard suddenly stops functioning, your computer becomes practically unusable, and you won’t be able to perform basic tasks, such as logging in to your desktop. Some of the issues you can expect to encounter include unresponsive keys, backlight failing to work, the keyboard not being detected, the keyboard displaying wrong commands or keyboard shortcuts, and so on.

Your keyboard may refuse to function correctly due to mechanical failure, debris under the keys, a faulty USB cable, misconfigured settings, or driver issues. Today’s Windows 10 tutorial describes how to get a keyboard working on Windows 10.

How to fix malfunctioning keys on a keyboard

It’s advisable to keep a spare keyboard around as a backup in case yours gets broken or damaged. Before you undertake random fixes and reconfigure your system settings, here are some basic troubleshooting steps to help you narrow down the source of the problem.

Step 1: Remove dust or dirt

When some of the keys become unresponsive, it’s most likely due to dirt trapped beneath the keys. A simple fix for this would be to turn the keyboard upside down to try to remove the dirt. You could also try using compressed air to force the debris out. Blow the air under all the keys, and you should be able to use your keyboard again.

Step 2: Check the connection

Check if your cable is faulty. Disconnect the USB cable from the PC and reconnect it again, making sure that it’s properly plugged in. You could also use a different USB port to rule out if one of your ports isn’t working.

If it doesn’t work, connect the keyboard to a different computer to check if it works. If the keyboard doesn’t function, then it could be defective.

Step 3: Reboot your computer

A simple restart of your system could get things back to normal. A system reboot automatically corrects dozens of common PC problems.

Your keyboard still won’t work? Try one of the fixes below.

Fix 1: Update your drivers

The most common reason that may cause a device to stop functioning is outdated, incompatible or corrupt drivers. If you’re using Windows 10, then Windows updates should automatically update your drivers. You can update the drivers manually using the steps below:

1. Right-click “Start” and open “Device Manager”.
2. Find “Keyboards” and expand it.
3. Right-click on the installed keyboard and select “Update driver”.
4. Select “Search automatically for updated driver software”.

Windows will search online for updated drivers and automatically install them on your computer. If Windows doesn’t find any updates, you’ll see a link that says “Search for updated drivers on Windows Update”. If you click that link, you’ll be taken to Windows Update in the “Settings” app, where you can check if there are any available updates.

However, Windows may not always deliver the required updates, and you will have to use third-party software to update your device drivers. We recommend using Auslogics Driver Updater. The tool scans your system to detect all of the available drivers and gives you a detailed report of all the outdated and missing drivers.

You can then decide whether to update each driver individually or simply choose to automatically update all of the available device drivers with a single click of a button. The process is swift, and Auslogics Driver Updater ensures that only the latest official driver versions from the manufacturers’ websites are installed. This way, you don’t have to worry about running into incompatibility issues.

Fix 2: Reinstall your keyboard

1. Press the Win + X shortcut and open “Device Manager”.
2. Click on the “Keyboards” option to expand it.
3. Select “Uninstall device”.
4. Reboot your PC. Windows automatically reinstalls the keyboard.

Fix 3: Run the keyboard troubleshooter

Troubleshooter helps you to fix a device that isn’t working as it should. To run the troubleshooter, follow these steps:

1. Open “Settings” using the Win + I keyboard shortcut.
2. Select “Update & Security”, and then go to the “Troubleshoot” section.
3. Locate “Keyboard” on the right pane, and click on it.
4. Click on the “Run the troubleshooter” button. Windows will detect problems affecting your keyboard and try to fix them for you.

Fix 4: Start Windows in Safe Mode

Starting Windows in Safe Mode stops background apps from running. If the keyboard starts to function, then it implies that one of the installed programs or device drivers is responsible for the keyboard not typing problem on Windows 10.

To enter Safe Mode in Windows 10, follow these steps:

1. Launch “Settings”, and then go to Update & Security > Recovery.
2. Find the “Advanced Startup” option on the right pane, and click on the “Restart now” button.
3. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings, and then click “Restart”.
4. Click on number 4 on your keyboard to select “Enable Safe Mode”.

Fix 5: Reconnect your wireless keyboard

If you’re using a wireless keyboard, try the following steps to see if it will work again:

1. Unplug the USB receiver from your PC and remove the batteries from the keyboard.
2. Click “Start”, select the “Power” button, and click “Shut down” to turn off the computer.
3. Plug in the USB receiver and switch on your PC. If you need to enter a password or PIN, use the “Ease of Access” option to activate the on-screen keyboard.
4. Insert the batteries into the keyboard and make sure you flip the power switch to turn on your keyboard.

Wait for the keyboard to pair with your Windows device and try to type to check if it’s working again.

Fix 6: Adjust keyboard settings

Certain settings, such as filter keys and sticky keys, when turned on, may cause the keyboard to act up. To resolve this issue, you need to turn off the filter keys and sticky keys. To do so, use the steps below:

1. Open “Control Panel”, which is accessible via the “Start” menu.
2. Open the “Ease of Access” link.
3. Select the “Change how your keyboard works” link.
4. If the “Turn on Sticky Keys” and “Turn on Filter Keys” options are checked, uncheck them and then click OK > Apply.

Fix 7: Replace your keyboard

If none of the solutions resolve malfunctioning keys on your keyboard and you don’t have a spare keyboard, it’s time to get a new one. You can easily buy a new keyboard at any computer shop.

We hope you find this guide on how to fix the keyboard not typing problem on Windows useful. For any questions, don’t hesitate to share your experiences by leaving your comments below.