Piano Guidance
Photo by Blue Bird Pexels Logo Photo: Blue Bird

How do you fix a key that won't work?

Fix Keyboard Keys Which Stop Working Quick checks. Clean up the keyboard. Restart your PC. Use a different keyboard. Check the region or language settings. Adjust keyboard input settings. Run a malware scan. Reinstall keyboard driver. More items... •

helpdeskgeek.com - How To Fix Windows Keyboard Keys Which Stop Working
Can you get fired for falling asleep at work?
Can you get fired for falling asleep at work?

Termination is not usually a fair punishment for sleeping on the job, as we talked about earlier, this could get your company in trouble. Instead,...

Read More »
Last updated Sep 24, 2021
Can pianists play the organ?
Can pianists play the organ?

Yes, you can play organ music on the piano quite easily. What makes it easier to do is that the piano has more octaves, and can capture all the...

Read More »
Last updated Jul 12, 2022

A keyboard without working keys may seem like a blow to productivity, but it’s possible to repair. If you’ve been working on your PC and suddenly some or no characters appear on your computer screen, we’re going to show you how to fix it. If you have a desktop PC, it’s easy to just swap the keyboard and use a different one. For laptops though, this isn’t possible, which makes it a big problem.

Table of Contents

It could be that your computer could use some simple hardware or software maintenance, or your keyboard settings are set to use the wrong language or region. Before you visit the repair shop, buy a new keyboard, or chuck your laptop altogether, try some of the quick fixes below. Also, be sure to check out our YouTube channel where we posted a short video going over some of the fixes in this article.

Note: The instructions below apply to a Windows PC.

Fix Keyboard Keys Which Stop Working

Quick checks

Clean up the keyboard

Restart your PC

Use a different keyboard

Check the region or language settings

Run a malware scan

Reinstall keyboard driver

Visit a service tech/Replace the keyboard

Quick Checks

If you’re using a Bluetooth keyboard, check that it’s powered on and that it’s connected.

Re-pair the keyboard with your computer (for wireless keyboards).

Try a different USB port (wired keyboard).

Check the keyboard’s battery level as it may cause performance problems.

If the keyboard keys still won’t work after carrying out these basic checks, try the solutions below.

Clean Up The Keyboard

It’s not easy to clean a standard keyboard, but it’s easier to do if you have a wireless or USB keyboard compared to a laptop keyboard. This may not necessarily fix any deep-seated issues with your keyboard keys, but it’ll help if debris and dirt are preventing the keyboard keys from working.

To clean up the laptop keyboard:

Shut down the device, turn it upside down and then tap gently on the base to avoid risking damage to the entire unit. Run your fingers across the keys to dislodge any debris or dirt that’s left and clean the table when you’re done. Pick up a compressed air can and give it a good blast, or keyboard cleaning putty to remove any dirt that’s stuck.

What instruments are in tiny dancer?
What instruments are in tiny dancer?

Personnel Elton John – acoustic piano, vocals. Caleb Quaye – electric guitar. B. J. Cole – pedal steel guitar. Davey Johnstone – acoustic guitar....

Read More »
Last updated Feb 16, 2021
What happens if you take a bath in rubbing alcohol?
What happens if you take a bath in rubbing alcohol?

People should avoid adding rubbing alcohol to their bathwater. Prolonged exposure to rubbing alcohol can cause the skin to absorb the alcohol,...

Read More »
Last updated Jul 30, 2019

If the keys are stuck because of liquid spills, pop off the key from the keyboard and try to clean the dried liquid off the key switch as much as you can. To remove a key without breaking it, place the tip of your finger or a flathead screwdriver under a corner of the key and pry it up gently until it pops off. You can dab some soapy water or rubbing alcohol on a rag or cotton swab to clean away any residue.

Restart Your PC

A reboot helps refresh the system and correct any software glitches that could cause your keyboard keys not to work.

Use a Different Keyboard

Try connecting a different USB or wireless keyboard, or use the Windows on-screen keyboard and see if it helps. If it does, then your current keyboard could be defective.

Check The Region Or Language Settings

When your keyboard’s language or layout settings are wrong, you may see different letters on your screen than what’s indicated on the keyboard. This happens based on the different characters used in different regions, so the keyboard layouts aren’t the same everywhere.

To correct this, change the region or language settings using these steps:

Click Start>Settings>Time & Language.

Click Region to select your current region.

Go to the Languages section and select the new language for your keyboard, and then try typing a few characters again to see if it works. You can also change your keyboard options by going back to Language, click on the current keyboard language, and then click Options to select the keyboard type. For instance, US users will have English (United States) as their keyboard language, and the US QWERTY keyboard layout option. Your keyboard keys have certain software settings that may cause erratic behavior, even if they’re meant to be helpful. You can adjust such input settings like Filter Keys, Sticky Keys, or Repeat Delay settings.

If pressing a particular key types more than one character:

Click Start>Control Panel and search for Keyboard in the Control Panel search bar. Under the speed tab, adjust the Repeat Delay settings and try typing the characters again.

What was Beethoven's disability?
What was Beethoven's disability?

deaf Beethoven first noticed difficulties with his hearing decades earlier, sometime in 1798, when he was about 28. By the time he was 44 or 45, he...

Read More »
Last updated Jul 4, 2020
What is the devil's interval music?
What is the devil's interval music?

Like the Beast, it goes by many names: Diabolus in musica (devil in music), the devil's interval, the tritone, the triad and the flatted fifth. As...

Read More »
Last updated May 13, 2021

If there’s a delay between pressing a key and the character showing up on your screen, you need to adjust Filter Keys. Type Ease of Access in the search bar, and click on it.

Click Make the keyboard easier to use.

Uncheck the Filter Keys box if it’s on, and click OK. Turn off Sticky Keys in the same menu if your keyboard is acting up.

Run a Malware Scan

As crazy as it sounds, it’s possible that your keyboard could be infected with a virus. Run a malware scan using your currently installed antivirus software, or try a free online malware scanner just to rule out any potential threats.

Reinstall The Keyboard Driver

An outdated driver could cause your keyboard keys not to work. However, sometimes the keyboard driver can malfunction especially if you regularly install third-party software, or turn off your computer without using the Shut Down command.

To reinstall your keyboard driver, take these steps:

Right-click Start and select Device Manager.

Click on Keyboards to expand the list. Here you can check for any entry that could be having a yellow exclamation mark next to it, indicating a problem.

Right-click your keyboard and select Uninstall Driver.

and select Restart your computer, and it’ll automatically install the generic keyboard drivers, after which you can check if the keys work again. Note: You can also go to your computer manufacturer’s website and install the latest drivers for the specific keyboard for your model. If it’s not available, you can reinstall the USB drivers or chipset.

Replace The Keyboard

If none of these solutions helped, and your computer is still in its warranty period, you can check with the manufacturer for further support and repair, or get it replaced altogether. If it’s a laptop, back up your hard drive or remove it before sending it to a service technician, just so you don’t lose your precious data.

helpdeskgeek.com - How To Fix Windows Keyboard Keys Which Stop Working
Can I learn Japanese in 2 years?
Can I learn Japanese in 2 years?

The average length of time to learn advanced Japanese is 2-3 years. At the intermediate level, you can understand most of what your teacher says,...

Read More »
Last updated Nov 21, 2022
What is the greatest masterpiece of all time?
What is the greatest masterpiece of all time?

Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci It's the masterpiece of all masterpieces, the most famous, most discussed and most enigmatic of all paintings.

Read More »
Last updated Oct 20, 2020
How can I learn without school?
How can I learn without school?

22 Unique Ways to Continue to Learn Without Going Back to School Listen to a financial podcast. ... Forget happy hour and take a pottery or...

Read More »
Last updated Jul 16, 2022
How old is 7th grade?
How old is 7th grade?

The seventh grade is the eighth school year, the second or third year of middle school, and the first year of junior high school. Students are...

Read More »
Last updated Oct 29, 2021