How to fix keyboard not working on laptop

Is it a software or hardware problem?

Before diving in, use this table to identify what you’re dealing with. It will save you time.

Quick checks before anything else

These take under two minutes and fix a surprisingly large number of cases. Run through all of them before moving to the numbered fixes below.

1. Restart your laptop

A simple reboot clears stuck keyboard drivers, background processes that are intercepting input, and temporary system glitches. If you have not already restarted since the keyboard stopped working, do it now. This alone resolves the problem in a significant portion of cases.

2. Test with an external keyboard

Plug a USB keyboard into your laptop. If it works perfectly, the built-in keyboard has a hardware fault — skip ahead to Fix 5 or Section 8. If it also has problems, the issue is software-side and the fixes below will apply.

3. Check Num Lock and Fn Lock

On many laptops, pressing Fn + Num Lock accidentally turns the right side of the keyboard into a number pad, making letters like J, K, L, U, I, O type numbers instead. Press it again to toggle it off. Similarly, look for an Fn Lock key (often labelled FnLock or a padlock icon) that can change the behaviour of the top row.

4. Check the keyboard language and layout

An accidental switch to a different keyboard layout makes it appear as if many keys “don’t work” — they type the wrong characters. On Windows, look at the language bar in the taskbar bottom-right. On macOS, check the flag icon in the menu bar. Switch back to your language and test.

Fix 1 — Update or reinstall the keyboard driver (Windows)

A corrupt or incompatible keyboard driver is the most common software cause of a non-working laptop keyboard. Here is how to fix it.

Step 1 — Open Device Manager

Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager. Alternatively, press Windows + X and choose it from the menu. If your keyboard is completely unresponsive, use the on-screen keyboard (Windows + Ctrl + O) or a USB mouse to navigate.

Step 2 — Expand the Keyboards section

In Device Manager, scroll down and click the arrow next to Keyboards. You should see one or two entries — typically HID Keyboard Device and/or your laptop’s branded keyboard name.

Step 3 — Update the driver

Right-click on HID Keyboard Device and select Update driver. Choose Search automatically for drivers. If Windows finds an update, install it and restart your laptop.

Step 4 — If updating doesn’t help: uninstall and reboot

Right-click the same entry and select Uninstall device. Tick the box to delete the driver software if prompted, then click Uninstall. Restart your laptop. Windows will automatically reinstall a fresh keyboard driver on boot. This is often more effective than updating.

Step 5 — Roll back if keyboard broke after a Windows Update

Right-click the keyboard in Device Manager and select Properties. Go to the Driver tab. If the Roll Back Driver button is available (not greyed out), click it and follow the prompts. This reverts to the previous driver version that was working.

Fix 2 — Disable Filter Keys and accessibility shortcuts

Filter Keys is a Windows accessibility feature designed to help users who accidentally press keys multiple times. If it gets turned on accidentally (by holding the Right Shift key for 8 seconds), the keyboard appears broken — keypresses are delayed or ignored entirely. This is one of the most commonly missed causes.

Disable Filter Keys on Windows

1. Open Settings → Accessibility → Keyboard
2. Under Filter Keys, toggle the switch to Off
3. Also check Sticky Keys and Toggle Keys and turn them off
4. To stop accidental activation: in Filter Keys settings, untick “Allow the shortcut key to start Filter Keys”

Windows 10 path: Settings → Ease of Access → Keyboard → Filter Keys

Disable Slow Keys on macOS

1. Open System Settings → Accessibility → Keyboard
2. Turn off Slow Keys
3. Also check under Pointer Control → Alternate Control Methods that nothing unexpected is enabled

Fix 3 — Run the Windows Keyboard Troubleshooter and SFC scan

Windows built-in Keyboard Troubleshooter

Windows includes an automated keyboard troubleshooter that checks for common configuration problems and attempts to fix them automatically.

1. Open Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters
2. Find Keyboard in the list and click Run
3. Follow any on-screen instructions and restart if prompted

Windows 10: Settings → Update & Security → Troubleshoot → Additional troubleshooters → Keyboard.

Run the System File Checker (SFC)

Corrupted Windows system files can interfere with keyboard input. The System File Checker scans for and repairs them automatically.

1. Search for Command Prompt in the Start menu, right-click it, and select Run as administrator
2. Type the following and press Enter:
   sfc /scannow
3. Wait for the scan to complete (5–15 minutes). It will report if it found and repaired any issues
4. Restart your laptop

If SFC finds errors it cannot fix — run DISM

Copy and paste this command into the same elevated Command Prompt:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Run SFC again after DISM completes, then restart.

Fix 4 — macOS keyboard fixes (preferences, NVRAM, SMC reset)

Step 1 — Delete the keyboard preference file

macOS stores keyboard configuration in a preference file that can become corrupted. Deleting it forces the system to create a fresh one.

1. Open Finder → Go menu → Go to Folder
2. Type: ~/Library/Preferences/
3. Find the file named com.apple.keyboardtype.plist and move it to the Trash
4. Restart your Mac. macOS will create a fresh preference file automatically

Step 2 — Reset NVRAM/PRAM (Intel Macs only)

NVRAM stores keyboard settings that persist across reboots. A corrupt value can cause keyboard problems.

1. Shut down your Mac completely
2. Press the power button and immediately hold Cmd + Option + P + R all at once
3. Hold all four keys for about 20 seconds. You may hear two startup chimes (older Macs) or see the Apple logo appear and disappear twice
4. Release the keys and let your Mac start normally

Apple Silicon Macs (M1, M2, M3, M4) do not have NVRAM that can be manually reset in the same way — skip this step if you have an M-series MacBook.

Step 3 — Reset the SMC

The System Management Controller handles low-level hardware including keyboard power. Resetting it can resolve keyboard unresponsiveness.

MacBooks with Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4): Shut the Mac down completely, wait 30 seconds, then start it again. The SMC equivalent resets automatically on shutdown.

MacBooks with a T2 chip (2018–2020 Intel models):

1. Shut down
2. Press and hold the right-side Shift + Control + Option keys, then also press the Power button
3. Hold all four keys for 7 seconds, then release
4. Wait a few seconds, then press the Power button to start up normally

Older Intel MacBooks (removable battery models): Shut down, remove the battery, hold the power button for 5 seconds, reinsert the battery and start up.

Step 4 — Check input source (keyboard layout)

Go to System Settings → Keyboard → Input Sources and confirm you have the correct keyboard layout selected. An accidental switch to a different language layout makes keys appear non-functional.

Fix 5 — Only some keys not working (partial keyboard failure)

Partial keyboard failure is one of the most common problems and has several distinct causes. The fix depends on which pattern of keys has stopped working.

First: identify the exact dead keys

Use a free keyboard testing tool to map every dead key precisely before you start troubleshooting:

• Windows: KeyboardTest by PassMark (free version available) — visually shows which keys register and which don’t
• macOS: Key Codes by Many Tricks (free on the Mac App Store) — shows the keycode of every keypress
• Browser-based (any OS): keyboard-test.space — no install needed

Scenario A — One or a few individual keys not working

The most likely cause is debris underneath the keycap, or a keycap that has been dislodged from its switch. Here is how to clean it safely.

1. Power off the laptop completely and unplug it
2. Hold the laptop at a 45–75° angle (keyboard facing slightly downward)
3. Use a can of compressed air and spray short bursts under and around the affected key. Move the straw around the keycap edges. This dislodges crumbs and dust that jam the mechanism
4. If the key still sticks: gently remove the keycap. For most laptops, use a flat plastic spudger or even a credit card corner — slide it under the keycap edge and apply gentle upward pressure. Do not use a metal screwdriver — it scratches the keycap and can break the fragile scissor-switch clips underneath
5. Clean the switch mechanism and the underside of the keycap with a dry cotton swab or very lightly isopropyl-dipped swab. Let it dry fully before replacing the keycap
6. Clip the keycap back on — press down on all four corners until you hear/feel it click into place

Scenario B — A full row or column of keys not working

Laptop keyboards work on a grid called a keyboard matrix — a set of intersecting rows and columns of electrical traces. When one trace is damaged (by liquid, physical impact, or wear), every key on that row or column fails simultaneously.

If you identify a complete row or column is dead (e.g. all keys in the top row, or every key in a diagonal pattern across the layout), this points to a physical fault in the keyboard itself. Software fixes will not help. See Section 8 for hardware options.

Scenario C — Number keys typing the wrong characters

This is almost always Num Lock being enabled. Press Fn + Num Lock to toggle it off. The exact key combination varies by laptop model — look for a Num Lock label on one of your F-keys.

Hardware causes — liquid damage, ribbon cable, and replacement

If you have worked through all the software fixes above and the keyboard is still not working, the problem is physical. Here is how to diagnose it and what your options are.

Liquid damage

Liquid is the most common cause of sudden, complete keyboard failure. Even a small spill — a few drops of coffee, a splash of water — can short-circuit the keyboard membrane or corrode the electrical contacts.

What to do immediately after a spill:

1. Power off instantly — hold the power button down until the laptop turns off. Do not shut down normally; do not save your work first. Every second the laptop stays on with liquid inside increases the damage
2. Unplug the charger and remove the battery if your laptop allows it
3. Turn the laptop upside down in an inverted V shape to let liquid drain out rather than deeper in
4. Do not put it in rice — rice does not absorb moisture at the component level and wastes time. Instead, leave the laptop open and upside down in a warm, dry area with airflow for at least 48 hours before attempting to power it on
5. For better results: take it to a repair shop within a few hours for a proper isopropyl alcohol cleaning of the internals

If the spill happened a while ago and you are only now troubleshooting, corrosion may have formed on the keyboard contacts. A keyboard replacement is usually the only solution at this stage.

Loose or damaged ribbon cable

The keyboard connects to the laptop’s motherboard via a thin flat ribbon cable (also called an FFC — Flat Flexible Cable). Over time, especially on older laptops that have been flexed, dropped, or disassembled before, this cable can work loose from its connector or develop a micro-crack.

Signs that the ribbon cable is the cause:

• Keyboard worked fine then suddenly stopped with no other changes
• Keyboard works intermittently — works after pressing the palmrest area in a certain way
• An external USB keyboard works perfectly while the built-in one doesn’t

Checking the ribbon cable requires opening the laptop bottom panel. If you are comfortable with basic disassembly, iFixit.com has free step-by-step guides for most laptop models — search for your exact model. Reseating the ribbon cable (unplugging it and firmly plugging it back in) is a free fix that works when the connector has simply come loose.

Physical keyboard replacement

If the keyboard itself is the problem — confirmed by the tests above — replacing it is a DIY-friendly repair on most laptops. Costs vary significantly by brand and model:

Finding the right replacement part: Search Amazon or eBay for “[your exact model number] keyboard replacement” — for example “Dell Inspiron 15 3511 keyboard replacement”. Your laptop’s model number is usually on a sticker on the bottom panel. iFixit also sells parts alongside their repair guides.

Workaround — keep working while you fix it

If you need to use your laptop right now and the keyboard is still not fixed, here are two ways to keep working.

On-Screen Keyboard

Windows: Press Windows + Ctrl + O to open the On-Screen Keyboard instantly. You can also find it at Settings → Accessibility → Keyboard → On-Screen Keyboard. To pin it to the taskbar, right-click its icon in the taskbar and select Pin to taskbar.

macOS: Go to System Settings → Accessibility → Keyboard → toggle on Accessibility Keyboard. A floating keyboard will appear on screen and can be resized and moved.

Use an external USB keyboard

A basic USB keyboard plugged into any USB port works immediately on Windows and macOS with no drivers or setup needed. This is the most practical short-term solution — you can keep using your laptop normally while you order a replacement keyboard or book a repair.

Good budget options to consider:

• Logitech K120 — reliable, quiet, wired USB, widely available for under £15
• Microsoft Wired 600 — comfortable membrane keyboard, under £20
• Logitech K380 — compact Bluetooth keyboard, ideal if your USB ports are limited

Frequently asked questions

Still not working? What to do next

Work through the fixes in order and you will resolve the vast majority of keyboard problems without spending a penny. Here is a quick recap of the decision path:

1. Restart first — fixes driver glitches instantly
2. Check Filter Keys and Num Lock — catches the most common overlooked settings
3. Reinstall the keyboard driver (Windows) or reset NVRAM/SMC (macOS)
4. Run SFC or the Keyboard Troubleshooter for stubborn software issues
5. Clean debris for single-key failures, or check for a row/column pattern
6. Test with external keyboard — if it works, the built-in keyboard has a hardware fault
7. Inspect ribbon cable or replace keyboard for confirmed hardware failure

If you have worked through all seven steps and the keyboard is still not working, the most likely scenario is physical damage that requires a replacement part. For most laptops this is an affordable DIY repair.