Keyboard not workingMedium

Keyboard not working

What this error means

This message appears when Windows or macOS is not receiving input from your keyboard, or only some keys respond. It can happen after a restart, when you wake the computer, after a software update, or if the keyboard connection is unstable.

In many cases, the issue is temporary and can be fixed by reconnecting the keyboard, checking settings, or restarting the computer.

Common causes

  • 1The keyboard is disconnected, turned off, or out of battery
  • 2A wireless connection, Bluetooth, or USB port is not working properly
  • 3Sticky keys, input settings, or accessibility features are affecting typing
  • 4A recent update, app, or system glitch is blocking keyboard input

How to fix it

  1. Confirm the keyboard is powered on and, if it uses batteries, charge it or replace the batteries.
  2. If it is wired, unplug it and plug it back in. Try a different USB port if one is available.
  3. If it is wireless or Bluetooth, turn it off and back on, then reconnect it from your computer’s Bluetooth or device settings.
  4. Close any apps that are using a lot of memory or processing power, then try typing again.
  5. Restart your computer. This often clears a temporary software problem that can block keyboard input.
  6. Check your accessibility and keyboard settings for features like Sticky Keys, Filter Keys, or input source changes, and turn off anything you did not mean to enable.
  7. If the keyboard still does not respond, test it on another computer or try a different keyboard to see whether the problem is with the keyboard or the computer.

When to seek help

Seek professional help if the keyboard does not work on more than one computer, if only specific keys keep failing after a restart, or if the computer also has signs of deeper hardware trouble, such as USB ports not detecting any device. If this is a built-in laptop keyboard and it stopped working after liquid exposure, a drop, or physical damage, stop using it and get it checked.

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