A computer keyboard is an input device that allows a person to enter letters, numbers, and other symbols (these are called characters in a keyboard) into a computer. … Using a keyboard to enter lots of data is called typing. A keyboard contains many mechanical switches or push-buttons called “keys”.

What is the problem of keyboard?

If keys stick or certain keys become unresponsive, it shows there is a problem with the keyboard. dust and dirt are likely causes. Turn the keyboard upside down to try to release the dirt trapped inside. If that doesn’t fix the problem, use compressed air to spray a jet of air between the keys, releasing any debris.

How to Test a Laptop Keyboard For Error

Testing your computer’s keyboard involves more than simply seeing if the keys work. Opening a word processor and typing a few lines won’t really tell you anything; if all the keys work correctly, there could still be an issue with your keyboard’s device driver that isn’t obvious. To successfully test your computer’s keyboard, you need to do so in the Microsoft Windows Device Manager hardware management utility.

Step 1

Click “Start.”

Step 2

Click “Control Panel.”

Step 3

Click “System.”

Step 4

Click “Open Device Manager.”

Step 5

Right-click on the listing for your computer’s keyboard. Select the “Scan for Hardware Changes” option from the menu. The Device Manager will now test your computer’s keyboard. If an “error” icon appears next to the listing, there is a problem with your computer’s keyboard. Right-click the listing for the device again and select “Properties” for more information about the specifics of the error.

HOW TO SOLVE KEYBOARD PROBLEMS

If your laptop keyboard is not working due to a software issue, you’ll likely be able to get it back up and running in no time at all. There are a few things you should try out.

The first one is to update your keyboard driver. Open Device manager on your Windows laptop, find the Keyboards option, expand the list, and right-click Standard PS/2 Keyboard, followed by Update driver. After the update is finished, test to see if your keyboard works. If it’s not, the next step is to delete and reinstall the driver.

Right-click on the Standard PS/2 Keyboard again and then select the Uninstall device option. Once the driver is deleted, reboot your device, and the driver should reinstall automatically. Test out the keyboard again to see if the problem is solved.

If all things fail, the last option is to run a malware scan with a tool like Malwarebytes It’s possible that your laptop keyboard is not working because of some sort of a virus, which a malware scan should hopefully get rid off.

Reinstall Your Keyboard Driver

Sometimes the driver managing your keyboard can run into problems, particularly if you install third-party software often and/or you turn your machine off all the time without using the Shut Down command.

Open the Start menu and type “Device Manager.” Press Enter, and expand the Keyboards section. If any of the items in this section have a yellow exclamation point next to them, it can indicate a problem. Even if you don’t see an exclamation point, though, I recommend right-clicking your keyboard in this menu and choosing Uninstall Driver. Reboot your PC, and Windows should automatically grab the generic drivers for your keyboard, which may cause it to work again.

If that doesn’t bring the keys back to life, or if the Keyboard icon isn’t even visible in the Device Manager, head to the laptop manufacturer’s support page and install the latest drivers for the keyboard. (If there’s no keyboard driver, try reinstalling the chipset and/or USB drivers.)

Adjust Your Keyboard Settings

Certain software settings can cause your keyboard to behave erratically, even if they were intended to be beneficial. For example, if your keyboard’s Repeat Delay setting is too short, pressing a key might type two or more characters. Head to your keyboard’s settings by opening the Start menu, typing “Control Panel,” and searching for Keyboard in the upper-right corner of the Control Panel window.

If, on the other hand, you notice a delay between pressing a key and that character appearing on screen, you may want to adjust the Filter Keys setting. From the Start menu, search for Ease of Access, enter that menu, and click on “Make the keyboard easier to use.” If Filter Keys is turned on, uncheck that box and press OK to see if it helps. (Similarly, if your keyboard is behaving strangely, make sure Sticky Keys is also turned off in this menu.)

Change Your Keyboard Layout

If your keyboard keys work but produce different letters than the keys indicate, it’s possible your language or keyboard layout got changed accidentally (or someone in your office pulled a decades-old prank).

Open the Start menu and type “Language” to find Windows’ Region & Language settings panel. Click on it, then head down to your list of languages. Click on the one you want to use—for most US users it’ll be English (United States)—and click the Options button. Make sure US QWERTY is available under Keyboards on the next page, and remove any keyboard layouts you aren’t using. 

Check for Crumbs

The above solutions are all software-based, but if you followed our initial instructions and suspect your problem is hardware-related, you’ll need to get your hands dirty…literally. You may have to clean your keyboard

Hold your laptop upside down, or at the very least at a 45- to 75-degree angle from horizontal and give the laptop a good shake. Sometimes crumbs from working lunches or your last snack break can get stuck under the keys. This is more of a problem for older laptops, but it’s worth a shot even on a new one.

If you have a keyboard vacuum or a can of compressed air, give the nooks and crannies of your keyboard a quick cleaning. If one or two keys are stuck because of soda spillage, pop the offending key cap off the keyboard and try to clean as much dried liquid from the key switch as possible. Dab some rubbing alcohol or soapy water on a rag—not onto the keyboard—and clean away the sticky residue. A cotton swab can also come in handy here, just be careful and don’t disassemble the key switch unless you know what you’re doing.

If an extensive section of the keyboard is stuck because of liquid damage, like a spilled cup of soda or coffee, your best recourse may be to have the keyboard assembly replaced.

Remove the Battery (If You Can)

Occasionally, a laptop’s battery—which resides under the keyboard—can cause problems. If your laptop has a removable battery, try shutting down the laptop, removing the battery, then plugging in the power cable. Try to boot the laptop without the battery installed, using only AC power.

If the keyboard only works when the battery is removed, you may need your battery replaced (Just be sure to get an official battery from the laptop’s manufacturer—we do not recommend third-party laptop batteries for safety reasons).

Reseat Bad Connections

Sometimes the keyboard loses connection with the laptop’s motherboard, and you have a keyboard that either works intermittently or not at all. If you’re an IT pro, removing the outer case and reconnecting the ribbon cable on the bottom of the keyboard should be child’s play.

If not, check your laptop manufacturer’s site for instructions on disassembling your laptop so you can reconnect that ribbon cable. If you aren’t comfortable disassembling your laptop, bring it to a service depot so a professional can take a look at it.

Defective Keyboard

If you’re still in your warranty period, try your laptop manufacturer’s tech support line. If they determine you’re using a defective keyboard, you should be able to get it replaced at a service depot without too much hassle.

Before you send your laptop in or surrender it to a service tech, however, it’s always advisable to back up your hard drive or remove it entirely and hold onto it. That way you’ll still have your data, which is the most important part of your laptop.

 Did any of them fix your problem? Let us know which one in the comments below.