Why don't the keys on my laptop work?
Determine the severity of the problem; perhaps only part of the keyboard is faulty. It happens that breadcrumbs and small debris get under the button mechanism and because of this the contact disappears or is not pressed completely. It happens that the numeric keypad on the right side of the laptop does not work - turn it on by pressing Num Lock or pressing the Num Lock + Fn key combination. Make sure your computer is plugged into an electrical outlet. Make sure that the problem is not such trivial factors. So be sure to restart your computer and if nothing has changed, perform additional active steps later.
Some keys on the laptop do not work
The main reason that some keys on a laptop do not work is the cable contacts. But it could also be in the key itself: dust, dirt. As a result, there is no contact with the keyboard track. As mentioned above, the cable contacts on laptops are mostly graphite and they begin to deteriorate over time.
To solve the problem, you first need to disassemble the computer and remove the keyboard. Check the condition of the connector on the motherboard and the cable contacts themselves. If you see breaks in the tracks, but they are sometimes barely noticeable, then we cut off part of the cable, first removing the fixing film. After removal, remove the insulation and glue back the fixing film from below.
Important: before cutting, check whether the cable will then reach the motherboard.
If you are sure that it won’t reach you, then the deletion option will not help you. Unfortunately, you'll have to buy a new keyboard.
Determining the functionality of the keyboard through the BIOS
So, you checked the keyboard and realized that it still doesn't work. Therefore, we will look for errors through the BIOS. In this case, you can determine what the error is: in the mechanical or software part. To enter the BIOS, you need to restart the computer and, when it starts to boot (1-2 seconds), press the hot keys F1-F10 or Esc, Tab (the keys may be different).
In other words, the BIOS entry differs from laptop to laptop. When entering, very often an error occurs in the “Num Lock” tab. Do you need to know whether a command is enabled or not?
The number keys on the keyboard do not work
If the number keys located on the right do not work for you, this means that the Num Lock button is not pressed. Just click on it and everything will work. For many models, after pressing, the LED starts to light, confirming that the numeric keys are turned on.
Alternative input methods
The Windows operating system has a virtual keyboard by default. Follow the path shown in the screenshot below and enable the on-screen keyboard.
It will replace your main physical one until a fault is identified.
You can purchase a USB keyboard, and if you have one, then simply connect it to one of the USB ports of the laptop and, after automatically installing the drivers, begin to fully use it.
If the above methods for troubleshooting a keyboard did not help you, you will have to buy a new one. Then put it in place of the old one. But if you do not have the experience and desire to do repairs, then it is best to entrust this matter to professionals.
Temporary solution
Alternatively, you can use the virtual keyboard.
To launch the virtual keyboard, enter "Keyboard" in the search bar.
This will open the classic Windows app, On-Screen Keyboard, where you can enter any text entirely using your mouse cursor.
On the on-screen keyboard
In addition, some sites already have their own query input tool.
For example, Yandex.
In the right corner of the Yandex search bar there is a small on-screen keyboard icon with which you can write any query.
Yandex keyboard
If the built-in laptop keyboard could not be restored, you can connect an external one.
The desktop keyboard fits easily into your laptop.
The main thing is to choose a keyboard with a USB connector, since you can hardly find a PS 2 port on laptops.
Keyboard not working on HP laptop
If the keyboard on an HP laptop does not work, does not respond, or the keys are stuck, then its functionality can be restored using the recommendations described below. Although not in every case, intervention is appropriate up to a certain level. Next, consider the following points regarding the situation when the keyboard does not work:
- Consequences of careless operation;
- Pollution;
- Software glitch;
- Hardware faults;
- Service center recommendations.
Connecting a wireless or additional keyboard
For the most part, the operating system automatically configures the keyboard you purchase. But sometimes breakdowns happen. A standard laptop basically has three ways to connect to this device: PS/2, USB, or wireless. If the laptop is compact, it usually implements the last two methods.
When you connect an input device to the system, the operating system automatically starts searching for the device and connects it to the PC. It happens that Windows asks you to add certain drivers. They are usually found on a laser disc in the box that contained the keyboard.
Third party programs
Visualization of software keyboard disabling
There are special programs that allow you to control input devices. One of the simplest and most common is “Toddler Keys”. It allows you to turn off the keyboard at any convenient time. After installing and launching the program, a corresponding icon will appear in the desktop notification area. It is used to control the utility. By clicking on the line “Lock Keyboard” we turn off or turn on the device.
Liquid spilled on the laptop keyboard
Filling a laptop with cola or tea is not a big deal. There are 2 dangers:
- The keyboard is always installed on top of the main computer hardware. Rarely does a laptop have protection against moisture penetrating through the keyboard into the case. Bottom line: There is a high risk of serious damage to the motherboard and other system components.
- Sugar and other impurities present in the liquid. When it evaporates, it will form a thin layer of adhesive on which dust will accumulate and the key mechanism will not work. Bottom line: Wash potentially sticky residue off your entire keyboard after the liquid evaporates.
Why does the keyboard not work on an HP, Lenovo and other laptop?
Software failure There is no need to go for repairs if the keyboard on your laptop does not work. Perhaps the keyboard is simply not activated in the laptop settings, so the laptop does not recognize it. Follow these steps to resolve the issue:
- You need to go to “Device Manager”, then click on the “Keyboard” tab. You will need to see if it is activated or not. If not, then correct this nuance.
- Rebooting may also help solve the problem.
Viruses One of the reasons may be the presence of viruses in the laptop. If you installed an application, and then your keyboard stopped working, then you should conduct a deep scan with your antivirus to find all malicious files. Then move the viruses to quarantine or completely remove them and restart the computer. The keyboard should work.
Drivers Often faced with the fact that the keyboard on a laptop does not work, and the reason is outdated drivers. This is the simplest case that every user can handle. You need to update the driver and restart the computer and the keyboard will work again. Physical problems.
This problem is very serious as it can cover a wide range of causes. The problem may be that the contacts are dirty, which prevents the plug from contacting the computer, or buttons and microcircuits may be damaged, which will only need to be changed at diagnostic centers. Broken contacts may also be the cause. If the user was not careful and pulled the cord, then the contact and socket may well be damaged.
The microcircuit has burned out or the cable has broken
A laptop, like any other equipment, is vulnerable to mechanical stress and liquids. If tea, coffee or plain water is spilled on the keyboard, do not guess the cause of the malfunction. Immediately after a liquid spill, unplug the computer from the power source and remove the battery. If this is not done, the chip and other expensive parts will be at serious risk. In rare cases, the microcircuit burns out for no apparent reason. If this happened at the very beginning of the computer’s operation, it is worth taking advantage of the warranty, since there is a high probability of defects. But, again, this is an exception to the rule. If the chip fails, the USB ports will most likely fail. They need to be checked.
Even a slight touch to the computer can cause the ribbon cable, the piece of hardware that connects the keyboard to the motherboard, to break. The loop contacts weaken and oxidize over time. This usually happens with devices that are used in rooms with high humidity. You can clean the contacts yourself, but you will need a screwdriver to do this.
you must turn off the computer, remove the battery, and release the latches that secure the module to the case.
Having pulled out the module, it is not difficult to find the loop. This is a short and securely attached stand. If a laptop is sent in for repair, it may be repaired and poorly assembled. As a result, the cable will simply disconnect.
If the cable is held tightly, disconnect it (the white latch must be moved to the right and left). Let's look at the mechanism of oxidation and visible damage. Even if there are no traces on its surface, we clean it and put it back. This is usually enough for the device's keyboard to work.
Spilled liquid or burnt microcontroller
In fact, the cause of the breakdown may be actions that occurred some time ago - coffee or tea spilled on the keyboard. Over time, this led to oxidation of the contacts and failure of the keyboard. If liquid happens to spill on your laptop, you should immediately do the following:
- Turn off devices;
- We take out the battery;
- We dry the laptop with a hairdryer, setting the hair drying mode to gentle.
If your hair dryer model has a cold air function, you need to use this particular mode. Such actions can slow down the oxidation process of boards, microcircuits, and contacts. But if the computer stops working precisely for this reason or the microcontroller fails, a visit to a specialized center cannot be avoided. Conclusion: liquid and technology are incompatible. Save money and nerves, do not drink coffee over your laptop.
Types of faults
If you have just encountered a problem, then immediately find out what caused it. The options may be the following:
- disable with a special key combination;
- physical malfunction;
- software error.
You can determine what type of problem your problem is using logical reasoning. For example, if you recently let a child use a laptop, then it is logical to assume that he could press a special key combination.
You can also check the appearance and condition of the keyboard. If it doesn't hold well or makes unusual noises when pressed, then there is reason to think there is a physical problem.
And finally, if you recently installed new drivers or a program from a dubious site, then there is a danger that you brought a virus onto your computer with it and it infected the keyboard drivers or blocked it.
It is not always possible to determine by eye what is wrong. If this is your case, then try all the options, starting with the simplest ones. This will increase the chance that the keyboard will work. The main thing is not to take actions that will be difficult to correct later.
