Overview #
A non-responsive keyboard can make a laptop or desktop nearly unusable. Whether the issue is with hardware, drivers, or input settings, the steps below will help you restore typing functionality quickly and safely.
This guide covers both built-in laptop keyboards and external USB or Bluetooth keyboards.
What you’ll learn
- How to determine if the problem is physical or software-related
- How to reinstall or reset keyboard drivers
- How to test for stuck keys or incorrect layouts
- How to verify hardware connections and power
Estimated time: 10–25 minutes
Skill level: Beginner to Intermediate
Terms and Definitions #
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| HID (Human Interface Device) | USB device class used for keyboards, mice, and similar peripherals |
| Keyboard layout | Mapping between physical keys and characters displayed on screen |
| Filter Keys | Windows accessibility feature that can delay or ignore keystrokes |
| NVRAM / PRAM | Mac memory area that stores keyboard and display preferences |
Steps #
Step 1 — Identify the Type of Problem #
- If the keyboard does not respond at all, check whether the system detects it.
- If keys produce wrong characters or repeat, the problem may be layout or driver related.
- If only some keys fail, the keyboard matrix or ribbon cable might be damaged.
Connect an external keyboard if possible to confirm whether the system itself is responsive.
If the external keyboard works, focus on the built-in keyboard hardware.
Step 2 — Check Physical Connection and Cleanliness #
Laptop keyboards:
- Power off completely.
- Use compressed air to remove dust between keys.
- Check for liquid residue or sticky keys.
- If recently cleaned with liquid, let it dry for 24 hours before powering on.
External keyboards:
- Disconnect and reconnect the USB cable.
- Try another USB port or computer.
- For wireless keyboards, replace batteries and re-pair the device.
Step 3 — Confirm System Recognition #
Windows PowerShell
Get-PnpDevice -Class Keyboard
Shows whether Windows recognizes the keyboard and its current status.
If it shows as Disabled or Error, continue to reinstall drivers.
macOS Terminal
ioreg -p IOUSB | grep -i keyboard
Displays connected USB keyboards.
If no results appear, the keyboard is not detected at the hardware level.
Step 4 — Reinstall or Reset the Keyboard Driver #
Windows
- Open Device Manager → Keyboards.
- Right-click your keyboard device and select Uninstall device.
- Restart the computer; Windows reinstalls it automatically.
PowerShell alternative
Get-PnpDevice -Class Keyboard | Disable-PnpDevice -Confirm:$false
Get-PnpDevice -Class Keyboard | Enable-PnpDevice -Confirm:$false
macOS
- Reset keyboard preferences:
sudo rm /Library/Preferences/com.apple.keyboardtype.plist
sudo rm ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.keyboardtype.plist
- Restart macOS to rebuild configuration files.
Step 5 — Check Keyboard Layout and Language Settings #
Wrong language or layout settings often cause incorrect characters.
Windows
Get-WinUserLanguageList
If the wrong layout appears (for example, en-GB instead of en-US):
Set-WinUserLanguageList en-US -Force
macOS
Go to System Settings → Keyboard → Input Sources and remove extra layouts.
Add the correct one (for example, “U.S.”).
Test by typing common symbols such as @, #, and ".
If they now appear correctly, the layout mismatch is resolved.
Step 6 — Disable Problematic Accessibility Features #
Windows
Some accessibility settings delay or block key presses.
Get-ItemProperty "HKCU:\Control Panel\Accessibility\Keyboard Response"
Check for AutoRepeatDelay or Flags values that might enable Filter Keys or Sticky Keys.
You can reset these in Settings → Accessibility → Keyboard by turning all options off.
macOS
Disable Slow Keys and Sticky Keys under System Settings → Accessibility → Keyboard.
Step 7 — Reset NVRAM / SMC (Mac only) #
If a Mac’s keyboard backlight, brightness keys, or volume keys stop working, reset its low-level controllers.
Reset NVRAM
- Shut down.
- Turn on and hold Option + Command + P + R for 20 seconds.
Reset SMC (for Intel Macs)
- Shut down.
- Hold Shift + Control + Option + Power for 10 seconds.
- Release and power on.
Step 8 — Test for Stuck Keys or Hardware Fault #
Windows PowerShell
Get-WmiObject -Query "Select * from Win32_Keyboard"
Reports active keyboard devices.
Then open the built-in On-Screen Keyboard (osk.exe).
If you see keys highlighted without being pressed, one is physically stuck.
macOS
Open Keyboard Viewer from the input menu.
If a key remains highlighted, it’s jammed or electrically shorted.
You can gently lift the key cap and clean the switch, but if multiple keys are affected, replacement may be necessary.
Verification #
| Check | Command | Expected Result |
|---|---|---|
| System recognition | Get-PnpDevice -Class Keyboard | Keyboard status = OK |
| Language layout | Get-WinUserLanguageList or macOS Input Sources | Correct layout shown |
| Key response | On-Screen Keyboard | All keys respond properly |
| Accessibility | Settings review | Filter/Sticky Keys disabled |
If all checks pass and typing is consistent, your keyboard is functioning correctly.
Conclusion #
Most keyboard issues come from driver corruption, incorrect layout settings, or power interruptions in the USB or internal connector.
By verifying system recognition, reinstalling drivers, and testing layout and accessibility features, you can restore normal operation quickly.
If only certain keys remain unresponsive after all steps, the keyboard’s membrane or ribbon cable may be damaged and require replacement.
