Date First Published: 21st March 2023
Topic: Computer Systems
Article Type: Computer Questions & Answers
Difficulty: EasyDifficulty Level: 3/10
Learn about why no keys on your keyboard are working in this article.
Sometimes, you might come across a time when no keys on your keyboard will work or do anything. A keyboard is a basic input device and without it working properly, you can't accomplish basic tasks, like signing in, browsing the internet, and writing documents unless you use an on-screen keyboard. Below are 8 reasons why no keys on your keyboard are working and how to resolve the issues.
The first thing that you should do before following any of the steps below is restarting your computer. Sometimes, a restart may be all that is needed to resolve the issue. But, if after restarting, you are still experiencing this issue, you should follow the steps below.
If no keys on your keyboard will work, the first thing that you should do is make sure that the keyboard is plugged into your computer properly. Obviously, if the cord of the keyboard is not connected to the back of your computer properly, your keyboard won't be able to receive any power and no keys will work. Check that the cable is not loose by disconnecting and reconnecting the cable and then see if your keyboard works.
If you are using a wireless keyboard, make sure that the batteries have not run out. If they have run out, try replacing them and then see if the keys work. You should also make sure that the USB wireless receiver is properly connected to your computer, nothing is blocking the signal, and the signals are not exceeding the maximum span.
If your keyboard is using a USB port, try using another USB port on your computer as that USB port might be faulty. Older keyboards use a PS/2 port. You can be sure that a USB or PS/2 port on your computer is faulty by connecting another working device to the same port. If it doesn't work, then the port is faulty. Fixing a faulty PS/2 or USB port will require a new motherboard.
This troubleshooting section along with the next three will require you to have a working keyboard. If you cannot get any keyboards to work on your computer and have done everything you can to try and get a keyboard to work, skip to section 8.
Outdated drivers can cause devices to stop functioning. If you use Windows, Windows Update should automatically keep your drivers up to date. If Windows Update could not find your keyboard driver, you should visit the manufacturer's website to download the latest drivers.
Sometimes, there might not be a problem with the keyboard itself. There might be a problem with the software that interacts with the keyboard. Try plugging your keyboard into another computer and seeing if it works. If it does, then there are issues with the software that interacts with the keyboard. If not, skip to the next step.
If the keys on your keyboard will work as your computer is starting up, it is clear that something in Windows is preventing your keyboard from working properly. To resolve this issue, try booting the computer in Safe Mode. Safe Mode only loads the necessary files required for your computer to boot, preventing conflicts from happening. Try uninstalling any recently added software if your keyboard is working in Safe Mode.
If you have tried uninstalling recently added software and this does not fix this issue, you should try restoring the operating system to a point when the keyboard was working.
Although it is rare, some keyboards, especially keyboards with programmable function keys, require software to be installed in order for the computer to accurately interpret inputs from the keyboard. If the software program is outdated or corrupt, then the keys on your keyboard might not work properly. This type of software comes with the keyboard when it is purchased and is usually available on the manufacturer's website for download.
A virus can remap keys on a keyboard, cause the position of keys to be reconfigured, interfere with the software's ability to receive and interpret inputs from the keyboard, or completely prevent any keys on your keyboard from working. Although it is not possible for a virus to infect a keyboard as it has no data storage or ROM of its own, there are viruses designed to make a keyboard malfunction. These types of viruses are malicious viruses and are quite rare as there is no perceptible advantage or gain to the creator of the virus. Ensure that you have an active antivirus installed and up to date on your computer in case a virus infection is causing problems with your keyboard. You should run a full scan and after it has finished, remove any viruses that it finds.
If you have tried all the above and the keyboard still does not work, it is very likely that it is faulty. To be sure that the keyboard is faulty, try plugging it into another computer. If it doesn't work on that computer, then it is definitely the keyboard that is faulty and the problem is not related to your computer. You should try using another keyboard and replace the faulty one. It is not usually cost-effective to go to a computer repair shop to get your keyboard fixed as it is very often cheaper to replace it and keyboards are not very expensive. If you have tried using another keyboard and have tried every USB or PS/2 port on your computer and you still can't get a keyboard to work, skip to the next section.
If you have tried everything above, another keyboard does not work, and the keyboard you were using works with another computer, then it is definitely not a problem with the keyboard. This indicates that the motherboard of your computer is faulty and needs to be replaced. A bad motherboard can cause USB ports to stop working as it is responsible for providing power to them. If it is not working properly, it won't be able to provide the necessary power to them, causing them to stop working.
If so, it is important that you tell me as soon as possible on this page.
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