How to Fix a Keyboard That Stopped Working

Step-by-step guide to diagnose and fix an unresponsive keyboard. Check connections, restart drivers, and troubleshoot hardware issues quickly.

1. Check the physical connection. Unplug the keyboard from your computer and plug it back in firmly. For USB keyboards, try a different USB port. For wireless keyboards, ensure the receiver is properly connected and within range.
2. Test the keyboard on another device. Connect your keyboard to a different computer or laptop. If it works elsewhere, the problem lies with your original computer. If it still doesn't work, the keyboard hardware has failed.
3. Restart your computer. Perform a complete restart with the keyboard connected. Windows and macOS reload all hardware drivers during startup, which often resolves temporary driver conflicts.
4. Update or reinstall keyboard drivers. Open Device Manager (Windows) or System Information (macOS). Locate your keyboard under 'Keyboards' and right-click to select 'Update driver' or 'Uninstall device.' Restart your computer to automatically reinstall the driver.
5. Disable Filter Keys and Sticky Keys. Navigate to Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard (Windows) or System Preferences > Accessibility > Keyboard (macOS). Turn off Filter Keys, Sticky Keys, and Slow Keys. These accessibility features can cause keyboards to appear non-functional.
6. Check for wireless interference. For wireless keyboards, move closer to the receiver and remove other wireless devices from the area. Replace batteries if the keyboard uses them. Re-pair the keyboard following the manufacturer's pairing instructions.
7. Boot into Safe Mode. Restart your computer in Safe Mode to test if third-party software is blocking keyboard input. If the keyboard works in Safe Mode, recently installed programs or malware may be the cause.