Laptop keyboard not working? It’s scary and annoying when you sit down to type, but nothing happens. Sometimes it’s a problem with your keyboard, and sometimes it’s an operating system issue. Other times, it’s best just to restart your device and see if it fixes itself.
Here are some of the most common reasons why your laptop keyboard is not working. Try the accompanying solutions and get your computer running smoothly again in no time.
Problem – Lagging or Delay
You type something on the keyboard, but it takes several seconds or more to appear on the screen. How can you fix this annoying problem? First, be thankful because this is almost definitely not a problem with the actual hardware. One cause might be an overloaded hard drive.
If you have a lot of programs running, or if it’s been a long time since you fully shut down your computer, try restarting your computer. Sometimes a quick reboot is enough to get your computer back on the right track. If that doesn’t work and there is still a delay, there is another solution.
One possibility is that your accessibility features are set to “Filter Keys” in Windows devices. This is a setting that helps people with hand tremors with typing. It ignores random brief keystrokes. If this setting is activated, it could explain the lag. Toggle off this feature and test out your keyboard now. You can find it in Settings > Accessibility or Settings > Ease of Access, depending on your device and operating system. If all else fails, reinstall the laptop keyboard drivers. It might just be a faulty driver. Reinstalling can be an easy fix to slow or lagging typing.
Problem – No Text Appears On-Screen (Software)
This is likely a software issue. First, run a system file scan. This solution is easy, hands-off, and can often find and fix any errors without supervision from you. Look for the right command prompt sequence for your device. When you’re ready, go to your device manager and find Keyboards. An exclamation mark next to the default keyboard indicates a problem. Simply right-click the keyboard, uninstall, and then reboot your machine.
If your laptop keyboard is not working, it could be because the computer is still connected to another secondary keyboard somewhere. If you have ever used a wireless keyboard, your laptop may be attempting to connect to a missing driver. Follow the same process as above and uninstall all drivers that are not related to your main keyboard. You may need to select “Show hidden devices” to find it. All you need to do to reinstall a device is plug it back in.

Problem – No Text Appears On-Screen (Hardware)
As you’re booting up your computer, use the key sequence that takes you to the BIOS menu. Use a search engine to find the correct keystrokes to access this screen. If you press the correct buttons, but nothing appears, then you may have a hardware problem.
The first way to solve a hardware problem is to check the connections. Make sure the connection between keyboard and motherboard is solid. Nothing should be loose, broken, or dusty. Experts can help you open up your laptop if you need assistance, but this is a short task that shouldn’t take too much effort. If a few keys aren’t working properly, then you may need to replace these individual parts.
You’ll be glad to know that if your keyboard is broken, you can always temporarily use the onscreen keyboard. Of course, you cannot type emails with this keyboard, but you can use it to issue commands to your computer. To protect your keyboard in the future, you may want to invest in a keyboard protector.
Takeaway
There’s nothing more annoying than a laptop keyboard not working. With a few quick steps, you can fix a faulty keyboard with minimal effort. Try the solutions listed above and get back to typing, streaming, and browsing to your heart’s content. If you need any replacement parts, Click-Shop-Now has got you covered.