Keyboard Problems

Follow these steps to troubleshoot problems with your keyboard

Keyboard and mouse problems are very frustrating. In addition to complete failures, you may see partial failures or these devices behaving erratically.

The steps below should help you troubleshoot the problem. But keep in mind that if you happen to have a spare keyboard or mouse laying around the house, swapping out one for the other may help clear up the issue.

Note - When troubleshooting keyboard and mouse problems, do not unplug or plug in the device while the computer is running.

Keyboard Problems

Step 1 - Make sure the Keyboard is Plugged In

Even though you may think the keyboard is plugged in, it's best to check. Sometimes all you need to do is unplug it and plug it back in again (but make sure computer is off first).

If you're using a wireless keyboard, you might have to check the connectivity. You should have a device that sits on the desktop that your keyboard (and possibly mouse) talk to. In most cases, you have to point the device and keyboard toward each other and press the "connect button" to establish connectivity.

Step 2 - Does the boot process hang, giving you an error message saying the keyboard is missing?

If you are seeing this error message during boot up, then again, check the cable to make sure it's plugged in (and not damaged).

Check to see that you're getting lights on the keyboard. If not, the keyboard may be dead. If you have another keyboard (spare or attached to another computer), try swapping it out.

Check the keys to see if any are sticky when pressing them. Has anything spilled on the keyboard recently (coffee, soda, water, juice, etc.). If water spilt on the keyboard recently, you should be okay after the keyboard has had time to dry. Other liquids can damage the keyboard.

Step 3 - Check keyboard function in other programs

Try opening Microsoft Word, or Notepad and seeing if you can type in those programs.

Do all the keys work or just some of them (or none of them). If some keys work while some don't, test those keys in another program to see if they work in it.

Some of my problems in the past have been trying to type certain keys in one program (like a product key), and it turned out that the program was smart enough to know those keys weren't right so it didn't allow me to type them.

Step 4 - Check the driver

In order for your keyboard to work with the computer, it needs a driver. If you have software disc for your keyboard, you could try reinstalling the software. Otherwise, you could try downloading a new driver from the manufacturer's web site.

Another option is to go into Device Manager and delete the keyboard and then reboot the computer (this will often reinstall the driver).

Step 5 - Replace Keyboard

If none of the steps above can resolve the problem, then you may want to just replace the keyboard. They're pretty cheap these days and replacing it may be quicker and easier than more troubleshooting.

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