Keyboard Not Typing? Fix It
You press keys and nothing happens, or the wrong characters appear. It's usually a setting, a connection or crumbs, not a broken keyboard. Work through these fixes in order.
Is it every key, or just some?
- Nothing works at all: a connection, power or driver problem. Start at step 1.
- Some keys type the wrong thing (like @ instead of "): the keyboard layout is wrong. Jump to step 5.
- Number keys on the right don't work: press Num Lock.
- Keys are slow or ignore quick presses: an accessibility setting is on. Step 4.
FIXTry these in order
Open a step, try it, then tell us if it worked.
It sounds too simple, but a stuck driver is the most common cause. Use the mouse to restart: Start › Power › RestartApple menu › Restart.
- USB keyboard: unplug it, wait 10 seconds and plug it into a different USB port, directly on the computer rather than a hub.
- Wireless with a USB receiver: replace or recharge the batteries, unplug the receiver for 10 seconds, and plug it back in.
- Bluetooth: check it's charged and switched on, then remove it from Settings › Bluetooth & devicesSystem Settings › Bluetooth and pair it again.
- MacBook keyboard not responding? Plug in the charger: a hidden low-battery warning can block typing.
- Some laptops have a keyboard lock or Fn lock key; press Fn together with Esc or the key with a padlock icon.
- Tablet-style laptops and Surface devices disable the keyboard when it's folded back; make sure it's fully attached and flat.
- Gaming keyboards may have a “Windows key lock” or game mode switch.
Filter Keys makes Windows ignore brief or repeated key presses, and it's easy to switch on by accident by holding Shift for 8 seconds.
Go to Settings › Accessibility › Keyboard and turn off Filter keys and Sticky keys.
- System Settings › Accessibility › Keyboard: turn off Slow Keys, which makes you hold keys longer before they register.
- System Settings › Accessibility › Pointer Control: turn off Mouse Keys, which turns letter keys into mouse controls.
If keys type the wrong symbols, Windows may be using another language's layout. Press Win Space to switch between installed layouts, or go to Settings › Time & language › Language & region, open your language's options, and remove keyboards you don't use.
Go to System Settings › Keyboard › Text Input, click Edit, and turn on Show Input menu in menu bar. Then choose the correct layout from the menu bar.
- Search for Device Manager, expand Keyboards, right-click your keyboard and choose Update driver.
- Still not working? Choose Uninstall device, then restart. Windows reinstalls it automatically.
- Also install anything in Settings › Windows Update.
- Turn the computer off, or unplug the keyboard.
- Turn it upside down and gently tap to shake out crumbs.
- Use a can of compressed air at an angle between the keys.
- Wipe the keys with a cloth lightly dampened with isopropyl alcohol. Never pour liquid onto it.
Plug in a different keyboard, or try yours on another computer. If the other keyboard works, yours needs replacing or repair.
In the meantime you can type with the on-screen keyboard: press Win Ctrl O, or Settings › Accessibility › Keyboard › On-screen keyboardSystem Settings › Accessibility › Keyboard › turn on Accessibility Keyboard.
If no keyboard works on this computer, the computer itself may need repair; contact the maker. If only a laptop's built-in keyboard has failed, an external USB keyboard is a cheap workaround.
FAQCommon questions
Why is my keyboard typing the wrong letters?
The keyboard layout is set to another language, such as UK instead of US. See step 5. On Windows, Win Space or Alt Shift can switch layouts by accident.
Why do only some keys not work?
Usually dirt or crumbs under those keys, or liquid damage. Clean the keyboard (step 7). If it's the number pad, press Num Lock.
My laptop keyboard stopped working after an update.
Restart, then update or reinstall the keyboard driver (step 6). You can also uninstall the latest update in Settings › Windows Update › Update history.
What are Filter Keys and Sticky Keys?
Accessibility features that change how keys respond. They're helpful for some people but can make a keyboard seem broken if turned on by accident.