Why Does My Laptop Keyboard Stop Working When I Type?

If you’ve ever owned a laptop, then you know how frustrating it can be when the keyboard stops working. You’re typing along, getting those thoughts on paper, and then… nothing. The laptop keyboard stops working altogether.Even worse? It’s almost always a problem with the keyboard itself. It’s not like there’s another tiny keyboard hidden somewhere in your laptop – it’s almost always an issue with the main keyboard in your device and how it connects with your computer. Whether it’s because of food crumbs or just general neglect, laptop keyboards stop working for a lot of different reasons. We’ll take you through some of the most common issues and offer solutions to help get things back up and running again as quickly as possible.

Crumbs and Dust Are the Bane of Laptop Keyboards

If you’ve ever been eating something crumbly on your laptop and then noticed the keyboard isn’t working, you’re not alone. Crumbs, dust, and lint can get lodged under your keyboard’s keys and cause all sorts of problems.That’s why it’s important to maintain your laptop with regular cleaning.If you’re eating at your laptop, set a keyboard cover on your device so any crumbs fall right through. You can also Wipe down your keyboard with a damp cloth and mild soap at the end of each day.If you’ve been working on your laptop and the keyboard stops working, try removing the keyboard completely and then cleaning it with a tiny brush and some water.

Your Keyboard Drivers require an update

If you’ve just bought a new laptop and the keyboard isn’t working, it could be that the keys aren’t fully installed on the device yet. If you’re not sure if your keyboard drivers are up to date, open up the Device Manager (you can find it in your OS’s settings) and click “Keyboards.” If you see your device listed with a yellow “!” beside it, you need to update your keyboard drivers.Your laptop manufacturer will have their own website with downloads, or you can visit the OS manufacturer’s website to find the latest version of your keyboard drivers.

Something May Be Sticking

If you’ve ruled out crumbs and driver issues and your laptop keyboard still isn’t working, there may be something sticking inside one of the keys. If you see that some keys are not registering while others are working fine, it could be a sign that something is stuck or broken inside one of the keys. You’ll want to take a look inside the key and see what could be causing the problem.If you find something stuck inside, you’ll need a pair of tweezers to carefully remove it. If you’re not sure what’s causing the problem, you may want to visit a local computer repair shop to have a professional take a look at your device.

The Keyboard Is Broken

If you’ve ruled out crumbs and driver issues and your laptop keyboard still isn’t working, it could be time to bite the bullet and get a new keyboard.If the rest of your device is working fine, you could try replacing the keyboard with a new one (make sure you buy the correct model).It’s not the most complicated repair, but it’s one that you do want to take your time with – you don’t want to break anything else while you’re in there. Visit a computer repair shop if you’re not sure how to replace your keyboard.

The Laptop Is Broken

If you’ve ruled out crumbs, driver issues, and a broken keyboard, your laptop itself might be the problem. It’s worth checking the power button is on and making sure your device is charged before jumping to conclusions, but if your laptop is over a few years old, it could just be falling apart.That’s why we always recommend buying a new laptop every three years.If your laptop is old, it may have a broken motherboard, which means you’ll need a new laptop – there’s likely nothing you can do to fix the problem.If your laptop is still under warranty, you can get it fixed for free. If you’re way past the warranty, you may want to consider just buying a new laptop.

Wrapping Up

If your laptop keyboard stops working, don’t get stressed – there are plenty of things you can try before spending big money on a repair.If you’ve ruled out crumbs and driver issues and your keyboard still isn’t working, try removing the keyboard and cleaning it with a damp cloth and mild soap.If you’ve ruled out crumbs and driver issues and your keyboard still isn’t working and there’s nothing stuck inside any of the keys, try replacing the keyboard with a new one.If your laptop is old and the keyboard isn’t working, it may be time to replace it.If the keyboard on your laptop stops working, don’t panic. There are a few common reasons why the keyboard might fail and a few easy fixes that can get your laptop back to normal in no time.