Has your computer’s keyboard locked itself completely, limiting you from typing altogether? You’re not the only one who’s been running into this problem, which is great seeing as we’ve had to tackle the problem and can now teach you how to do it.
The reason why your keyboard has locked up in the first place can be the cause of a bunch of different things, and that’s why we’ve included a variety of solutions. If the first one doesn’t work, proceed to the next until you’ve tried them all.
I will provide an in-depth answer that goes into greater detail later on in the article, but here’s the quick answer to the question.
You can unlock a locked keyboard, or troubleshoot a malfunctioning keyboard by doing the following:
- Restart the Computer
- Update Bios
- Replace the batteries (If You’re using a Wireless Keyboard)
- Turn off Filter Keys
- Try the keyboard with another computer
- Update or reinstall the keyboard’s drivers
- Check your keyboard to make sure it’s unharmed
- Clean your keyboard
- Check the connectivity to make sure the USB connection between the computer and the keyboard works as intended.
Yes, that sounds great and all but how do you do it? We will get to that. Bare with me for another minute and I will go into detail on each bulletin on the list above.
Since we’re talking about a “locked” keyboard we’ll have to separate the issues that are caused by an actual lock function and those that are related to software or hardware malfunctions.
How Do You Take the Keyboard Lock Off?
First and foremost, have you tried restarting your computer since the keyboard locked up?
Try that first.
Now we’ll take a look at another traditional way of unlocking a keyboard that’s locked.
What’s causing the keyboard to lock may be a Windows function called Filter Keys. Filter Keys is a feature that’s designed to let the user ignore repeated keys, but it can also cause the keyboard to lock up.
The reason why Filter Keys is a common villain in this scenario is that it’s quite easy to trigger on accident. Pressing the Shift key for 8 seconds will trigger Filter Keys.
Some people will say that’s practically impossible to accidentally trigger something that requires you to press it for 8 seconds, but that’s not true at all. Working as an IT consultant, I can tell you that I’ve seen it all.
Well, the Filter Keys feature can be turned off by pressing the same Shift key for another 8 seconds. This should produce a little beep. Try disabling the function to see if your keyboard starts working.
But if restarting the computer and removing Filter Keys didn’t change a thing, then we might need to keep going in order to identify the problem.
What To Do If My Keyboard Still Won’t Type?
Further research must be conducted to figure out what’s causing your keyboard to freeze up, as the most common fixes didn’t seem to do a thing. Here’s what you should go ahead and do next.
Replace the Batteries If Your Keyboard Won’t Type
If you have a wireless keyboard, simply replacing the batteries may cause the keyboard to start working again. Try replacing the batteries even if they’re new. New batteries can also stop working straight out of nowhere so it’s still a valid attempt that can work.
Read: How To Tell If Your Keyboard Is Low On Batteries
Check the USB-connection
If your keyboard is connected to the computer via USB port, check the port to make sure it isn’t damaged on the computer or the keyboard’s end. Remove the USB cable and reconnect it to see if the computer can identify that the keyboard has been connected to the computer.
Make sure that there are no evident signs of damage on the cable or the port.
Read: How To Protect a Keyboard From Dust
Update BIOS-drivers
The computer’s BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is a firmware used to initiate the computer during the booting phase, but it’s also used to connect the computer’s operating system to its attached devices. Updating the BIOS will help the motherboard to identify and communicate with the hardware.
Updating the computer’s BIOS firmware can, potentially, fix your keyboard. This is how it’s done.
1. Press Windows Key + R and type “msinfo32” then hit enter. This should open up the System Information window.
2. Look for System Model and/or BaseBoard Product to identify your motherboard.
3. Look for your current BIOS version under “BIOS Version/Date”
4. If the BIOS firmware is outdated, look for the motherboard on the manufacturer’s website using the information we gathered from “System Model” and “BaseBoard Product”. Look for the most recent BIOS firmware available.
5. Launch the installation file you just downloaded and follow the instructions. It’s important to keep your device connected to a power source at all times when updating BIOS.
6. Wait for the update to complete. You will be back at the login screen when it has finished updating.
Clean the Keyboard
Your keyboard could stop working because of crumbs, food, and other junk getting stuck underneath specific keys. It’s advantageous to use a can of compressed air when cleaning a keyboard as it’s quite easy to get into all the nooks and crannies. Having junk, food, or other items under your keys won’t lock the entire keyboard, just sections of it.
Spilling liquids on the keyboard will, in many cases, ruin it.
Update the Keyboard’s Drivers
Invalid drivers can be the reason why your keyboard has stopped working as intended. Updating or reinstalling the keyboard’s drivers can bring your keyboard back to normal.
Updating the drivers is easy. Here’s how you do it.
1. Search for Device Manager and open as admin (Right click and Open as Administrator)
2. Find “Keyboards” in the list of components and expand the menu.
3. Right-click the keyboard and choose “Update Driver”
4. Automatically search for drivers or browse your computer for local installation files.
You can also try to uninstall the drivers then reboot your computer. The computer will reinstall the drivers during start-up.
To reinstall the keyboard drivers, follow steps 1 and 2 above and then:
3. Right-click the keyboard and choose “Uninstall Device”
4. Restart the computer.
Try the Keyboard on Another Device
If you try the same keyboard on another computer and the issue still persists then it might have little to do with software, and more to do with actual hardware. Of course, there’s still a chance that the other computer has the same software-related issue but the chances are slim.
If the same keyboard doesn’t work on another device, then you’re most likely dealing with a faulty keyboard that needs to be replaced.
Read: Can a Keyboard Get a Virus (What To Do)?
Check the Wireless Keyboard Power Switch
Almost all wireless keyboards come with a power switch so you can turn the keyboard off when you’re done using it to save battery. It may sound like a convenient feature, which it is, but it’s also extremely easy to forget about. Make sure you haven’t forgotten to power on your keyboard.
Make Sure the Wireless Adapters Are Working
Wireless keyboards are connected to the computer via Bluetooth, sometimes via a small wireless adapter that’s connected to the computer’s USB-ports. Make sure the adapter is connected and working as intended.
If the wireless adapter is working, then you should be able to see the device being connected via Bluetooth.
1. Go to the Search Bar and search for Bluetooth. This should bring up “Bluetooth and other devices” hit Enter.
2. If the keyboard has established a Bluetooth connection with the computer, you should be able to find it under “Mouse, keyboard & pen”.
You can try removing the device’s Bluetooth connection then adding it again to see if that fixes your issues. Do this:
1. Find the item under “Mouse, keyboard & pen” and select it.
2. A new button saying “Remove Device” should appear. Click it.
3. Go to “Add Bluetooth or other device” above “Mouse, keyboard & pen”.
4. In the black pop-up window, choose “Bluetooth”, the first alternative.
5. Let the computer find the keyboard and select the keyboard. The connection should now be established.
When Should You Replace a Keyboard?
If you’ve tried everything above without getting any sign of life from the keyboard, then it’s most likely malfunctioning. If that’s the case, then you’re better off with a new keyboard, unless your current keyboard is covered by warranty. Then you should absolutely contact customer service to make sure they provide you with a working one.
Keyboards aren’t very expensive and there are various different types designed to be optimized for different things. I like wireless keyboards, preferably with a small touchpad on the side that gives me control of both the mouse and the keyboard with one device.
There are gaming keyboards, mechanical keyboards, and regular keyboards without any special functions or features.
I’ve gone more in-depth on the topic of replacing your keyboard here.