What to Do If Your Keyboard Isn’t Working in Windows 10

The keyboard is an essential tool for any computer user, and a sudden malfunction can be quite frustrating. If your keyboard has stopped working on a Windows 10 device, don’t panic—there are several simple solutions that can help you fix the issue.

1. Check the Physical Connection

The first step is to make sure that the keyboard is properly connected to your computer. If it’s a wired keyboard, ensure the USB cable is securely plugged into the port. For wireless keyboards, check that the batteries are charged and the keyboard is powered on.

2. Restart Your Computer

A simple but often effective solution is to restart your computer. Sometimes, system glitches can be resolved with a reboot. Close all programs and restart the system to see if the keyboard starts working after the reboot.

3. Check Keyboard Drivers

Outdated or corrupt drivers can cause the keyboard to stop working. To check and update drivers:

• Open Device Manager by right-clicking on the Start menu and selecting Device Manager.
• Find the Keyboards section, expand it, and right-click on your keyboard, selecting Update driver.
• Select Search automatically for drivers and install any updates that are found.

4. Turn Off Filter Keys

The “Filter Keys” feature can sometimes block keyboard input unintentionally. To turn it off:

• Go to Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard.
• Turn off the Filter Keys toggle.

5. Use the Built-in Troubleshooter

Windows 10 includes a built-in troubleshooter to resolve input device issues:

• Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
• Find and run the Keyboard troubleshooter, following its instructions.

6. Try Another Keyboard

To rule out a hardware issue, connect a different keyboard. If it works, it’s likely that your original keyboard needs repair or replacement.