If the key does not work. What to do if the keyboard does not write letters. Why does the keyboard not work when Windows starts. What should be the action if several or one button stopped working. What to do if crumbs were spilled

If some buttons on the keyboard do not work for you, and you cannot find the reason, this article will help you figure out what the problem is.

Why don't the buttons work?

The most common cause of a malfunction (approximately 90%) is liquid spills. It provokes a malfunction of the tracks that conduct current, and are located inside the keyboard. Moisture provokes their short circuit, over time they begin to rot - so some keys stop working. In addition, if the drink that gets inside is sweet (soda, coffee or tea with sugar), the buttons begin to stick. If nothing got on the keyboard, why don't the buttons work?

There may be several options:

1. A large amount of dust and dirt has accumulated inside. As a rule, this happens if a person is a fan of eating on a laptop. People who monitor the laptop regularly clean the buttons, and this problem is usually not encountered. 2. The rarest malfunction, due to which the buttons may not work, is the loop contacts. Sometimes the entire loop is completely out of order - then you need to replace it. With such questions, it is better to immediately contact the specialists.

What actions can be taken if liquid is spilled?

What to do if liquid gets on the keyboard - this question is most often asked to specialists. Here's what you can do: 1. Disconnect the power adapter immediately. 2. Turn the product over - this is necessary so that the excess liquid is drained off as quickly as possible. 3. Wipe the cabinet with a dry cloth. If a large amount of liquid has been spilled, serious intervention by specialists will be required. If your laptop is under warranty, or you are not sure that you can disassemble it yourself, it is better to immediately contact the service center.

How to clean buttons from dirt?

If you are sure that the buttons do not work due to the fact that a large amount of dust or dirt has accumulated in them, then cleaning will be required. This process can be carried out in different ways:

• with the removal of the keyboard;
• without removing it.

If you do not know how to disassemble the keyboard, and do not know how to do it, then you will need a vacuum cleaner with a small attachment. If the vacuum cleaner is too powerful, it is advisable to put it on medium mode, otherwise you can lose some of the keys. If you are interested in the first option, then we clean the keys from dirt sequentially:

• we remove them, as well as carriages;
• glue the layers;
• we carry out washing and drying;
• using a multimeter, we check the integrity of the tracks - if necessary, they are restored;
• assembly.

Loop test and keyboard replacement

If the cleaning did not bring any results, the keys do not work like that, in which case you need to remove the keyboard and inspect the cable that connects it to the motherboard. It must be free from kinks and damage. It must be correctly connected to the connector. Replacing the keyboard is the last resort if none of the above steps helped. If you are not strong in this area, then it is better to entrust the work to professionals.

If you turn on the computer, and the keyboard does not work, does not respond to key presses in any way and the indicators are off, then there may be only two errors: a hardware malfunction or a software failure.

What to do if the keyboard does not work due to a hardware problem

There are very few hardware problems that can lead to keyboard failure. Usually this is a lack of contact in the connector (the plug is not fully inserted into the connector), a malfunction of the input device itself and a malfunction of the motherboard port.

First of all, you need to make sure that the keyboard is connected correctly, especially for keyboards with a PS / 2 connector. The keyboard has a purple plug and it must be plugged into a connector of the same color in the system unit. The plug may not be fully inserted into the connector, resulting in a loss of contact. You should check this point, and it is better to disconnect and reconnect the keyboard. After all the manipulations, try restarting your computer. It often happens that some kind of software failure occurs during device initialization. A reboot usually fixes such problems.

To make sure that the keyboard is working, as well as the port for connecting it, you will need to find another working keyboard. If the known working keyboard on your computer works fine, then the problem is with the input device itself. In this case, you will have to go to the store for a new keyboard. If the initially working keyboard does not work on your computer, but yours, on the contrary, functions on another computer in normal mode, then there is probably a defect in the motherboard. Correcting this malfunction without computer diagnostics is problematic, so it is better to contact a specialist. Also, do not forget that you may still have a software error, which we will talk about below.

What to do if the keyboard doesn't work due to software

A software malfunction, as a rule, consists in the incorrect operation of the driver. It is possible to eliminate this problem provided that the mouse is "in service".

Go to the Start menu and then to the Control Panel. Here open the "System" section and launch "Device Manager". If there is a problem with the drivers, there will be a yellow triangle with an exclamation mark next to the keyboard in the list.

Right-click on this line and open "Properties". Now go to the Driver tab and click the Uninstall button. Confirm your actions and the keyboard driver will be removed from the system.

Now you should update the hardware configuration and search for connected devices. To do this, go to the Action menu in Device Manager and click Update Hardware Configuration.

The system will detect a new device (keyboard) and reinstall the drivers for it. If you are using a multimedia keyboard, you may need to install drivers from the disk for its normal operation. Such a disc is usually included in the kit. It must first be installed in the optical disc drive and, when prompted by the Add New Hardware Wizard, specify the path to the drive for installing the drivers. If the installation is successful, the LEDs on the keyboard will light up. When the Add New Hardware Wizard finishes, you will need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Good times of the day!

If there are no problems with a regular keyboard for a PC - it broke down, I bought a new one, but with laptops it is far from so simple:

• firstly, in some cases it is quite difficult to find it;
• secondly, it is not easy to change it yourself (sometimes you need to disassemble the entire device);
• thirdly, the inoperability of some keys is not always associated with a malfunction (but on this, many users get burned ...)!
• fourthly, the laptop keyboard often "bites" at the price (it costs much more).

Actually, in this article I want to give some not entirely obvious reasons why the keys may stop working. In addition, it is not always worthwhile to immediately run for a new keyboard - agree, if 1-2 keys do not work for you (which are not so often used), then it is quite possible to do without them?

In general, in this article I will give different options for the reasons, solutions, and what you can do if you encounter this problem. So...

To help!

Keyboard performance testing (diagnostics using the Keyboard test utility) -

Are the keys disabled in the BIOS (relevant for FN, F1 ÷ F12)

If the function keys (F1 ÷ F12) do not work for you, or special. FN key - it is possible that the problem lies not in the keys themselves, but in the BIOS settings (UEFI). By the way, I note that by default on many laptops the function keys are disabled. (instead of them, excellent functions are performed: volume up, Wi-Fi on / off, screen brightness adjustment, etc.) .

As a rule, you need to enter the BIOS and change the operating mode of the functional. keys (the parameter name is something like "Hotkey Mode", as in the screenshot below).

In addition, pay attention to whether you have installed drivers and specialized software from your laptop manufacturer. For automatic driver updates, I have long recommended this list of utilities:

To help!

Why Fn and function keys F1 ÷ F12 may not work on a laptop (solution to the problem) -

By the way, if you have a regular PC keyboard, then pay attention to the special keys F Lock or F Mode(for example). They do not occur very often, but still ...

Using them, you can disable the function keys (next to them, there is usually an LED, example below).

F Lock key (most often found on expensive keyboards)

Garbage under the keys (dust, crumbs, hair)

The most common cause of poor response on most keys is debris and dust that accumulates underneath over time. A characteristic feature in this case: when pressed weakly, the key does not work, however, when pressed with some effort, the key works. Although, of course, a lot depends on the design of the keyboard itself (some are specially protected, and generally do not have such a problem).

How can you clean your keyboard:

Wear and acidification of the tracks (especially important when the keyboard is flooded)

For reference! Conventionally, keyboards can be "divided" into 2 camps: membrane (in which thin films with tracks are used), and mechanical (where each separate button is a "button"). The most common keyboards are membrane (about 90% -95% on the market). They are cheaper and lighter (which is especially true for laptops).

So, whatever the keyboard is, it is designed for a certain number of clicks (as a rule, several tens of thousands - this is several years, even with active use). Over time, the conductive tracks acidify, the thin contacts closing the tracks wear out, and the dust also does its job.

By the way! The process of "acidification" of conductive tracks is accelerated hundreds of times if you spill some liquid on the keyboard. Which, by the way, is not so rare, experts abroad considered that every 100th circle above the keyboard falls over on it ...

Membrane keyboard (as an example, so that it is clear what is at stake).

In case of problems with an old keyboard (or with some kind of liquid filled in), I can advise the following recipe (he does not guarantee recovery, and you do everything on it at your own peril and risk. However, to revive several keyboards for a while, he helped me) :

How to do without some buttons

It is not always possible to replace the keyboard: sometimes there is no money, quite often many get so used to their keyboard that they simply do not want to change it to any other. As for laptops, it may become so that the right keyboard for your model may not be found ...

But in many cases, you can do without non-working keys (especially if there are only 1 ÷ 2 of them). The most popular ways of this "workaround" are given below ...

You can reassign one key to another

The most common option is to use special utilities that can replace pressing one key by pressing another. It sounds a little "strange", but the principle is:

• for example, the "Z" key does not work for you;
• you set the "Ctrl" key together with it;
• now when you press "Ctrl" - you will trigger "Z" (note that you can reassign almost any buttons to each other).

Instructions to help!

How to reassign one key to another (for those who do not have a button press on the keyboard) -

I am personally impressed by the MapKeyboard utility - simple, free, reliable. The principle of working with it is very simple: first, specify which button you want to use instead of the disabled one; then indicate not working and save the settings. After rebooting the PC / laptop - the "job" is done, the key will be replaced (the screen is just above).

You can connect an additional keyboard

Just like with a PC, you can connect a regular keyboard to any laptop (most often a classic USB keyboard is used). As a rule, there are no problems with configuration: the keyboard becomes available for operation immediately after connection.

You can use the virtual keyboard

Not everyone knows that Windows has a virtual (software) keyboard that you can click with the mouse cursor. Something like the one that appears on Android devices when you access a text block.

To bring up such a virtual keyboard, Windows, and go to the next section: Control Panel \ Accessibility \ Ease of Access Center ... There will be a link to launch it (see the screen below).

The keyboard looks pretty good, the buttons are large and comfortable. It can be quite used when filling in small text fields, when the main keyboard does not allow you to do this.

Addition!

If the problem is with the power button

Not so long ago, by the way, I received an interesting question about the non-working power button on a laptop. In general, it does not directly relate to the keyboard, but nevertheless ... I decided to indicate it, too, in this article.

Instructions

How to turn on a laptop without a power button, is it possible -

Additions and comments on the topic are welcome ...

Happy work.

Usually, all buttons on a laptop keyboard do not work due to mechanical failure. If this happens, the keyboard must be completely replaced.

However, if some buttons on your laptop keyboard are not working, you can fix this. In this article, we will show you several ways to fix non-working buttons on your laptop keyboard.

Function buttons do not work

The function buttons are F1-F12 keys. They perform various functions, for example, increase or decrease the volume, disable the touchpad, enable Wi-Fi, and more. They usually work by simultaneously pressing the Fn key + the desired function on F1-F12.

If the function buttons on your laptop keyboard do not work, the problem may be that you have the F-lock button enabled. Take a close look at your keyboard, find the F-lock button, and click on it to disable it. If you do not have such a button, then your laptop does not provide an option to disable the function buttons.

Buttons on the numeric keypad don't work

The numeric keypad is located on the right side of the laptop's main keyboard. It has this name because it offers quick access to numbers from 1 to 9. If some of the buttons on the numeric keypad of your laptop do not work for you, then try press the Num Lock key.

Buttons on the keyboard do not work in one specific program

Some buttons on the keyboard do not work with all programs, such as the function buttons (F1-F12). An easy way to check if buttons work in other programs is to open Notepad, Word or an Internet browser, and then click on the buttons of interest.

Restart your computer and enter Safe Mode

If your laptop is running Windows, try restarting it and booting into Safe Mode. If the buttons on your laptop keyboard are working in safe mode, this indicates that one of the installed programs or drivers is causing the problem.

Clean your keyboard

Dust, dirt, hair, and other objects can eventually enter your laptop keyboard, making the buttons difficult to work and causing them to malfunction or not work at all.

If none of the above fixes your problem, the keyboard is probably defective and needs to be replaced. In this case, you need to contact the service center and find out the reason why some buttons on the laptop keyboard do not work.

If you have to not only surf the Internet, but also actively communicate in chats and forums, leave comments, make reviews or write a large volume of letters - you need a comfortable keyboard. As a rule, in new laptops, the keys move tightly, but clearly - each press requires minimal, but clear effort. After some time of active use, the keyboard becomes softer, pliable, pressing the keys imperceptibly light.

The buttons on the laptop are not pressed

How annoying it is to face a problem when suddenly the buttons on the laptop are not pressed. This can happen for several reasons, one of which is the clogging of the space under the laptop keys with dust and debris. In this case, some buttons can be pressed easily, others with obvious difficulties. Their course becomes short, and the characters are no longer printed.

Different laptops use different key retention mechanisms, but one way or another, they are all removable. They consist of a platform directly on which the key is installed, a lifting mechanism - an elevator and an element acting as a spring. You can clean the keyboard yourself, but if the key retention mechanism is complex and fragile, problems may arise with installing the buttons in place - it is difficult to do this without some skill, you can break the elevator. First, try blowing out the keys with a strong blast of air. It is possible that this will help get rid of fine dust and debris, if there is not much of it.

A better idea is to take your laptop to a service center for cleaning. They do it quickly and quite inexpensively, at the same time you can clean the cooling system, as well as the laptop connectors from dust and dirt. For preventive purposes, it is necessary to diagnose and clean the laptop once a year, so you can easily combine the useful with the necessary.

Laptop keyboard buttons and touchpad not working

If the problem is not in debris and dust, but the buttons and even the touchpad suddenly stopped working, get ready to solve more serious problems. It could well have happened that there was a malfunction of the tracks. Tracks are damaged if liquid gets under the keyboard - it corrodes the tracks, and not all laptop users can draw new ones. Such patients need repairs within the walls of the service center. By the way, while your laptop is waiting for repair, and only a few buttons are faulty, you can easily assign their function to other keys or use the virtual keyboard on the laptop screen. Download programs and utilities that allow you to easily manipulate the functionality of the keys, and continue working. But you shouldn't delay going to the service center after filling the laptop with liquid. Over time, its detrimental effect will be reflected not only on the buttons, but also on the internal mechanisms. If one of them fails, the cost and timing of the repair can be an unpleasant surprise.

So if you have the buttons on the laptop stopped working, first, find out what it is connected with - with the ingress of dust and small debris or with more serious problems - flooding, malfunction, etc. Remember that you always have the opportunity to use a virtual or external keyboard, as well as contact a service center to repair or replace a damaged keyboard. First, blow out the keyboard, check if the drivers are installed correctly, try restarting the computer. If none of the above helps, feel free to contact the Right-hander service center. Your problem will be dealt with by professional engineers.