Keyboard locked

[Tman15]

Setting up new HP laptop. Keyboard suddenly won't type

[Sneha_01]

Hi @Tman15 

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

If the keyboard on your new HP laptop is locked or suddenly stopped working, it can be frustrating. Here are several troubleshooting steps you can follow to resolve the issue:

1. Check if the Keyboard is Disabled

Some laptops have a function key to enable or disable the keyboard. Check if your laptop has a keyboard lock feature.

• Look for a key with an icon resembling a keyboard or a lock. Often, it’s one of the F1 - F12 keys.Press Fn + the key that corresponds to the keyboard lock to enable it.

2. Restart the Laptop

Sometimes, a simple restart can fix temporary glitches or issues with hardware detection.

• Power off the laptop completely.
• Wait a few seconds, then power it back on to see if the keyboard works.

3. Try an External Keyboard

If you're able to use an external keyboard (wired or Bluetooth), try connecting it to the laptop and see if it works. This can help determine if the issue is with the laptop's built-in keyboard.

• If the external keyboard works, the issue is likely with the built-in keyboard, which could be a hardware or driver issue.
• If it doesn't work, the issue might be with the laptop's settings or software.

4. Check the Device Manager

There might be a driver issue with the built-in keyboard.

• Press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager.Expand the Keyboards section, then right-click the listed keyboard and select Uninstall.
• Restart the laptop. Windows should automatically reinstall the driver when you reboot.

5. Update or Reinstall Keyboard Drivers

If uninstalling the driver didn't help, try updating or reinstalling the keyboard drivers.

• In Device Manager, right-click the keyboard entry under Keyboards, and select Update Driver.
• Choose Search automatically for updated driver software and let Windows search for and install any available updates.
• Alternatively, you can visit the HP Support website and download the latest drivers for your laptop model.

6. Check the Keyboard Settings

• Press Windows key + I to open Settings.Go to Ease of Access > Keyboard.
• Make sure that options like Sticky Keys or Filter Keys are turned off, as these can affect normal typing behavior.

7. Check for Malware or Software Issues

Malware or certain software might interfere with the keyboard functionality.

• Run a full system scan with Windows Defender or another trusted antivirus program to ensure that malware isn't causing the issue.
• If the issue started after installing certain software, consider uninstalling the software to see if it resolves the problem.

8. Perform a System Restore

If the keyboard was working previously and suddenly stopped, you can try using System Restore to roll back the laptop to a point when the keyboard was functioning.

• Press Windows key + R, type rstrui, and press Enter to open System Restore.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to restore the system to an earlier point.

9. Reset the Laptop

If none of the above steps work, you might need to perform a system reset.

• Press the Windows key + I to open Settings.Go to Update & Security > Recovery.
• Select Get Started under Reset this PC and follow the prompts to reset your laptop (note: this will remove all apps and files).

I hope this helps.

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