Middle Row on laptop keyboard not working

[shameer998]

Hello everyone,

So my laptop keyboard has been acting bad. The middle row of letter keys (ASDFGH...) are not responding, they will start working from time to time but after some rest, they stop working, even when pressed hard or repeatedly, The capslock key works (light turns on) etc. ALl the other keys are working fine. Moreover, when I connect an external keyboard, the external keyboard works perfectly. Does it have to do something with a swollen battery (I haven't checked) or is it something different.

[Max3Aj]

@shameer998, Hello and welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for posting your question. I'm here to help you get things back on track.

I understand you're facing issues with the middle row of keys (ASDFGH...) on your laptop keyboard intermittently not working. Since the external keyboard works fine, this points to a hardware issue with the built-in keyboard. Let's go through a few steps to diagnose and potentially resolve this:

Check for a Swollen Battery

A swollen battery can physically press against the keyboard from underneath, causing certain keys to malfunction.

• Action: Power off the laptop, unplug it, and inspect the bottom panel for any bulging or unevenness.
• If you're comfortable, remove the bottom panel and visually inspect the battery.
• Important: If the battery appears swollen, stop using the laptop immediately and please visit the HP service center. Swollen batteries can be hazardous.

Perform a Hard Reset

This can help clear any residual electrical charge that might be affecting the keyboard.

• Steps:
  1. Shut down the laptop.
  2. Disconnect the power adapter.
  3. Press and hold the power button for 15 seconds.
  4. Reconnect the power and turn it on.

Use HP Hardware Diagnostics

HP provides a built-in tool to test the keyboard.

• Steps:
  1. Turn off the laptop.
  2. Turn it on and immediately press Esc repeatedly, then F2 to enter HP PC Hardware Diagnostics.
  3. Select Component Tests > Keyboard Test.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to test each key.

Update or Reinstall Keyboard Drivers

Sometimes, outdated or corrupted drivers can cause erratic behavior.

• Steps:
  1. Open Device Manager (press Win + X > Device Manager).
  2. Expand Keyboards, right-click on the internal keyboard, and choose Uninstall device.
  3. Restart your laptop - Windows will reinstall the driver automatically.

BIOS Update

A BIOS update can resolve hardware compatibility issues.

• Visit HP support site and enter your laptop’s model number to check for BIOS updates: Official HP® Support

If none of the above steps resolve the issue, the keyboard may need to be replaced. In that case, please visit the nearest HP authorized service center, the service team will check and assist you. 
Kindly follow this link to locate the nearest HP service center: HP® Service Center Locator - United States | HP® Support
(Select the country from the dropdown menu and enter the city name or pincode) 

I hope the information shared has been useful and resolves your concern.

Wishing you a smooth and hassle-free experience ahead!

If this solution helped, please click “Accepted Solution” so others can benefit too. Don’t forget to hit the “Yes” button if you found this helpful!

Warm regards,

Max3Aj

HP Support