-
×InformationNeed Windows 11 help?Check documents on compatibility, FAQs, upgrade information and available fixes.
Windows 11 Support Center. -
-
×InformationNeed Windows 11 help?Check documents on compatibility, FAQs, upgrade information and available fixes.
Windows 11 Support Center. -
- HP Community
- Notebooks
- Notebook Software and How To Questions
- Keyboards not working with laptop

Create an account on the HP Community to personalize your profile and ask a question
09-03-2024 08:32 PM
My laptop keyboard stopped working. Even external keyboards are not working. A low-level hardware check shows the keyboard is working. How do I fix Windows to recognize keyboards again?
09-06-2024 10:24 AM
Hi @MuffinSpawn,
Welcome to HP Support Community.
Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.
If both your laptop’s built-in keyboard and external keyboards are not working, but the hardware check indicates the keyboard itself is functional, there might be a problem with Windows recognizing the keyboards or a software issue. Here’s a step-by-step guide to troubleshoot and fix the issue:
1. Restart Your Laptop
Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve hardware recognition issues.
- Restart your laptop and check if the keyboard starts working.
2. Check Keyboard Connection
For external keyboards:
- Ensure the keyboard is properly connected to a USB port. Try different USB ports to see if the issue persists.
3. Update or Reinstall Keyboard Drivers
Open Device Manager:
- Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
Update Keyboard Drivers:
- Expand the Keyboards section.
- Right-click on Standard PS/2 Keyboard (or any listed keyboard device) and select Update driver.
- Choose Search automatically for updated driver software.
Reinstall Keyboard Drivers:
- Right-click on Standard PS/2 Keyboard (or similar) and select Uninstall device.
- Restart your laptop. Windows should automatically reinstall the drivers.
4. Check for Windows Updates
Open Settings:
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
Check for Updates:
- Click Check for updates and install any available updates.
5. Perform a System Scan
Run System File Checker:
- Open Command Prompt as an administrator (search for "cmd", right-click, and select Run as administrator).
- Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. Allow the scan to complete.
Run DISM Tool:
- Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
- Type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter. This will scan and repair system image issues.
6. Check Keyboard Settings
Open Settings:
- Go to Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard.
Ensure Accessibility Features Are Off:
- Make sure that Filter Keys, Sticky Keys, and Toggle Keys are turned off.
7. Perform a Clean Boot
A clean boot can help identify if a background program is causing the issue.
Open System Configuration:
- Press Win + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
Perform a Clean Boot:
- Go to the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services, and click Disable all.
- Go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager. Disable all startup items.
- Restart your laptop.
I hope this helps.
Take care and have a good day.
Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.
Rachel571
HP Support
Sneha_01- HP support