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‎06-20-2026 06:33 PM

HP Recommended

My Spectre laptop's keyboard stopped working today after startup. It works at startup and in bios testing, but turns off when start up is complete (the backlight goes out and the mute light comes on since I keep it muted unless I need sound).  I have to use the onscreen keyboard to type this message.  I tried the EmbeddedController (hard) restart, reinstalling keyboard driver (HID), disabled fast startup, and checked for driver updates.

Category:
1 REPLY 1

‎06-22-2026 04:30 AM

HP Recommended

Hi @Filmore1 

 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

 

I understand the concern regarding the keyboard not functioning after startup, even though it responds in BIOS and during initial power‑on. Thank you for sharing the steps you have already tried. Since the keyboard works in BIOS, the hardware is detected correctly, and the issue is occurring once Windows loads. Let us proceed with recommended actions to address this.

 

Update BIOS and Drivers via HP App 
Open the HP App on your laptop, go to Updates, and install all pending BIOS, firmware, and driver updates. 

Restart the system after completion.
 

Run HP Hardware Diagnostics – Component Test 
Restart the laptop and press Esc repeatedly, then select F2 – System Diagnostics. 

Run the Keyboard Test to confirm the hardware passes.
 

Check HP System Event Utility 
In Windows, open the HP App and verify that the HP System Event Utility is installed and updated. 

This utility manages special function keys and backlight control. 

Reinstall it if necessary.
 

Verify BIOS Settings 
Restart and press F10 to enter BIOS. Under Advanced or Built‑in Device Options, ensure the Internal Keyboard is enabled. 

Save changes and exit.

 

Perform a Clean Boot 
In Windows, run msconfig, choose Selective Startup, and disable non‑Microsoft services. Restart and check if the keyboard functions. This helps identify if background software is interfering.
 

Source: Performing a Clean Boot

 

These steps will help isolate whether the issue is driver, firmware, or software related. Please try them in order and let me know the outcome, so we can guide further with precision.

 

 

Take care, and have an amazing day!

 

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

I'm an HP Employee.


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