Start with the simplest fixes first

Most keyboard problems are not hardware failures—they are loose cables, stuck keys, or settings that have changed. Before you assume the keyboard is broken, check whether it is plugged in firmly, whether your computer recognizes it at all, and whether the keys that do not work are physically stuck or just unresponsive in software. A surprising number of keyboards come back to life after you unplug them for 30 seconds and plug them back in, or after you restart your computer.

If only some keys are not working, the problem is usually debris under those keys or a driver that needs updating. If no keys work at all, the keyboard may not be connected, the connection port may be damaged, or the keyboard itself may have failed. The fix depends on which of these is true, and you can narrow it down in a few minutes without tools.

Key Takeaways

  • Unplug the keyboard for 30 seconds and plug it back in, then restart your computer—this fixes most problems before you need to do anything else.
  • If only some keys are stuck or unresponsive, the cause is usually crumbs or dust under those keys, which you can clear by tilting the keyboard and tapping it gently or using compressed air.
  • Check your keyboard driver in Device Manager (Windows) or System Report (Mac) to see whether your computer recognizes the keyboard at all.
  • Liquid damage requires when ready action: unplug the keyboard, let it dry completely for at least 24 hours, and do not plug it back in until you are sure it is dry.
  • If the keyboard is physically broken—cracked case, snapped key stem, or damaged port—replacement is usually cheaper and faster than repair.

Check the connection and restart

The first step is always to verify that your keyboard is actually connected. If it is wired, unplug the USB or PS/2 cable from the back of your computer and plug it back in firmly. If it is wireless, check that the receiver is plugged in, that the batteries are not dead, and that the keyboard is within range of the receiver (usually within 10 feet). Replace the batteries with fresh ones if you are not sure how old they are.

After you have confirmed the connection is solid, restart your computer completely. This clears temporary software glitches and resets the keyboard driver. Many keyboards stop responding because of a software conflict or a driver that has crashed, and a restart fixes it without any other action on your part.

Once your computer has restarted, test the keyboard by opening a text editor and pressing a few keys. If the keys appear on screen, your keyboard is working. If nothing happens, move to the next section.

Test whether your computer recognizes the keyboard

If the keyboard is plugged in and your computer has restarted but the keys still do not work, you need to check whether your operating system even sees the keyboard. On Windows, open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start button and selecting Device Manager. Look for a category called Keyboards. Click the arrow next to it to expand the list. If you see your keyboard listed there with no warning icon, your computer recognizes it. If the list is empty or you see a yellow exclamation mark, the driver is not working correctly.

On a Mac, click the Apple menu, select About This Mac, then click System Report. In the left sidebar, select USB (for wired keyboards) or Bluetooth (for wireless keyboards). Look for your keyboard in the list. If it appears, your Mac recognizes it. If it does not appear, the keyboard is not connecting to your computer at all.

If your computer does not recognize the keyboard, try plugging it into a different USB port. If you are using a wireless keyboard, try moving the receiver to a different USB port as well. Some ports are slower or less stable than others, and switching ports can restore the connection.

Clear debris from under the keys

If your computer recognizes the keyboard but only some keys are not working, the problem is almost always debris—crumbs, dust, or hair—stuck under those keys. You can clear this without taking the keyboard apart. Tilt the keyboard so the problem keys are facing downward, and tap the keyboard gently on a hard surface a few times. This shakes loose debris out from under the keys. Then flip the keyboard right-side up and test those keys again.

For a more thorough cleaning, use compressed air. Hold the can upright, insert the thin straw into the nozzle, and spray short bursts of air between the keys, working across the entire keyboard. Hold the keyboard at an angle so the air pushes debris out and away from the keys. Do not shake the can or hold it upside down, because that sprays liquid instead of air and can damage the keyboard. Spray for a few seconds, wait a moment, then test the keys again.

If a key is visibly stuck or moves slowly, do not force it. Prying on a stuck key can break the stem underneath. Instead, spray compressed air around that key and let it sit for an hour. The air may loosen whatever is holding the key down. If the key is still stuck after that, the keyboard likely needs replacement.

Update or reinstall the keyboard driver

If your computer recognizes the keyboard but the keys do not work, or if only some keys work randomly, the driver may be corrupted. On Windows, open Device Manager again, find your keyboard in the Keyboards list, right-click it, and select Update driver. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software. Windows will search for a newer version online and install it if one is found. After the update finishes, restart your computer and test the keyboard.

If updating does not work, try uninstalling the driver instead. Right-click the keyboard in Device Manager and select Uninstall device. Restart your computer. Windows will automatically reinstall the driver when it starts up, and this fresh installation often fixes problems that an update does not. Test the keyboard after the restart.

On a Mac, keyboard drivers are built into the operating system and cannot be updated separately. If your Mac recognizes the keyboard but the keys do not work, restart your computer in Safe Mode by holding Shift while it starts up. Safe Mode loads only essential drivers and can help you determine whether a third-party app is interfering with the keyboard. If the keyboard works in Safe Mode, a background app is the problem, and you should check your login items in System Settings.

Dry out a keyboard that has been exposed to liquid

If your keyboard has been splashed with water, coffee, or any other liquid, unplug it when ready. Do not try to use it or plug it back in. Liquid can cause a short circuit that damages the electronics permanently, and the damage may not be visible until you power it on.

Unplug the keyboard and let it sit in a warm, dry place for at least 24 hours. Do not use a hair dryer or place it near a heat source—high heat can damage the plastic and the electronics. Instead, place it in a room with low humidity and good air circulation. After 24 hours, inspect the keyboard for any visible moisture. If you see liquid inside, let it dry for another 24 hours. Only plug the keyboard back in once you are certain it is completely dry.

If the keyboard was submerged or if a large amount of liquid got inside, the electronics may be permanently damaged even after it dries. In that case, replacement is the safest option. Attempting to use a water-damaged keyboard risks damaging your computer as well.

Know when to replace instead of repair

Some keyboard problems cannot be fixed without taking the keyboard apart, and that is usually not worth the time or cost. If a key stem is broken, the case is cracked, the port is bent or damaged, or the keyboard has been exposed to liquid and does not work after drying, replacement is the practical choice. A new keyboard costs between $15 and $100 depending on the type, and you can have a working keyboard in a day or two.

If you have a laptop keyboard that is not working, the repair is more involved because the keyboard is built into the machine. Replacing a laptop keyboard requires opening the case and disconnecting the keyboard from the motherboard, which is a job for a repair technician unless you are comfortable with that kind of work. For a laptop, contact the manufacturer or a local repair shop for a quote before you decide whether to fix it.

Wired external keyboards are the easiest to replace yourself—you straightforward unplug the old one and plug in the new one. Wireless keyboards are nearly as straightforward: unplug the receiver, plug in the new one, and pair the new keyboard to the receiver following the manufacturer's instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my keyboard if only a few keys are broken?

Yes, you can continue using the keyboard while you decide whether to repair or replace it. The broken keys straightforward will not work, but the rest of the keyboard functions normally. If the broken keys are ones you use frequently—like the spacebar or a letter you type often—you may find it frustrating enough to replace the keyboard sooner rather than later.

What should I do if my keyboard works sometimes but not other times?

Intermittent keyboard problems are usually caused by a loose connection or a driver that is not stable. Try unplugging the keyboard and plugging it into a different USB port. If it is wireless, try moving the receiver to a different port or replacing the batteries. If the problem continues, update the driver as described above. If it still happens after that, the keyboard hardware may be failing and replacement is the next step.

Is it safe to clean my keyboard with water?

No. Water can damage the electronics inside the keyboard and cause a short circuit. If you want to clean the outside of the keyboard, use a slightly damp cloth and wipe the surface, but do not let water drip between the keys or into the keyboard. For cleaning between the keys, use compressed air instead.

Why does my keyboard work on one computer but not another?

The keyboard may work on one computer because that computer has a driver that is compatible with it, while the other computer does not. Try updating the driver on the computer where it does not work. If the keyboard is very old, the newer computer may not have a driver available, and you may need to replace the keyboard with one that is compatible with your current operating system.

Can I fix a key that is stuck down?

If the key is stuck but still moves slightly, try spraying compressed air around it and letting it dry for an hour. If the key does not move at all or if it moves but does not spring back up, the stem underneath is likely broken and the key cannot be repaired without replacing the entire keyboard. Do not force a stuck key, because that can break the stem further.