Start with the simplest fixes first

A keyboard that stops working usually has one of three causes: it is not plugged in or paired, the keys are physically stuck or dirty, or a software setting has disabled it. Before you troubleshoot anything complex, check whether the keyboard is actually connected to your computer. If it is wireless, look for a power switch on the back or bottom—many keyboards have a small toggle that turns them off by accident. If it is wired, make sure the USB cable is fully inserted into the port on your computer.

If the keyboard is connected and powered on but still not responding, try unplugging it and plugging it back in after ten seconds. This resets the connection and fixes the problem in roughly half of all cases. For wireless keyboards, remove the batteries, wait five seconds, and reinsert them. If you have a second keyboard available—even a phone keyboard connected via Bluetooth—plug it in now to test whether the problem is the keyboard itself or your computer.

Key Takeaways

  • Check that your keyboard is plugged in or powered on, and that the cable is fully inserted into the USB port or the wireless receiver is in range.
  • Restart the keyboard by unplugging it for ten seconds, or remove and reinsert batteries in wireless models.
  • Clean the keyboard with compressed air and a slightly damp cloth, paying attention to the space bar and keys you use most often.
  • If a second keyboard works on your computer, the problem is your original keyboard and you may need to replace it.
  • If no keyboard works, restart your computer in Safe Mode to rule out a software conflict or driver problem.

Clean the keyboard and check for physical damage

Dust, crumbs, and dried liquid are the most common reasons a keyboard stops working partially or completely. If some keys work and others do not, or if keys feel sticky or unresponsive, cleaning usually solves it. Turn off your keyboard and unplug it from your computer. Hold it upside down over a trash can and gently tap the back to dislodge loose debris.

Use a can of compressed air to blow between the keys, holding the can upright and using short bursts. Do not shake the can or hold it sideways—this can spray liquid into the keyboard. After blowing out the debris, use a slightly damp cloth (not wet) to wipe the tops of the keys and the spaces between them. Pay special attention to the space bar, Enter key, and any keys you use frequently, because these collect the most dirt. Let the keyboard dry for at least one hour before plugging it back in.

If you spilled liquid on the keyboard, do not plug it in. Unplug it when ready, turn it upside down, and let it dry for at least 24 hours in a warm, dry place. Liquid damage often does not show up right away—the keyboard may work for a few minutes and then stop as the liquid reaches the circuit board. If the keyboard still does not work after drying, the damage is likely permanent and replacement is the next step.

Check your computer's keyboard settings

Sometimes a keyboard stops working because Windows or macOS has disabled it in the settings, not because the hardware is broken. On Windows, open the Settings app by pressing Windows key + I. Go to Devices, then Keyboards. Look for your keyboard in the list—if it shows "Not connected" or "Unknown device," right-click it and select "Remove device." Unplug the keyboard, wait ten seconds, and plug it back in. Windows will reinstall the driver automatically.

On a Mac, open System Settings and go to Keyboard. If your keyboard does not appear in the list, it is not being recognized by the computer. Unplug it, wait ten seconds, and plug it back in. If it still does not appear, restart your Mac—hold the power button for ten seconds until the screen goes black, then press it again to turn it back on.

If your keyboard is listed in settings but keys are not responding, the problem may be a stuck key or a software conflict. Restart your computer completely. This clears temporary software problems and often restores keyboard function without any other action needed.

Test your keyboard in Safe Mode

Safe Mode is a stripped-down version of Windows or macOS that loads only the essential software. If your keyboard works in Safe Mode but not in normal mode, a program or driver is interfering with it. On Windows, restart your computer and press F8 repeatedly as it boots up, before the Windows logo appears. Select "Safe Mode with Networking" from the menu. Try typing—if the keyboard works now, a program you installed is the problem.

To find the culprit, restart your computer normally and uninstall any programs you installed in the last few days. Start with keyboard software, gaming programs, or anything that modifies how your computer handles input. Restart after each uninstall and test the keyboard. On a Mac, restart and hold Shift as the computer boots. The login screen will say "Safe Boot" in the top left corner. If the keyboard works here, restart normally and check for recent software updates or new programs.

Update or reinstall your keyboard driver

A driver is software that tells your computer how to use a piece of hardware. If your keyboard driver is outdated or corrupted, the keyboard may stop working even though it is plugged in. On Windows, right-click the Start menu and select Device Manager. Look for "Keyboards" in the list and click the arrow next to it to expand it. Right-click your keyboard and select "Update driver." Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software." Windows will search online and install any newer version it finds.

If updating does not work, right-click the keyboard again and select "Uninstall device." Restart your computer. Windows will automatically reinstall the driver when it boots up. This often fixes driver corruption that an update alone cannot solve.

On a Mac, drivers are built into the operating system and cannot be updated separately. If your keyboard is not working, restart your Mac and check the App Store for any macOS updates. Install them and restart again. If the keyboard still does not work after updating, the hardware is likely damaged.

Determine whether you need to replace the keyboard

If you have tried all the steps above and the keyboard still does not work, and a different keyboard works fine on your computer, your original keyboard has a hardware problem. Mechanical failure, liquid damage, or a failed circuit board cannot be repaired at home. At this point, replacement is the most practical option.

Before you buy a new keyboard, decide what type you want. Wired keyboards are cheaper and do not need batteries, but the cable can be inconvenient. Wireless keyboards are more flexible but require batteries or charging. Mechanical keyboards last longer and feel better to type on, but cost more than membrane keyboards. If your computer is a laptop, you may want an external keyboard to reduce wear on the built-in one, or you may prefer to use the built-in keyboard and skip an external one altogether.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my keyboard work sometimes but not all the time?

Intermittent keyboard problems usually mean a loose connection or a driver conflict. Unplug the keyboard and plug it back in firmly, making sure the cable is fully inserted. If it is wireless, check that the batteries are fresh and the receiver is in range. If the problem continues, restart your computer and update your keyboard driver through Device Manager.

Some keys work but others do not—what does that mean?

This almost always means the keyboard is dirty or has liquid damage. Clean it thoroughly with compressed air and a damp cloth, paying attention to the keys that do not work. If cleaning does not help and you spilled something on it, let it dry for 24 hours and try again. If it still does not work after drying, the circuit board is likely damaged.

My keyboard lights up but the keys do not type anything—what should I do?

The keyboard is powered on but not communicating with your computer. Unplug it and plug it back in, or remove and reinsert the batteries if it is wireless. If that does not work, open Device Manager on Windows and uninstall the keyboard, then restart your computer. If a different keyboard works on your computer, your original keyboard has a hardware failure.

Can I fix a keyboard that got wet?

Do not plug it in. Unplug it when ready, turn it upside down, and let it dry in a warm, dry place for at least 24 hours. After it dries, plug it back in and test it. If it works, you are lucky—many keyboards do not survive liquid damage. If it does not work, the liquid reached the circuit board and the keyboard cannot be repaired.

Is it worth repairing a keyboard instead of replacing it?

For most keyboards, no. Repair costs are usually close to the price of a new keyboard, and a repaired keyboard may fail again soon. The only exception is if you have a very expensive mechanical keyboard or a keyboard built into a laptop—in those cases, professional repair may be worth the cost.