Start with the simplest fixes first

A keyboard that stops working usually has one of three causes: a loose connection, a driver that needs updating, or a setting that's been changed. Before you assume the keyboard is broken, check whether it's plugged in properly (if it's wired), whether the batteries need replacing (if it's wireless), and whether the keyboard is actually selected as your input device in Windows or macOS. Most keyboards that seem dead are actually just disconnected or switched off.

If your keyboard is plugged in and powered on but still not responding, the next step depends on whether you have a wired or wireless keyboard. The troubleshooting path is different for each, and knowing which one you have will save you time.

Key Takeaways

  • Check the physical connection first: wired keyboards need a find USB or PS/2 plug, and wireless keyboards need fresh batteries and to be within range of the receiver.
  • Restart your computer before trying anything else—many keyboard problems resolve on their own after a reboot.
  • If your keyboard works in the BIOS or login screen but not in Windows or macOS, the problem is a driver or software setting, not the hardware.
  • A keyboard that types the wrong characters or repeats keys may have a stuck key, a language setting change, or a driver conflict that you can fix without replacing it.
  • If nothing works, connect a different keyboard to confirm whether the problem is your keyboard or your computer's input port.

Wired keyboards: check the cable and port

Wired keyboards connect through either a USB port (the flat rectangular slot) or an older PS/2 port (a round purple or green socket, usually on the back of a desktop). If your keyboard is wired, unplug it completely and look at both the cable and the port it plugs into. The connector should be clean and undamaged, and the port should be free of dust or bent pins.

Plug the keyboard into a different USB port on your computer—not a hub or extension, but a port directly on the computer itself. USB hubs sometimes don't supply enough power. If you have a desktop with both front and back USB ports, try the back ones first, as they usually connect directly to the motherboard. If the keyboard works in a different port, the original port may be failing and you should avoid using it for other devices.

If you have an older PS/2 keyboard, the connection is more fragile. Make sure the keyboard is plugged in firmly and that the small metal clip on the connector is engaged. PS/2 ports can fail more easily than USB ports, so if switching ports doesn't help, try a USB keyboard to rule out a port problem.

Wireless keyboards: batteries and range

Wireless keyboards use either AA or AAA batteries, or they charge through a USB cable. If your keyboard is wireless and not responding, the first thing to check is the battery level. Open the battery compartment (usually on the back or bottom) and replace the batteries with fresh ones. Even if the old batteries look fine, they may not have enough charge to power the wireless connection.

After replacing the batteries, make sure the keyboard receiver—the small USB dongle that came with it—is plugged into a USB port on your computer. The receiver should be within 3 to 6 feet of the keyboard and not blocked by metal objects or other wireless devices. If the receiver is plugged into a USB hub or extension cable, move it to a direct port on the computer instead.

Some wireless keyboards have a power button or a pairing button on the bottom. Check whether the keyboard is switched on, and if it has a pairing button, press and hold it for a few seconds to reconnect the keyboard to the receiver. The lights on the keyboard or receiver should blink when pairing is happening.

Restart your computer and check Device Manager

Before you go further, restart your computer completely. Many keyboard problems are caused by a software glitch that a restart will clear. Shut down your computer, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Once it's fully booted, test the keyboard again.

If the keyboard still doesn't work, you need to check whether your computer recognizes it at all. On Windows, open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start button and selecting "Device Manager." Look for "Keyboards" in the list. If you see a keyboard listed there with a yellow warning triangle or exclamation mark, the driver needs attention. Right-click on it and select "Update driver," then choose "Search automatically for updated driver software." Windows will read and install the latest version.

If you don't see any keyboard listed in Device Manager at all, the computer isn't recognizing the keyboard as a device. This usually means a connection problem—go back and check the cable or wireless receiver. If the keyboard is connected and Device Manager is still empty, the keyboard's hardware may be failing.

Test the keyboard at the login screen and in BIOS

A keyboard that works at the login screen or in BIOS (the system setup screen you see before Windows or macOS loads) but not after you log in is having a software problem, not a hardware problem. This tells you the keyboard itself is fine and the issue is with a driver, a setting, or a program that's interfering.

To reach BIOS, restart your computer and press a specific key repeatedly as it boots—usually Delete, F2, F10, or F12, depending on your computer's manufacturer. Check your computer's startup screen or manual to find the right key. If the keyboard works in BIOS, restart normally and go to Device Manager to update or reinstall the keyboard driver. If the keyboard doesn't work in BIOS either, the problem is hardware-level and you should test with a different keyboard.

Check for stuck keys and language settings

If your keyboard is working but typing the wrong characters, repeating letters, or skipping keys, the problem may be a stuck key or a changed language setting. First, look at the keyboard physically. Press each key gently and listen for a click. If a key feels stuck or doesn't click, something may be lodged underneath it. You can try gently prying the key cap off (on most keyboards, they pop straight up) and cleaning underneath with a dry cloth or compressed air.

If no keys are visibly stuck, check your keyboard language setting. On Windows, go to Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region and make sure your keyboard layout matches the language you're typing in. If you see an unexpected layout listed, remove it. On macOS, go to System Settings > Keyboard > Input Sources and check that you have the correct language selected.

If the keyboard is typing correctly but very slowly or with long delays between keystrokes, you may have a driver conflict or a background program using a lot of CPU. Open Task Manager on Windows (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and look at the CPU column to see if any program is using more than 50% of your processor. If one is, close it and test the keyboard again.

Test with a different keyboard to isolate the problem

If you've tried all the steps above and the keyboard still isn't working, borrow a different keyboard and plug it in. If the borrowed keyboard works perfectly, your original keyboard is failing and will need to be replaced. If the borrowed keyboard also doesn't work, the problem is your computer's input port or a deeper software issue, not the keyboard itself.

If a different keyboard doesn't work, try the original keyboard in a different USB port one more time. If it still fails, your computer's USB ports or keyboard driver may need professional repair. At this point, you've confirmed the keyboard isn't the problem, and further troubleshooting should focus on the computer's hardware or operating system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my keyboard work sometimes but not always?

Intermittent keyboard problems are usually caused by a loose connection, low batteries on a wireless keyboard, or a driver that's not fully installed. Try reseating the cable or replacing the batteries first. If the problem happens only in certain programs, one of those programs may be interfering with the keyboard driver.

My keyboard works in BIOS but not in Windows. What does that mean?

It means your keyboard hardware is fine and the problem is in Windows itself—usually an outdated or corrupted driver. Open Device Manager, find your keyboard, right-click it, and select "Update driver." If that doesn't work, right-click again and select "Uninstall device," then restart your computer and let Windows reinstall the driver automatically.

Can I fix a keyboard that's typing the wrong letters?

Yes, usually. Check whether you've accidentally switched your keyboard language in Settings. If the language is correct, the keyboard may have a stuck key underneath—try gently removing the key cap and cleaning underneath it. If neither of those works, the keyboard's internal circuit may be failing.

What if my wireless keyboard won't pair with the receiver?

Replace the batteries first, then make sure the receiver is plugged directly into your computer, not into a hub. Press and hold the pairing button on the keyboard for 3 to 5 seconds. If the receiver has a pairing button too, press that as well. If pairing still fails, try unplugging the receiver for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in and pairing again.

Is it cheaper to fix a keyboard or buy a new one?

Most keyboards cost between $20 and $100, so unless your keyboard is high-end or mechanical, replacement is usually cheaper than repair. However, before you replace it, confirm the problem is actually the keyboard by testing with a different one. Many people replace keyboards unnecessarily when the real problem is a driver or a loose cable.