Why is my keyboard not working?

The short answer

Your keyboard usually stops working because of a loose connection, dead batteries, a software glitch, or a stuck driver — and most of the time it’s a quick fix.

Common reasons and fixes

1. Loose or bad connection

For wired keyboards, the USB cable may not be fully plugged in, or the port itself may be faulty. Unplug the keyboard, try a different USB port, and plug it back in. If the cable is damaged, that could be the problem.

2. Dead or low batteries

If you’re using a wireless keyboard, this is the most common cause. Replace the batteries or charge it. Many wireless keyboards have a small LED that blinks or turns off when the battery is dying.

3. Bluetooth or wireless connection lost

Wireless keyboards can lose their pairing. Turn the keyboard off and on again, then re-pair it through your computer’s Bluetooth settings. For keyboards with a USB receiver dongle, try unplugging and reinserting the dongle.

4. Software or driver issue

Sometimes the keyboard driver gets corrupted or confused after an update. On Windows, open Device Manager, find your keyboard under “Keyboards,” right-click it, and select Uninstall device. Then restart your computer — the driver will reinstall automatically.

5. Filter Keys or Sticky Keys turned on

Windows has accessibility features that change how your keyboard behaves. If keys seem unresponsive or delayed, you may have accidentally turned on Filter Keys by holding Shift for 8 seconds. Go to Settings, then Accessibility, then Keyboard to turn these off.

6. The keyboard itself is broken

If none of the above works, the keyboard hardware may have failed. Spills, drops, and age can all kill a keyboard. Try the keyboard on a different computer to confirm it’s a hardware problem.

How to fix it step by step

  • Step 1: Check the physical connection — replug the cable or try a new USB port
  • Step 2: For wireless keyboards, replace batteries or recharge and re-pair
  • Step 3: Restart your computer — this fixes more keyboard issues than you’d expect
  • Step 4: Check for driver issues in Device Manager (Windows) or reinstall keyboard-related software (Mac)
  • Step 5: Test the keyboard on another computer to rule out hardware failure

When should you worry?

If only certain keys don’t work, liquid damage is likely the cause. If the keyboard works in BIOS (the screen before your operating system loads) but not in your OS, it’s a software problem. If it doesn’t work anywhere, it’s time for a replacement.