- Keyboard issues in Windows 11 are common due to driver malfunction and errors, impacting day-to-day usage.
- Solutions to fix keyboard problems include restarting the PC to reload drivers, trying different USB ports, uninstalling and reinstalling keyboard drivers, and modifying registry values.
- It is essential to ensure the keyboard's condition and follow the provided steps carefully to resolve the keyboard not working error in Windows 11.
Windows 11 is the new offering from Microsoft, and the stable release wonโt have major problems in day-to-day usage. The keyboard is a crucial component in a PC, and it may fail to work randomly, which happens from time to time. Of course, Windows software has a history to disconnect peripherals due to driver malfunction and errors. There are numerous ways to resolve the keyboard issues in Windows 11 and allow us to show you the way.
Fix Keyboard Not Working in Windows 11
The Windows 11 edition is an upgrade from the previous version, and it has similar flaws that were present in Windows 10. You donโt have to battle with the machine to resolve the issues and perform simple actions to identify the culprit. Ensure that the keyboard is not faulty and is in good working condition. Double-check the peripheral condition by connecting it to another machine and find out its current condition. Let me give you a few reasons why keyboards donโt work properly in Windows 11.
- Driver issue
- USB port issue
- Operating system updates
- Faulty peripheral
I will show you a few easy-to-apply solutions and then introduce you to advanced solutions to fix the keyboard in Windows 11.
Restart Windows 11 PC
Do not disconnect the peripheral and restart the machine to dump the old temp files and start the afresh session. Rebooting the PC will force the software to load the drivers again, which results in fixing the core element in the process.
Step 1: Press the โStartโ key on the keyboard.
Step 2: Tap on the power button located at the bottom left side.
Step 3: Choose โRestartโ from the drop-down menu.
Step 4: Your PC will restart.
Make sure to close all tabs and save the tasks to prevent data loss. Never underestimate the reboot sequence because it does wonders when you have a non-working function on the PC.
Secondary USB Port
Almost all Windows PC has multiple USB ports in the machine and if you donโt have time to reboot or perform any other action then you can switch the peripheral to another USB port. I faced a similar situation a couple of days ago and fix the keyboard problem by plugging the board to another USB port.
Itโs a simple solution that anyone can apply, and I never used that USB port before, so Dell Keyboard installed the drivers on it. Always connect the keyboard to an alternative port that hasnโt been used in the past.
Uninstall Keyboard Drivers
Expensive keyboards come with proprietary programs to manage, control, and modify the features. Basic keyboards in the market donโt have the luxury and end up going on without a dedicated program. In such cases, you can remove the basic drivers designed for it, and then reconnect the keyboard to re-install the drivers again.
Step 1: Remove the keyboard from the PC.
Step 2: Press the โStartโ key on the keyboard and click on โSettingsโ to open it.
Step 3: Choose โBluetooth & Devicesโ to continue.
Step 4: Choose โDevicesโ to continue.
Step 5: You will find keyboard drivers under โInput.โ
Step 6: Click on the three-dot settings to reveal more options.
Step 7: Click on โRemove deviceโ.
Restart the PC and then connect the keyboard again, so it can install the basic drivers. I could have uninstalled the drivers from Device Manager, but itโs convenient to perform the same action from Settings.
Change Value in Regedit
Keyboard problems are generally caused by issues with the kernel or drivers on your computer. Do not implement the solution without confirming the peripheral condition and before applying the solutions, I have listed above.
Step 1: Click on the โWindowsโ icon to get started.
Step 2: Select โSettingsโ will appear in the โBest Matchโ.
Note: If you are unable to find it, type โSettingsโ in the above search bar.
Step 3: Select โAccessibilityโ available on the left-hand side of the navigation bar.
Step 4: Scroll down then select โKeyboardโ available in the โInteractionโ option.
Step 5: Scroll down then turn on โOn-screen Keyboardโ.
Note: On-screen keyboard will help you do the further process to rectify the keyboard problem issue.
Step 6: Press the Windows key then type โRunโ and hit enter.
Note: To type Run in windows, the search bar will be available in the windows section.
Step 7: Type โregeditโ then hit enter.
Note: New pop-up will arrive in the right-hand bottom. Type โregeditโ in the โOpenโ section.
Step 8: The registry Editor page will appear on your screen.
Step 9: Click and Select โHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINEโ from the โComputerโ section.
Note: โHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINEโ option is available on the left-hand side of the options.
Step 10: Click on the โSystemโ option available in the โHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINEโ option.
Step 11: Click on โCurrentControlSetโ option available in the โSystemโ option.
Step 12: Click on the โServicesโ option available in the โCurrentControlSetโ option.
Step 13: Click on โi8042prtโ option available in the โServicesโ.
Note: Make sure to scroll down and search until the option is available.
Step 14: Double click on โStartโ.
Step 15: Change the value data to โ1โ then hit โOKโ.
Note: A new pop-up window will show up on the screen with the title โEdit DWORD (32-bit) Valueโ.
Step 16: Make sure to change the value to โ1โ.
Do not worry about the adverse effect on the PC after applying the solution because you can always revert by following the same tutorial.
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Conclusion
Basic keyboards are designed to work flawlessly on Windows OS, and they contain drivers in the device itself. You donโt have to install additional drivers until or unless the manufacturer has listed them on the official site. As for gaming keyboards, I recommend the readers uninstall the proprietary program and then remove the drivers as well. Windows equipped the software with Microsoft Basic Drivers, so basic functionality shouldnโt be a problem.