How to Fix Laptop Keyboard Keys Not Working

If your laptop keyboard keys aren’t working, there are several things you can do to fix this issue. If your problem is that the keys don’t work when pressed, or if they are not making any sound when pressed, then the problem could be with the physical hardware or software of your computer’s operating system. Here are some tips on how to fix laptop keyboard keys not working.

The first thing you should do is press the Fn key plus another key in the same section.

If you have a laptop with a broken key, you’ll need to use another key on your keyboard as a substitute. You may not be able to do anything with that button if it doesn’t work, but we need to fix it first before moving on. We can do that by pressing Fn plus another key in that same section of your keyboard. For example, if one of your keys doesn’t work and is located above QWERTY, hold down both Fn and Q. This will turn off all of your special function keys so you can type normally again.

Then, when you’re done typing what you need to type, press Fn + Q again to turn them back on. (Don’t worry—your computer won’t reset or shut down.) The next thing you should try is looking for an icon on your taskbar: In some cases, clicking an icon on your taskbar could restore functionality to a key. Look for something like an arrow or wrench near where your cursor appears while typing; these are often indicators that there are options for how you want to interact with whatever application you have open.

Clicking those icons might solve your problem! Finally, try restarting your computer: Sometimes, restarting your computer can help resolve issues like these. Simply close out of any applications you have open and wait for Windows to reboot itself. When it comes back up, check whether your key works again. In case you are still facing same issue simply follow the below guidelines.

Lift up your laptop and remove the battery

Before anything else, If your laptop top is on simply shut down and remove your laptop’s battery. Unplug any peripheral devices from your computer and lift up your laptop. If you can see that your keyboard keys are stuck, press and hold a key until it clicks (as if you were pressing on a real keyboard) so you can free up any stuck keys. When you’re finished, put your battery back in and plug in any external devices. Turn on your computer and test all of your keys again. If your problem is not solved then move to the next step.

Next, lift your screen up from its bottom edge

Do not use excessive force while doing so. If a piece of plastic was preventing you from pulling up on your screen, take it out. If it’s loose, but stuck underneath your keyboard or trackpad, carefully pull it off with a flathead screwdriver and set it aside for later. Lastly, detach all other plastic pieces around your keyboard and set them aside.

At this point, you should be able to lift your keyboard off of its hinges—do so carefully. Once removed, check to see if any wires are frayed or broken. If they are, you will need to replace them before reassembling your laptop. Otherwise, put everything back together in reverse order and turn on your computer! Your keys should now work as expected!

Remove any screws or clips that are holding it down and then slide it off

If your keyboard is being stubborn, then try and gently pry it up from underneath. First, you’ll want to remove any screws or clips that are holding it down. In most cases, you should be able to do so by simply turning them out with a screwdriver. Once they’re all removed, pull on one edge of your laptop’s keyboard until it slides off. Try and avoid sliding anything along your laptop’s body; just focus on freeing up and removing your keyboard keys.

Finally, carefully remove all the excess pieces from under your keyboard

You should end up with something like what’s shown in Figure 7-3. On some keyboards, you’ll find a metal clip attached to one or more of these pieces; if so, remove them by pushing back on each side with your pry tool until they pop off. Then use your soldering iron (or if necessary, your pliers) to pull off each wire and lift it out of its hole at both ends.

Put everything back together, replace your battery, plug it in and turn it on!

If you took apart your laptop, put everything back together. Be sure to replace your battery and plug it in. Turn it on! Are your keys now working? If not, see if you can identify why by starting at step one again. Once you’ve got everything plugged in and working, you can proceed to step 3. It may be that some of your keys aren’t making contact with their designated spots anymore. A simple fix for that is a few drops of alcohol on each key. Let them sit for about 5 minutes then wipe off any excess with a paper towel. Now try typing again. If all goes well, your keyboard should work like new!

Final Words

If your laptop keyboard keys aren’t working, or are slow to respond, it’s likely that you need a replacement keyboard. Search for and purchase a new one on Amazon using search terms according to your laptop brand name and model number like dell inspiron 1520 keyboard or hp laptop keyboard replacement. It may also be worth replacing other components of your system in addition to your keyboard, like your hard drive if it is more than five years old. Once you have replaced all of these parts, consider reinstalling Windows from scratch—it will help ensure everything works properly and will improve performance. Good luck!