Keyboard not working

Question

Dell laptop keyboard not responding. Had keyboard replaced yesterday by Dell tech. Keyboard worked for a few hours and is now not working. Wondering if its a driver compatibility issue? Tried down loading new drivers but get an error message that update failed. How can I get this resolved? Currently using touch screen to type and its is highly inefficient

Answer 1

Hi Carol,

Thank you for sharing your question. I understand that your keyboard is not working. I am here to help.

Based on my knowledge, this happens if the driver is missing or needs to be updated or needs some tweak.

Here's how you can try to fix it.

See if it works in BIOS. Restart your laptop and hit F2 (or Del, depending on your Dell) to get into the BIOS settings.

 If it works there, the problem is probably with software or drivers.

 If it doesn't, it could be the hardware or how the new keyboard was put in.

 Plug in a different keyboard

Try a USB or Bluetooth keyboard with your laptop. If that one works, the problem is just with the built-in keyboard.

 Update BIOS, Go to Dell Support and type in your laptop’s Service Tag.

Get the newest BIOS and chipset drivers for your model.

Be careful to follow Dell’s directions when you are updating the BIOS.

 If driver updates don't work

If you get an updated message, run Windows Update first to get your system up to date.

Contact Dell again

May I also ask did you try testing the keyboard in BIOS or with another keyboard? This will help me figure out if it’s a hardware or software thing.

I hope this answer is helpful, if you have any questions feel free to reply.

Best Regards,

Noel

Answer 2

If your Dell laptop keyboard is not responding after being replaced, it could indeed be related to driver compatibility issues. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the issue:

1. Check Device Manager: Open Device Manager (you can search for it in the Start menu). Look for any warning signs next to the keyboard device. If there are issues, you may need to uninstall the device and then restart your laptop to allow Windows to reinstall the driver automatically.
2. Update Drivers: Since you mentioned that downloading new drivers resulted in an error, ensure that you are downloading the correct drivers from the Dell support website for your specific laptop model. If the update fails again, try using the built-in Windows Update feature to check for driver updates.
3. Check for Windows Updates: Sometimes, a Windows update can resolve compatibility issues. Go to Settings > Windows Update and check for any pending updates.
4. Use the Troubleshooter: Windows has a built-in troubleshooter for hardware and devices. You can access this through Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Keyboard.
5. System Restore: If the keyboard was working fine before a specific update or change, consider performing a system restore to revert your system to a previous state.
6. Contact Dell Support: Since the keyboard was recently replaced, it may be worth contacting Dell support again to ensure that there are no hardware issues with the new keyboard or to get further assistance.

Using the touchscreen is a temporary solution, but following these steps should help you get your keyboard working again efficiently.