Some keys not functioning (n, b)after someWindows 10 Updates

Question

I see several people reporting  this same, annoying, issue. 

Also note that the advice provided by the "knowledgeable techies" all suggest trying fixes for keyboard (hardware) issues, such as driver updates, etc.

I am not an expert, but by now want to suggest it is clear - after experiencing so many of these events - that it cannot be the hardware and that it must be some of the Windows Update 'tweaks' causing this ?!

No testing of the keyboard itself (Windows Troubleshooter, nor Driver Update checks -  which is the standard advice given to try first) has delivered and reported any faults. Nothing whatsoever wrong with the keyboards (I have tried up to 3 different keyboards ( some very expensive, state-of-the-art keyboards) to see if it is a keyboard problem   

This has happened to me on so many occasions that I have out of sheer irritation even disabled Windows Updates temporarily (which I do not like to do).

To wake up on some random morning, only to find the 'b' and 'n' on one keyboard not working  and on another keyboard find the entire top row of my keyboard as well as the whole row of Numbers not working,  is soul destroying. Usually on days with a busy personal schedule ahead of me!

Some fixes do a temporary job and manage to fix the issue.... but only until the next Windows Update:

* Setting the keyboard Speed Rate to MEDIUM in stead of 100% fast (this was reset and happened after Windows 10 Update too...  I did not touch it)

* Making sure NumLK is on

* Disconnecting USB Keyboard, LOG OFF and before restarting again, plugging USB back in so the "a new device is detected and reinstalled" ... checking for drivers in the process too) ... etc 

Could it not be that during some Windows Updates, several settings are reset to DEFAULT?  And to find WHICH ones are causing this is the trick ...?

Answer 1

There's what I think can be a possibly cause the issue:

"Driver updates may be bundled with security updates or feature updates, according toMicrosoft’s documentation**."

... I have blocked driver updates now so let's see if we're right David.

Thanks for your time and input

Ronel

Answer 2

Hi Rasir

Thanks for your response and efforts to try and help.

I worked through all Ramon's suggestions (followed the steps) but had no joy. I had previously tried some of these too.

The only one that I had not tried to date was to select and uninstall some of the most recent Windows Updates on the list, but could see no related updates (as in anything that could likely cause hardware changes for instance) that I felt I should maybe uninstall.

Still ... as I said before, I wonder if some settings do not automatically revert to default settings at the conclusion of some of the Windows Update sessions.  If so, this maybe won't show as 'updates' on the list ? 

Kind Regards - Ronel

Answer 3

Restart your computer a few times to see if it helps.

Open Start > Settings > Update & security > Troubleshoot

Scroll down

Click Keyboards

Click Run the Troubleshooter

When complete, restart to see if the problem is resolved.

Try connecting the keyboard to a different USB port if its a USB wired keyboard.

Press Windows key + X

Click Device Manager

Expand Keyboards

Right click keyboard

Click Uninstall

Exit Device Manager then restart

Reset your BIOS defaults:

https://www.groovypost.com/howto/reset-pc-bios-defaults-nvram-mac/

Try the keyboard with another computer to see if it works.

Check for the latest driver updates for your computer.

Try disabling the RAID settings in the BIOS If you have that configured.

Answer 4

Sometimes a new driver will mess things up.

I like to install drivers myself if needed.

To stop Windows Update installing drivers see this link--- 

https://www.howtogeek.com/302595/how-to-stop-windows-10-from-automatically-updating-hardware-drivers/

Answer 5

Hi,

Sorry for the inconvenience caused to you, Thank you so much for your valuable question please, I really appreciate your troubleshooting efforts RonelPreston.

Please tell me one thing that have you tried uninstalling the Windows update after which you faced this issue? If my understanding is right, I would suggest you to please see the below mentioned thread once please (if not tried before) and see it if it helps. I am hopeful that your query will be resolved, If the issue persists or if my understanding is different from your concern, kindly do let me know, waiting for your kind reply please. Please check the method given by Ramon Imp

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...

Please let me know, if that helps and feel free to ask back any question.

Kind Regards:

Yasir