Keyboard not recognized - driver installation failure

Question

Hello.

I have the A4Tech keyboard FK11, that needs no extra drivers. Today it stopped working. In the device manager it is shown as an unknown keyboard . When I tried to update the driver I got this error: "Windows found a driver for this device, but there was a problem during the installation. Hotkey Keyboard Class filter driver In the driver installation file for this device an important entry is missing. Please contact the hardwareproducers.".

Deleting the keyboard and restarting PC didn't help. Deleting lines from the registry also didn't work. When I choose to "let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer" and install "HID Keyboard Device", they are installed, but the keyboard still won't work.

Fun fact: it works in BIOS and in the recovery mode. In standard mode the FN key works with the functional keys (F1-F12)!

PS The keyboard works with other PC.

Can you help me?

Answer 1

There was a recent problem with a Windows update that caused the keyboard not to work when you start the PC, please try restarting (not shut down) your PC to check if the keyboard is then working correctly after a restart.

If not, open Command Prompt, then paste this command and press Enter:

msdt.exe -id KeyboardDiagnostic

Run that Keyboard Troubleshooter to see if that can solve the problem.

Answer 2

It seems you are experiencing a driver installation issue with your A4Tech FK11 keyboard, which is recognized as an unknown device in Device Manager. Since the keyboard works in BIOS and recovery mode, the problem likely lies with the Windows drivers or settings rather than a hardware failure.

Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot the issue:

1. Uninstall the Device: In Device Manager, right-click on the unknown keyboard and select "Uninstall device." After uninstalling, restart your computer. Windows should automatically reinstall the appropriate drivers upon reboot.
2. Check for Windows Updates: Make sure your Windows is up to date. Sometimes, driver updates are included in Windows updates that can resolve compatibility issues.
3. Install Generic Drivers: If the automatic installation does not work, you can try manually installing the generic HID keyboard driver:
   • Right-click on the unknown keyboard in Device Manager.
   • Select "Update driver" and then choose "Browse my computer for drivers."
   • Select "Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer" and choose "HID Keyboard Device."
4. Registry Check: Since you mentioned that deleting lines from the registry did not help, ensure that you are not missing any critical entries related to the keyboard driver. However, be cautious when editing the registry as incorrect changes can lead to system issues.
5. Device Troubleshooter: Run the built-in Windows troubleshooter for hardware and devices. You can find this in Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters.
6. Contact Manufacturer: If the issue persists, it may be beneficial to contact A4Tech support for specific guidance regarding your keyboard model.

If none of these steps resolve the issue, it may be necessary to consider a hardware fault or incompatibility with recent updates or changes in your system.

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References:

• Code 28 - CM_PROB_FAILED_INSTALL
• Code 40 - CM_PROB_DRIVER_SERVICE_KEY_INVALID