dell keyboard stopped working

Question

keyboard won't type or respond yet mouse works

performed numerous online tips: restart, move usb receiver, etc. to no avail

Answer 1

Hi! Let me help you.

Have you tried using it on another machine to test the functionality of the wireless keyboard?

Answer 2

Try these steps in order, testing the keyboard after each step:

1. Basic hardware checks

• Unplug the USB receiver or cable for the keyboard, wait 10–15 seconds, then plug it back in.
• Try a different USB port on the PC. If possible, use a USB port on the back of the computer instead of the front, and avoid USB hubs, port replicators, or KVM switches by connecting the receiver directly to the PC.
• If the keyboard is wireless and battery-powered, replace the batteries or fully charge it.
• Make sure there is no visible dirt or debris under the keys; blow under the keys with compressed air.

2. Check if the keyboard itself is faulty

• Connect the Dell keyboard to another PC. If it also does not work there (no typing, no lights if it has any), the keyboard may need to be replaced.
• If it works on another PC, continue with driver checks on the original PC.

3. Update or reinstall keyboard drivers

• Press Windows key + X and use the mouse to open Device Manager.
• Expand Keyboards.
• Right-click the Dell keyboard entry and select Uninstall device. Confirm, then unplug and reconnect the keyboard so Windows reinstalls the driver automatically.
• Still in Device Manager, also expand Universal Serial Bus controllers and check for any warning icons. If present, right-click and choose Update driver.
• Alternatively, open Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates and install any available updates, including driver updates.

4. Wireless-specific steps (if using a wireless Dell keyboard)

• Look for a Reset button on the bottom of the keyboard and on the USB receiver (if present). Press reset on both to re-establish the wireless connection.
• Unplug the USB wireless receiver, wait about 10 seconds, then plug it back in to let Windows reload the device.

5. Test with another keyboard

• If another USB keyboard works fine on this PC while the Dell keyboard still does not respond (and the Dell keyboard fails on multiple PCs), this confirms a hardware failure of the Dell keyboard.

If after these steps the Dell keyboard does not work on any PC or any USB port, replacement of the keyboard is the likely resolution.

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References:

• Mouse and keyboard problems in Windows
• Your wireless mouse or keyboard does not respond or you receive a “The wireless <device name> signal quality is low” error message
• USB Keyboard or Mouse May Not Work After You Restart Your Computer in MS-DOS Mode
• keypad issue - Microsoft Q&A