No keys on my keyboard work.
Question
No keys on my keyboard work.
Answer
This document
is for troubleshooting a keyboard that has no working keys and not
keyboards with some keys that work and some that
don't.
Test the keyboard outside Windows
In some situations a keyboard may not work in Windows because of a software issue or accessibility feature such as ToggleKeys. To help verify this is not the cause of the issue, reboot the computer and see if the keyboard num lock / caps lock can be turned on and off or you can enter CMOS setup.
If the keyboard is working as the computer is booting up the num lock / caps lock should be able to turn off and you should be able to enter CMOS setup. If this is the case something in Windows is preventing the keyboard from working. Try booting the computer into Safe Mode and see if the keyboard works in Safe Mode.
If the num lock / caps lock do not work and you are unable to enter CMOS setup something is physically wrong with the keyboard or the computer. Try the other suggested steps.
Verify keyboard connections
If this is a USB
keyboard and the keyboard is connected to a
USB hub, try connecting the keyboard directly into the back or front of
the computer.
Verify the issues you're experiencing is not a connection hardware failure by trying an alternative known working keyboard on the computer. If connecting another keyboard works. Shutdown the computer and try the potentially bad keyboard again. If the keyboard still fails it's bad and should be replaced.
If you do not have an alternative keyboard and this is a USB keyboard try the keyboard in a different USB port on the front or back of the computer.
New keyboard doesn't work
If this is a PS/2 keyboard and connecting multiple keyboards or a known working keyboard to the computer PS/2 port doesn't work unfortunately the PS/2 port is bad. Because this port is part of the motherboard for this issue to be resolved you'll need to replace the motherboard.
Alternative solution
If replacing the motherboard is too costly or not an effective solution you could also consider using a USB keyboard if USB ports are available on the computer.