Keyboard Not Working? Fix Unresponsive Keys and Wrong Layout
Fix a keyboard with keys that do not respond, type the wrong characters or lag. Covers cleaning, Filter Keys, layout, drivers and wireless issues.
Before replacing a keyboard, find out whether keys are failing in hardware or the system is misreading them. A keyboard test shows exactly which keys reach the computer.
Common causes
- Dirt or liquid under the keys
- Filter Keys or Sticky Keys enabled
- Wrong input language or layout
- Low battery or interference on wireless keyboards
Step-by-step fix
- Test every key — Use the keyboard test to see which keys do not register at all.
- Clean the keyboard — Turn it upside down, shake gently and use compressed air between the keys.
- Turn off Filter Keys — In Windows Accessibility → Keyboard, disable Filter Keys and Sticky Keys, which delay or ignore key presses.
- Check the layout — Make sure the input language matches your keyboard (for example US vs UK, QWERTY vs AZERTY).
- Reconnect or replace batteries — For wireless keyboards, charge or replace batteries and move the receiver to a front USB port.
- Reinstall the driver — In Device Manager uninstall the keyboard under Keyboards and restart.
Tip: If the keyboard works in the BIOS or on another computer, the problem is software, not the keyboard.
Still not fixed?
If the same keys fail on every computer after cleaning, the switches or the membrane are damaged. Mechanical keyboards often allow single switches to be replaced.
Did this guide fix your problem?
Frequently asked questions
Why do some keys type the wrong symbol?
The input language or layout does not match the physical keyboard. Change it in language settings.
Why does my keyboard lag?
Wireless interference, low battery or Filter Keys. Test with a cable if possible.
What is ghosting?
When pressing several keys together causes some to be ignored. The keyboard test shows how many keys register at once.