How to Get Rid of a Locked Laptop Keyboard

If you’re typing and nothing happens, it’s likely that your laptop keyboard has locked. This can happen for a variety of reasons, from software glitches to physical damage. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to fix it.

The First Thing You Should Do is Restart Your Computer

This may seem like an obvious solution, but it can work if the keyboard is stuck because of a software problem. Restarting will close out the program and clear up the issue.

Check if the Num Lock Key is On

Some laptops have a numeric keypad on the right side that you can toggle on and off by pressing the Num Lock button. On other laptops, the numeric keys are actually dual-purpose buttons that can act as a shift key when pressed for 8 seconds. Check the Num Lock indicator on your taskbar to see if it’s enabled.

Ensure that the Scroll Lock Key is Off

Similar to the Num Lock key, the Scroll Lock button on some laptops can also disable the other keys on your keyboard, making it impossible to type anything. This is often activated accidentally, so be sure to look for it and disengage it if necessary.

Run a Malware Scanning Tool

If the keyboard isn’t responding, it might be a sign that malware has taken over your computer. In order to protect your personal data, you should run a malware scanning tool on the computer to make sure it’s clean. You can use the built-in Windows Defender Security Center, or a third-party antimalware program like AVG Antivirus.

Update the Keyboard Driver

Sometimes, your laptop’s keyboard drivers can become corrupted for a variety of reasons, including hardware failure, failed updates, and even malware. Fortunately, this is usually an easy fix and can be completed in just a few clicks. To update the keyboard driver on your laptop, start by opening the Device Manager by clicking the Start menu and searching for “Device Manager.” Expand the Keyboards section, right-click a keyboard listed, and select Update Driver or Uninstall device.

Try a Different USB Port

If your keyboard is connected to your laptop via a wired connection, it’s possible that it could have accidentally switched ports. Switching to a different port might help the keyboard to unfreeze. If your keyboard is wireless, you should also try removing the USB dongle and reinserting it.

Try a System Restore

If all else fails, you can always use the built-in System Restore feature to roll back your laptop to an earlier point. This will revert any recent changes that might have caused the keyboard to freeze. It’s important to note that this will remove any software, settings, or other changes made by you or the operating system since that restore point was created. If the laptop is still unresponsive after trying these simple fixes, it’s likely time for a visit to a local tech repair store, like the experts at uBreakiFix(r) by Asurion.