Can't use keyboard

Hi

Welcome to Microsoft community.

If Windows updates have caused your keyboard drivers to stop working and you can't use your laptop keyboard or any USB keyboards, here are several steps you can take to resolve the issue:

1. Use On-Screen Keyboard to Log In:

   • On the Windows login screen, there should be an Ease of Access icon (looks like a clock with arrows).

   • Click on it and select "On-Screen Keyboard" to bring up a virtual keyboard.

   • Use your mouse to enter your password and log into Windows.

2. Restore System:

   • Once logged in, if you have created a System Restore point before the updates, you can roll back to that point.

   • Type "Create a restore point" in the Windows search bar and hit Enter.

   • Go to "System Restore" and follow the prompts to select a restore point from before the update.

3. Uninstall Recent Updates:

   • If you suspect a recent update caused the issue, you can uninstall it.

   • Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View update history > Uninstall updates.

   • Find the most recent updates installed before the keyboard stopped working and uninstall them.

4. Update Keyboard Drivers:

   • Open Device Manager by right-clicking on the Start button and selecting it from the menu.

   • Find "Keyboards" in the list, expand it, right-click on your keyboard device, and select "Update driver".

   • Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software".

5. Uninstall Keyboard Drivers:

   • In Device Manager, under "Keyboards", right-click on your keyboard device and select "Uninstall device".

   • Restart your computer. Windows should automatically reinstall the keyboard driver.

6. Check for Hardware Issues:

   • If your keyboard is not working in BIOS/UEFI settings, it might be a hardware issue.

   • To check, restart your computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings by pressing the appropriate key during startup (usually F2, F10, DEL, or ESC).

   • If the keyboard doesn't work in the BIOS/UEFI, it's likely a hardware problem.

   • Disclaimer:  Microsoft provides no assurances and/or warranties, implied or otherwise, and  is not responsible for the information you receive from the third-party  linked sites or any support related to technology.  

     If you are going to modify BIOS Settings, please  back up all your personal files first to ensure you do not lose data.  

7. Use External Keyboard:

   • Try a different USB port for the external keyboard if you haven't already.

   • If possible, use a PS/2 keyboard if your laptop has a PS/2 port.

8. Safe Mode:

   • Boot into Safe Mode to see if the keyboard works there.

   • Hold down the Shift key as you click Restart in the Start menu.

   • Once in the Advanced Boot Options menu, use the arrow keys to select "Safe Mode with Networking".

9. Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE):

   • If you can't log in at all, you may need to boot into WinRE using a Windows installation media and attempt a repair or restore from there.

If none of these steps work, it is possible that the update severely corrupted driver files or caused a conflict that isn't easily reversible. In such a case, you might need to consider a repair installation of Windows or, as a last resort, a clean installation of Windows. Make sure to back up any important data by booting from a live USB or connecting your hard drive to another computer as an external drive before taking these more drastic measures.

Best regards

Derrick Qian | Microsoft Community Support Specialist