Laptop keyboard not working
A loose connection, wireless pairing issue, or keyboard setting often stops keys from responding. Run the keyboard test first to see which keys register; nothing leaves your device.
Run the test first
Keyboard test
What the keyboard test checks
The keyboard test checks whether a key press reaches the page. Press keys one at a time and watch which keys respond in the test. It helps show whether the problem affects every key or only some keys.
A key that appears in the test has registered. If a key does not appear, press it again and check that the test page is active. The result shows what the keyboard sends to the page, but does not by itself identify the cause.
Tell which case you have
If no keys register, you may have a connection, power, pairing, setting, or hardware problem. For an external keyboard, check its connection. For a wireless keyboard, check whether it needs a reset or pairing again. The steps on this page cover these Windows cases, plus testing the keyboard on another PC and updating its driver.
If some keys work and others do not, note which ones fail. On macOS, Caps Lock and Media Eject may react slowly on purpose. If the wrong characters appear, the keyboard layout may not match your keyboard. The Keyboard Viewer can help you see which keys the system recognizes while you troubleshoot.
For a built-in Mac keyboard, check whether a low-battery alert appears. If keys seem to need a longer press, Slow Keys may be on. If mouse movement or clicks are affected by keys, Mouse Keys may be on. Use the steps for the case that matches your device and test result.
Why keyboards stop responding
A cable or wireless connection can be loose or interrupted. A wireless keyboard or receiver may need a reset, or a Bluetooth keyboard may need to be removed and paired again. Trying the keyboard on another PC can help show whether the issue follows the keyboard.
Settings can also change how key presses work. Slow Keys can delay a response, Mouse Keys can use the keyboard to control the pointer, and the wrong layout can produce unexpected characters. On Windows, an outdated driver may be involved, so the page includes driver update steps.
What to do after the test
Start with the step that matches the result: check the connection, reset or pair a wireless keyboard, review the relevant macOS setting, or check the layout. If the keyboard works on another PC, the original computer may be the source of the problem. If it fails there too, the keyboard itself may be involved.
The listed steps include checking the hardware and trying another PC, but they do not include a repair or warranty process. If the keyboard still fails after those checks, use the device maker's support or repair options to decide what to do next.
Steps
Other checks
No steps for this system in this section. Choose All systems to see them.
Reconnect the keyboard and check the hardware
Unplug the USB cable, wait for Windows to unload the driver, and plug it in again. Try another USB port, give a USB hub power or plug the keyboard straight into the PC, look for damaged cables, charge or replace batteries, and check that dirt does not block keys.
Source: Mouse and keyboard problems in Windows, Microsoft Support, checked November 6, 2026
Reset a wireless keyboard or its receiver
Press the Reset button on the bottom of the keyboard or on its USB receiver. For a receiver, unplug it, wait about 10 seconds and plug it in again.
Source: Mouse and keyboard problems in Windows, Microsoft Support, checked November 6, 2026
Bluetooth keyboard: remove it and pair it again
Charge the keyboard, remove it from the list and add it again. Turning Bluetooth off for 10 seconds and on again can also help.
Source: Troubleshoot Bluetooth not connecting in Windows, Microsoft Support, checked November 6, 2026
Try the keyboard on another PC
If it does not work there either, you may need to replace it. Some devices need a driver, so make sure the right one is installed on the other PC.
Source: Mouse and keyboard problems in Windows, Microsoft Support, checked November 6, 2026
Update the driver with Windows Update
Check for updates and install what is offered.
Source: Mouse and keyboard problems in Windows, Microsoft Support, checked November 6, 2026
Update the driver in Device Manager
Open the device's category, double-click the keyboard, and update the driver.
Source: Mouse and keyboard problems in Windows, Microsoft Support, checked November 6, 2026
External keyboard: no keys work
For Bluetooth, make sure it is on and charged and Bluetooth is on, then disconnect and connect again. Reseat the connector, try another port or Mac, and try another keyboard. If it works elsewhere, the Mac may need repair.
Source: If your Mac doesn't respond to key presses, Apple Support, checked November 6, 2026
Built-in keyboard: look for a low-battery alert
A low-battery alert may be hidden from view. Connect the Mac to power, or connect an external keyboard, to show it.
Source: If your Mac doesn't respond to key presses, Apple Support, checked November 6, 2026
Caps Lock and Media Eject react slowly on purpose
Hold Media Eject until its icon appears on the screen, or hold Caps Lock until its light comes on.
Source: If your Mac doesn't respond to key presses, Apple Support, checked November 6, 2026
Turn off Slow Keys
Slow Keys makes the keyboard wait before it accepts a key press.
Source: If your Mac doesn't respond to key presses, Apple Support, checked November 6, 2026
Turn off Mouse Keys
Mouse Keys makes some keys move the pointer. You can also press Option-Command-F5 and clear Mouse Keys.
Source: If your Mac doesn't respond to key presses, Apple Support, checked November 6, 2026
Pick the right keyboard layout
Turn on the Input menu in the menu bar, open it, and select the layout that matches your keyboard.
Source: If your Mac doesn't respond to key presses, Apple Support, checked November 6, 2026
Use the Keyboard Viewer while you troubleshoot
Keyboard Viewer lets you click keys with the mouse or trackpad if the physical keyboard still fails.
Source: If your Mac doesn't respond to key presses, Apple Support, checked November 6, 2026
Questions
Is this a hearing or health test?
No. The keyboard test checks whether key presses register on the page. It does not assess health.
Why does the test miss a key I pressed?
The key may not be reaching the page, or the page may not be active. Try pressing it again, then check the connection and the steps for your device.
Why do the wrong characters appear?
The keyboard layout may not match the keyboard. Check the layout steps and use the Keyboard Viewer while troubleshooting on macOS.
Why do Caps Lock or Media Eject respond slowly on my Mac?
If other keys also seem delayed, check the Slow Keys setting in the macOS steps.
Can the test tell me whether I need a new keyboard?
The test shows which key presses register, but it cannot identify the cause by itself. Try the listed connection and troubleshooting steps, including testing the keyboard on another PC, before seeking repair or replacement advice.