Have you ever encountered a situation where your keyboard suddenly stops working? This can be very frustrating, especially when you’re trying to complete a task or meet a deadline. So, how can you unlock your keyboard on Windows 10?
Disable Filter Keys by going to Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard and setting the feature to ‘Off.’ You can also disable NumLock and update or reinstall the drivers via the Device Manager. If you need to type right away, turn on the on-screen keyboard via Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard.
If your keyboard isn’t working properly, don’t purchase a new one just yet. An unresponsive keyboard is a common error that has several straightforward solutions. Let’s look at the top troubleshooting methods for unlocking a keyboard on a Windows 10 computer.
How Do You Unlock the Keyboard on Windows 10?
Children, pets, and spilled coffee can all cause an unprotected keyboard to become unresponsive.
Whether it’s an accidental key press, a software glitch, or a faulty driver, one thing is for sure — a locked keyboard is alarming, frustrating, and inconvenient. So, what methods are available when you need to unlock your keyboard?
Let’s go through the most straightforward troubleshooting methods you can try. But first, make sure to double-check your hardware.
Double-Check Your Hardware
It’s best to inspect your keyboard before jumping into the troubleshooting methods below.
Double-check your hardware to see whether the entire keyboard is unresponsive or just a few keys are broken. If you have an external USB keyboard, you can connect it to another computer or laptop to see if it works.
If the keyboard doesn’t work on another device, it may have physical damage. Inspect the keys and power cord for any wear and tear.
You may have a software issue if the problem resolves itself when you connect to a different device. If that’s the case, move on to the following troubleshooting methods to fix your issue.
Method 1: Disable Filter Keys
If your entire keyboard is unresponsive, you may have enabled the Filter Keys function by accident. This is an accessibility feature in Windows to help individuals type more easily or accurately. Unfortunately, it can cause your keyboard to ignore keystrokes or become unresponsive.
Holding down the Shift key for 8 seconds will cause an alert notification, and it’ll turn on the Filter Keys feature. Use the following instructions to disable Filter Keys:
- Launch the Start Menu and click the Gear Icon in the lower-left corner above the Power Icon.
- Next, select ‘Ease of Access.’
- Select ‘Keyboard’ from the left-hand menu.
- Toggle the slider to ‘Off’ underneath ‘Filter Keys.’
Now, try typing to see if your keyboard is responsive. If Filter Keys wasn’t enabled or your issue isn’t resolved, move on to the following method below.
Method 2: Turn Off NumLock
If you can’t use the keys on the right side of your keyboard or the keys are acting strange, you might have NumLock enabled.
On some keyboards, activating NumLock can lock the keys on the right-hand numeric pad of a keyboard. On other models, the feature allows you to use various keys as a numeric keypad.
To address the issue, turn off the NumLock Key by pressing it again. Your keyboard might have LED lights to indicate when the feature is enabled or disabled.
Method 3: Update or Reinstall Your Keyboard Drivers
Outdated or faulty drivers can be culprits behind an unresponsive keyboard. Updating or reinstalling your device’s keyboard driver is a good solution that may resolve the issue. Use the following instructions to get started:
- Right-click the Windows Icon or Start Menu.
- Select ‘Device Manager’ from the drop-down. It is typically the fifth option from the top.
- From the Device Manager Window, expand or double-click ‘Keyboard.’
- Select your keyboard from the drop-down list.
- On the new screen, select ‘Driver’ at the top of the window.
- Click the ‘Update Driver’ or ‘Uninstall Device’ button.
If you choose to update the driver, allow Windows to search for and install the latest software or browse your device to select the driver to install.
If you choose to reinstall the driver, visit the manufacturer’s website to download and install a new driver for your model.
If the driver was the problem, your keyboard should be responsive and work as usual after updating or reinstalling.
Method 4: Use the On-Screen Keyboard
If your keyboard is still unresponsive after you’ve tried the troubleshooting methods above, you can use the on-screen keyboard for a quick fix. Here’s how to launch the on-screen keyboard on Windows 10:
- Launch the Start Menu and click the Gear Icon in the lower-left corner above the Power Icon.
- Next, select ‘Ease of Access.’
- Select ‘Keyboard’ from the left-hand menu.
- Turn the toggle next to ‘Use the On-Screen Keyboard’ to ‘On.’
The on-screen keyboard will appear on your display. You can use it to type until you can unlock or fix your keyboard.
Method 5: Restart Your Computer
A quick reboot may resolve minor issues if your keyboard is locked. Use the following instructions to begin:
- Launch the Start Menu and click the Power Icon in the lower-left corner.
- Click ‘Restart’ from the drop-down menu.
- Allow your computer to boot up and attempt to type.
If your keyboard is still unresponsive, you can use the on-screen keyboard from the login screen to type your password.
Method 6: Purchase a New Keyboard
Unfortunately, it may be time for a new keyboard if the troubleshooting methods listed above didn’t work. Your keyboard may be damaged or broken. Fortunately, you can find many great keyboards online (on Amazon) for nearly any budget.