Laptop Keyboard Not Working? 8 Fixes, from Settings to Replacement (2026)

A laptop keyboard that stops working, types the wrong letters or has a few dead keys does not always need replacing. Many causes are settings or drivers. These checks tell you quickly whether it is software or hardware.

Software or Hardware? The Quick Test

Restart and press the BIOS key (often F10 for HP, F2 for Dell and Lenovo) at start-up. If you can move through the BIOS menus with the arrow keys and Enter, the keyboard hardware works and the problem is in Windows. If not, it is hardware.

8 Fixes for a Laptop Keyboard

1. Restart (not just sleep) to clear stuck drivers.
2. Turn off Filter Keys and Sticky Keys: Settings → Accessibility → Keyboard. Filter Keys ignores quick key presses and feels like a dead keyboard.
3. Check the language and layout: wrong characters (for example @ and " swapped) mean the layout is set to UK vs US. Settings → Time & language → Language.
4. Check Num Lock: on some laptops it turns letter keys into numbers.
5. Reinstall the driver: Device Manager → Keyboards → right-click → Uninstall device, then restart.
6. Clean under the keys: turn the laptop upside down and use short bursts of air.
7. Liquid spill: switch off at once, unplug, remove the battery if possible and let it dry for at least 48 hours before trying again.
8. Replace the keyboard if keys fail in the BIOS too, or after liquid damage.

Keyboard Replacement Prices

Some photos are reference images of the product type, used under open licences. Image credits are on each product page.

Match the exact model (and whether it is backlit) printed under your laptop. More in HP keyboard and battery prices and Lenovo and Dell keyboards.

Worked Example: Only Some Keys Dead After Tea Spill

On an HP EliteBook 840 G3 the keys E, D and C stop working after a tea spill. They also fail in the BIOS, so it is hardware. After drying the laptop for two days the keys still fail; the technician fits a new 840 G3 backlit keyboard and every key works again.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Buying a keyboard for the wrong model or generation.
• Switching on a laptop straight after a spill.
• Prying keycaps off with a screwdriver.
• Assuming hardware failure before checking Filter Keys and layout.

Not sure which one fits? Send us your details on WhatsApp or through the product page and we will help you choose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my laptop keyboard not typing?

Filter Keys, a stuck driver, a loose cable or liquid damage; test in the BIOS to tell software from hardware.

Why are some keys not working on my laptop?

Usually dirt or liquid under those keys, or a worn keyboard.

Why does my keyboard type wrong characters?

The keyboard layout or language is set wrong, or Num Lock is on.

How much is a laptop keyboard replacement in Kenya?

HP EliteBook keyboards on Buy More Mall start from KSh 1,500.

Can I use an external keyboard instead?

Yes, a USB or wireless keyboard works while you arrange a repair.

Prices shown are regular prices on Buy More Mall. Many products are currently on offer, so open the product page to see today's price.

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