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Keyboard Not Working, Not Detected, or Working Intermittently
External Keyboard
Laptop Keyboard
External Keyboard
1. Ensure that the keyboard is firmly connected to the computer.
2. Shut down the computer and disconnect the keyboard from the computer.
3. Ensure that the keyboard cable is not damaged or frayed.
4. Check the cable connector for any bent or broken pins. Straighten any bent pins.
5. Reconnect the keyboard to the computer.
6. If you are using a wireless or Bluetooth keyboard, reinstall the batteries. See the document that shipped with your Bluetooth keyboard for more
information.
7. If you are using a USB keyboard, try connecting the USB keyboard to a different USB connector.
8. If you are using a PS/2 keyboard, try connecting the keyboard to the PS/2 mouse connector.
9. Connect the keyboard to a different computer, if available.
10. If the keyboard works on another computer or connector, there may be a problem with the computer or connector. Contact Dell for further assistance.
Laptop Keyboard
1. Shut down the computer.
2. Restart the computer and test the keyboard.
3. If the keyboard is still not working:
a. Shut down the computer.
b. Disconnect all the external devices.
c. Test the keyboard.
4. If the keyboard works with all the external devices disconnected, reconnect one device at a time to identify the device that is causing the problem.
5. If a particular key is not working or is stuck, shut down the computer and carefully clean the keyboard using a can of compressed air.
6. Disable any software that may change the way the keyboard responds.
7. If the keyboard is still not working, contact Dell.
Related Information
Keyboard
Backlit Keyboard
Customizing Your Keyboard
Keyboard Connection Types
Using the Numeric Keypad on a Laptop Computer
Dell Knowledge Base Article: 277550
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