Losing the use of the keyboard in the middle of a time crunch can be highly frustrating. If you tried restarting your computer and it’s still not fixed, you may not have to run to a laptop repair shop right away. The following are a few solutions to try first.

How to Troubleshoot Your Laptop Keyboard

1. Determine If It’s Hardware or Software

You should first isolate the problem before trying to resolve it. Start by restarting the computer. While it’s rebooting, repeatedly press the Delete, F2, F8, or F12 key. One of these should get you to the BIOS screen, which accesses the computer’s software information. If you don’t enter the BIOS after trying all the keys, then it’s likely a hardware problem, and should be taken to a laptop repair specialist. If you enter the BIOS, then it is a software problem.

2. Uninstall the Keyboard Driver

Open the Start menu and type in Device Manager. Open the keyboard section by clicking on the arrow. Right-click on the icon of your keyboard, and then select “Properties” from the drop-down menu. Click the Driver tab and click the “Uninstall” button. This will remove the software associated with the keyboard. Restart the computer, and it will assign default drivers back to the keyboard. It should auto-detect the correct drivers and reinstall them for you.

3. Manual Adjustments

If the two fixes above don’t resolve the issue, there may be some other glitch. Turn the keyboard upside down to empty any crumbs that may be caught between the keys, as salt can disrupt electrical signals on the circuit board. If your keyboard is still not working, don’t try to open the computer to fix the problem manually. This will likely void your warranty and may short out the entire system. Take it to a laptop repair specialist to avoid further damage.

If you’re looking for a laptop repair specialist to fix your keyboard or any other laptop problems, contact the experts at Alpha Laser Richmond. For over 25 years, this company has served residents of all five New York City boroughs with their electronics maintenance needs. Visit their website to learn more about the company, and call (718) 317-1263 to speak with a representative.