Your laptop keyboard was working perfectly fine yesterday, but after installing the latest Windows or macOS update, some keys suddenly stopped responding. This frustrating issue affects thousands of users every time major updates roll out, but the good news is that most cases can be fixed without replacing your keyboard.
Step-by-Step Fixes
Step 1: Restart Your Laptop (The Quick Fix)
Before diving into complex solutions, completely shut down your laptop. Don’t just close the lid or use sleep mode. Click the power button in your Start menu (Windows) or Apple menu (macOS) and select “Shut down.” Wait 30 seconds, then power it back on. This simple step resolves keyboard issues about 40% of the time because it forces drivers to reload properly.
Step 2: Check for Stuck Keys and Clean the Keyboard
While your laptop restarts, physically inspect the non-working keys. Press each problematic key several times to check if it feels stuck or different from working keys. Use compressed air to blow around and under the keys. Sometimes updates coincide with physical debris causing issues, making you think the update caused the problem.
For a deeper clean, slightly dampen a microfiber cloth with isopropyl alcohol (70% or higher) and gently wipe around the affected keys. Never pour liquid directly on the keyboard.
Step 3: Roll Back or Update Your Keyboard Driver
Open Device Manager on Windows by right-clicking the Start button and selecting it from the menu. On macOS, this step works differently – skip to Step 4 for Mac users.
Find “Keyboards” in the list and expand it. Right-click on your keyboard device (usually labeled “Standard PS/2 Keyboard” or similar) and select “Properties.” Click the “Driver” tab. You’ll see two crucial options here:
- Roll Back Driver: If available (not grayed out), click this to revert to the previous driver version
- Update Driver: Choose “Search automatically for drivers” to find newer versions
After either action, restart your laptop again. This fix is ideal for Windows 11 and Windows 10 users experiencing keyboard problems after major feature updates.
Step 4: Disable Filter Keys and Sticky Keys
Recent updates sometimes enable accessibility features without your knowledge. On Windows, go to Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard. Turn off Filter Keys, Sticky Keys, and Toggle Keys if they’re enabled.
Mac users should check System Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard. Disable Sticky Keys and Slow Keys if active. These features are best used in specific accessibility scenarios but can make your keyboard seem broken when accidentally enabled.
Step 5: Run the Keyboard Troubleshooter
Windows includes a built-in troubleshooter specifically for keyboard issues. Navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters. Find “Keyboard” and run it. The tool automatically detects and fixes common driver conflicts and registry issues.
This automated fix is not recommended when you need immediate access to your keyboard for work, as it can take 10-15 minutes to complete.
Step 6: System Restore or Recovery Mode
If nothing else works, you’ll need to undo the problematic update entirely. On Windows, type “Create a restore point” in the search bar, click “System Restore,” and choose a restore point from before the update.
Mac users should restart while holding Command + R to enter Recovery Mode, then use Time Machine to restore from a recent backup. This nuclear option is best used in situations where multiple keys stopped working and you need your laptop functional immediately.
Likely Causes
Cause #1: Incompatible or Corrupted Keyboard Drivers
Major OS updates often include new driver architectures that conflict with existing keyboard drivers, especially on laptops from Dell, HP, Lenovo, or ASUS that use proprietary keyboard software. The update either installs a generic driver that doesn’t fully support your keyboard’s features or corrupts the existing driver during installation.
To check for this, look in Device Manager for any yellow warning triangles next to your keyboard device. If present, this confirms a driver issue. Visit your laptop manufacturer’s support website and download the latest keyboard driver specifically designed for your model and OS version.
Cause #2: Windows Update Bug or Known Issue
Microsoft and Apple occasionally release updates with documented keyboard bugs. In late 2024, Windows 11 update KB5032190 caused widespread keyboard failures on certain laptop models. These bugs typically affect specific key combinations or function keys rather than random keys.
Check Microsoft’s Windows Health Dashboard or Apple’s Support page for your specific update version. Look for entries mentioning “keyboard,” “input,” or your laptop model. If your issue matches a known bug, Microsoft or Apple usually releases a fix within 1-2 weeks.
Cause #3: Accessibility Feature Activation
Updates sometimes reset or enable accessibility features designed to help users with motor impairments. Filter Keys, for instance, ignores brief or repeated keystrokes, making it seem like keys aren’t working. Sticky Keys changes how modifier keys (Shift, Ctrl, Alt) behave.
You can quickly test this by pressing the Shift key five times rapidly. If you hear beeps or see a popup, accessibility features are interfering. These features are ideal for users who need them but confusing when activated accidentally.
When to Call an Expert
Contact professional help if you’ve tried all steps and multiple keys remain unresponsive, especially if they’re in the same row or section of your keyboard. This pattern suggests hardware failure rather than software issues.
Also seek expert assistance if your laptop is under warranty or if you’re uncomfortable with system restore procedures. Corporate laptops with encryption or special security software need IT department intervention, as DIY fixes might violate security policies or cause data loss.
If only one or two non-essential keys stopped working and you need a temporary solution, consider using an external USB keyboard while waiting for an official fix from Microsoft or Apple.
Copy-Paste Prompt for AI Help
Here’s a prompt you can paste into ChatGPT, Claude, or Perplexity for personalized troubleshooting:
“My laptop keyboard has some keys not working after updating to [your OS version]. The affected keys are [list specific keys]. My laptop model is [brand and model]. I’ve already tried restarting and checking for stuck keys. What specific driver should I download, and are there any known issues with this update for my laptop model? Please provide step-by-step instructions for my specific situation.”
Remember to replace the bracketed sections with your actual information for the most accurate AI assistance.