When keys stop working or the trackpad freezes, a laptop quickly becomes unusable. The good news is that many keyboard and trackpad problems are caused by settings, drivers or dirt rather than broken hardware. Try these checks before booking a repair.
Keyboard quick checks
- Restart the laptop. It sounds obvious, but it clears many temporary glitches.
- Test it outside Windows. Restart and press the key that opens the BIOS, often F2 or Delete. If the keys work there, the problem is in Windows rather than the keyboard itself.
- Plug in a USB keyboard. If that works, Windows is fine and the laptop keyboard is at fault.
- Check accessibility settings. Filter Keys and Sticky Keys can make keys seem slow or stuck. Look in Settings, Accessibility, Keyboard.
- Check Num Lock. On some smaller laptops, Num Lock makes certain letters type numbers.
- Check the keyboard layout. If @ and ” are swapped, Windows is using a US layout. Change it to United Kingdom in Settings, Time & language, Language & region.
- Reinstall the driver. In Device Manager, expand Keyboards, uninstall the keyboard and restart.
Sticky or unresponsive keys
Crumbs and dust are the usual cause. Switch the laptop off, turn it upside down and tap it gently, then use short bursts of compressed air at an angle around the keys. Don’t prise keys off, as the clips underneath break easily.
Trackpad quick checks
- Many laptops have a function key, often marked with a trackpad symbol, that turns the trackpad off. Press it to switch it back on.
- Go to Settings, Bluetooth & devices, Touchpad, and make sure it’s turned on. Check whether it’s set to switch off when a mouse is connected.
- Clean the surface, as greasy or damp fingers make trackpads jumpy.
- Install the latest touchpad driver from your laptop maker’s website.
A jumpy cursor
If the cursor moves on its own or jumps while you type, your palm may be brushing the trackpad. Many laptops let you lower the trackpad sensitivity in the Touchpad settings, which often stops accidental clicks and movement. On some laptops a faulty charger can also make the trackpad jumpy, so try it on battery to see whether that helps.
Keep it clean
Avoid eating over your laptop, and wipe the keyboard and trackpad now and then with a slightly damp, lint-free cloth while the laptop is switched off. Never spray liquid directly onto the keyboard.
When it’s a hardware fault
- A whole row or block of keys has stopped working
- Keys type on their own or repeat
- The fault started after a spill. See Spilled a Drink on Your Laptop?
- The trackpad no longer clicks properly or seems to be lifting. This can mean a swollen battery underneath, which is a safety risk, so stop using the laptop and get it checked.
Repair options
Laptop keyboards and trackpads can be replaced. On some laptops the keyboard is a separate part, while on others it’s built into the top of the case, which makes it a bigger job. An external keyboard and mouse will keep you going in the meantime, and many replacements are done in a single visit once the part is in. If your battery is also struggling, read Laptop Battery Draining Fast?. Find out more about our laptop repair service.
In short: restart, test with an external keyboard and in the BIOS, and check the accessibility, Num Lock and layout settings before assuming a fault. Dead rows of keys, keys typing by themselves or a lifting trackpad mean it’s time for a repair.
Need a hand? PC Masters offers a free diagnosis over the phone, a £59 same-day call-out across Luton, Dunstable, Houghton Regis, Harpenden and Leighton Buzzard, No Fix, No Fee, and a warranty from 1 month up to 36 months. Book online or call 0800 145 5521, Monday to Saturday, 9am to 8pm.