Keys sticking and not working

If your keys are sticking and not functioning correctly, there are a few things you can check or try:

1. Check for Physical Obstructions: Sometimes debris or dirt can get under the keys, causing them to stick. Cleaning your keyboard can help resolve this issue.
2. Keyboard Settings: Since you mentioned that you turned off 'sticky keys', ensure that other accessibility features like 'Filter Keys' are also turned off, as they can affect keyboard sensitivity and behavior.
3. Driver Updates: Make sure your keyboard drivers are up to date. You can check for updates in Settings > Windows Update.
4. Keyboard Sensitivity: If the sensitivity feels off, you might want to adjust the repeat delay and repeat rate settings in the keyboard settings.
5. Test with Another Keyboard: If possible, try using a different keyboard to see if the issue persists. This can help determine if the problem is with the keyboard itself or the system settings.

If the problem continues after trying these steps, it may indicate a hardware issue with the keyboard itself, and you might need to consider replacing it.

References:

• Keyboard Filter

Hi Smeltzer, Jacalyn,

Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A forum. I know how frustrating it can be when your keyboard isn’t working properly, so let’s try a few quick steps to get this sorted.

Step 1: Update your keyboard drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause keyboard issues. Here’s how to update them:

1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand Keyboards, right-click your keyboard, and choose Update driver.
3. Select Search automatically for drivers to let Windows find the latest version.
4. If Windows doesn’t find anything, visit your device manufacturer’s website and download the latest keyboard or chipset drivers manually.
5. After updating, restart your computer to apply changes.

Step 2: Use the On-Screen keyboard

While you’re troubleshooting, you can use the On-Screen Keyboard to see if everything works normally or not. You’ll open it simply by pressing the Windows logo key + Ctrl + O.

Step 3: Test in Safe Mode

Restart your computer and boot into Safe Mode:

1. Press Windows + R, type "msconfig", and hit Enter.
2. Go to the Boot tab, check Safe boot, and select Minimal.
3. Restart your PC. Once in Safe Mode, try typing in a simple app like Notepad.

If the issue persists here, it’s likely a hardware problem. (To exit Safe Mode later, repeat the steps above and uncheck Safe boot.)

Give these steps a try and let me know how it goes. If the issue continues, we’ll figure out the next best option together.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

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