Member Avatar for jaime34ma

My laptop keyboard doesn't work at all unless I go into control panel and change any setting, such as cursor blink rate. Once I click apply, the keyboard will work again. Unfortunately it will stopp working again and I will have to go back in and do it again. If it gets too hot, changing settings doesn't work and I have to turn it off. I have removed the battery and replaced it, I have tried to update drivers, nothing fixes the problem.

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— both and are on the right tracks (motherboard-level faults vs a simple keyboard swap). Below is a focused, practical way to narrow the cause and fix it without guessing.

Start by isolating software vs hardware:

  • Reboot into the firmware/Setup screen (press the manufacturer key at boot) and try the keys there. If the keyboard fails in Setup, it is almost certainly hardware.
  • Boot from a clean external environment (Linux Live USB or Windows PE). If the keyboard works there but not in your normal Windows session, the problem is driver/software.
  • Try an external USB keyboard as a diagnostic only — it will show whether input works independently of the internal connector.

If the problem looks software/driver-related:

  • In Device Manager remove/uninstall the keyboard/HID entries and reboot so Windows redetects them.
  • Check for third-party keyboard/filter drivers (hotkey utilities, touchpad or laptop vendor utilities) and remove them; also check Ease of Access (Filter Keys) settings.

If the problem looks hardware-related:

  • Power down, remove power and (if you can safely) remove the main battery, then open the access panel and carefully disconnect and reseat the flat keyboard ribbon connector. Look for bent pins, corrosion or liquid residue. Compressed air can help clear debris.
  • Inspect the keyboard flex cable for cracks; if reseating helps intermittently, the cable or connector is suspect. Thermal sensitivity (works cold, fails when hot) points to a marginal solder joint or failing controller — that usually needs a board repair or replacement.

Recommended order (quickest first): firmware test -> Live USB -> external USB -> Device Manager uninstall -> reseat connector -> replace keyboard (cheap, if accessible) -> professional repair/warranty. Always back up important data first and take ESD precautions when opening the case.

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Member Avatar for rubberman

If it is still under warranty, get it fixed. If not, then whether or not you fix it, or replace the system, depends upon what is wrong and what it will cost to fix. My suspicion is that the keyboard controller is fubar, and you are going to need a new motherboard for the system. That is effectively replacing the system except for disc drive, RAM, and display. If out of warranty, that will probably cost more than replacing the system entirely with a more modern unit.

Member Avatar for hellosamsung

Keyboards are really cheap now normally £15 upto £30 for the rarer versions, Often when keyboards play up its the keyboard itself, probably 1 in 500 it is the keyboard controller i have been working in laptop/pc repair shop for over 10 years now and honestly only seen this about twice, But it does happen, I would suggest buying a new keyboard as for the sake of approx £20-£30 could be end of problem and youre confidence in your laptop could be restored, We sell many laptop keyboards for compaq and hp at our website shop, feel free to have a look and price up [removed advertising]

Edited by Ezzaral because: Snipped advertising link.
Member Avatar for rubberman

Keyboards are really cheap now normally £15 upto £30 for the rarer versions, Often when keyboards play up its the keyboard itself, probably 1 in 500 it is the keyboard controller i have been working in laptop/pc repair shop for over 10 years now and honestly only seen this about twice, But it does happen, I would suggest buying a new keyboard as for the sake of approx £20-£30 could be end of problem and youre confidence in your laptop could be restored, We sell many laptop keyboards for compaq and hp at our website shop, feel free to have a look and price up [removed]

Unfortunately, this is for a laptop. Unless the poster want's to lug around another keyboard, this advice isn't so helpful... :-(

Edited by Ezzaral because: Removed quoted advertising link.
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