If your keyboard is not responding, it can be an aggravating problem to deal with. Depending on the underlying cause of the issue, there are a few different troubleshooting steps that you can take to solve the issue. Below we outline some suggested solutions for Apple and Windows users.
For Apple Users:
1. Check your physical connections: Make sure that all of the USB and Thunderbolt cables are firmly connected to your keyboard. If any of the cables are loose, unplug them and plug them back in firmly. Ensure that the USB connection is firmly inserted in both your device and the keyboard.
2. Restart your computer: Rebooting your computer can sometimes help with resolving the issue. Doing so will reset the USB ports, which can give the keyboard the boost it needs to start working.
3. Check your System Preferences: On a Mac, open up System Preferences and click Keyboard. Under the “Keyboard” tab, ensure that the box next to “Enable keyboard shortcuts” is checked.
4. Test other keyboards: Try using a different keyboard to see if the same issue occurs. If the new keyboard works, then the issue may be with your specific keyboard model.
5. Change the language setting: On a Mac, go to System Preferences and then Language and Region. In the “Preferred languages” section, select Different language. Then select a different language, such as English (United Kingdom). After doing so, restart your computer and then try your keyboard again.
6. Use a USB 2.0 port: If your Mac has both USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports, try plugging your keyboard into a USB 2.0 port. This may help to eliminate any potential compatibility issues.
7. Update your OS: Make sure that your operating system is up to date. If the issue persists after trying the above solutions, then updating your system can help to resolve any underlying software issues.
For Windows Users:
1. Check your physical connections: Make sure that all of the USB cables are firmly connected to your keyboard. If any of the cables are loose, unplug them and plug them back in firmly.
2. Restart your computer: Rebooting your computer can sometimes help with resolving the issue. Doing so will reset the USB ports, which can give the keyboard the boost it needs to start working.
3. Check your device manager: Press the Windows key and R on your keyboard and type devmgmt.msc. This will open the device manager. Look for the “Keyboards” section and expand it. Ensure that your device is listed under “Keyboards”.
4. Uninstall and reinstall the driver: Right-click on the device and select “Uninstall device”. Once it has been uninstalled, restart your computer and the driver should automatically reinstall when you reboot.
5. Test other keyboards: Try using a different keyboard to see if the same issue occurs. If the new keyboard works, then the issue may be with your specific keyboard model.
6. Check for an update: Go into your device manager and look for an update for your keyboard driver. If there is one available, install it and then try your keyboard again.
7. Update your OS: Make sure that your operating system is up to date. If the issue persists after trying the above solutions, then updating your system can help to resolve any underlying software issues.