Why are some of my keyboard keys not working?

Usually debris under those specific keys, an accessibility setting such as Filter or Sticky Keys, or an outdated driver. If only the number pad fails, check Num Lock; if the F keys behave oddly, check the F-Lock or Fn key.

How do I know if it is the keyboard or the computer?

Connect the keyboard to another device, or test another keyboard on this one. If the keys work elsewhere, the problem is software on your PC. If they fail everywhere, the keyboard hardware is at fault.

My number pad keys are not working. Why?

The number pad is almost always switched off by Num Lock. Press the Num Lock key once and try again before assuming a fault.

Some Keyboard Keys Not Working? How to Fix Them

Quick answer: If some keyboard keys are not working while others are fine, the cause is usually debris under those keys, an accessibility setting like Filter or Sticky Keys, or a driver problem. Test the keys to see which fail, then clean, change the setting, or update the driver.

First, see exactly which keys fail: open the keyboard test and press each one. Keys that do not light up are the ones to focus on.

Is it the keyboard or the computer?

This one check saves the most time. Connect the keyboard to another device, or plug a different keyboard into this one. If the dead keys work elsewhere, the problem is software on your PC. If they fail on every device, the keyboard hardware is at fault and the rest of the software fixes will not help.

How to fix unresponsive keys

1. Clean under the keys

Dust, crumbs, and grit block the contact under a key. Power off, turn the keyboard upside down and tap it, then blow compressed air into the seams around the dead keys. If liquid was spilled, that can corrode the contacts and may need a repair.

2. Check Num Lock, F-Lock and accessibility settings

If only the number pad is dead, press Num Lock once. If the F1–F12 keys do the wrong thing, toggle F-Lock or hold Fn. Then open Settings → Accessibility → Keyboard and turn off Sticky keys, Filter keys, and Toggle keys, which can suppress or alter presses.

3. Update or reinstall the keyboard driver

Press Win + X → Device Manager, expand Keyboards, right-click your keyboard and choose Update driver. If that does nothing, choose Uninstall device and restart — Windows reinstalls it on boot.

4. Rule out background apps

Restart in Safe Mode and test the keys. If they work there, a third-party program or a key-remapping tool is the cause. Check any keyboard customization apps for remapped or disabled keys, and run a malware scan to rule out a keylogger.

Why did some keys suddenly stop working?

A sudden failure after a drop or spill points to hardware. A sudden failure after a Windows update or installing new software points to a driver or a remapping tool. And if the number pad alone "stopped working", it is almost always Num Lock being toggled off by accident. If you are also seeing repeated characters, see our guide on a keyboard typing double letters .

Confirm the fix

After the fix, run the keyboard test again and press every key once. Each press should register cleanly with no dead keys left.