Why Is My Acer Laptop Keyboard Not Working In Windows 10 And How To Fix

Alright, so you’ve identified that your Acer laptop keyboard isn’t working in Windows 10. Before diving into more complex solutions, let’s start with some basic checks. These preliminary steps often solve the problem, saving you time and effort.

Reboot Your Laptop

First and foremost, reboot your laptop. It sounds simple, but you’d be surprised how many issues a quick restart can fix. So, go ahead and shut down your laptop. Wait for a few seconds and then power it back on. Check if the keyboard is working now.

Check USB Ports

If you’re using an external keyboard, the next step is to check your USB ports. Sometimes, a faulty USB port can be the reason behind your keyboard issues. To test this, unplug your keyboard and plug in another USB device, like a mouse. If the new device works, your USB port is fine. If not, try another port.

Test with an External Keyboard

Moreover, if the built-in keyboard isn’t working, try using an external one. This will help you determine if the issue is with the built-in keyboard or something more systemic. If the external keyboard works, you can be pretty sure the issue lies with your laptop’s built-in keyboard.

Disable Filter Keys

Next, let’s talk about Filter Keys. This Windows 10 feature can sometimes cause keyboard issues. To check, go to your settings and ensure that Filter Keys is turned off. If it’s on, disable it and test your keyboard again.

To disable the Filter Keys feature on a Windows 10 Acer laptop, you can follow these steps:

Method 1: Via Control Panel

1. Open Control Panel: Press Windows Key + X and select “Control Panel” from the menu.
2. Ease of Access: Click on “Ease of Access Center.”
3. Keyboard Settings: Scroll down and click on “Make the keyboard easier to use.”
4. Uncheck Filter Keys: Locate the “Filter Keys” section and uncheck the box that says “Turn on Filter Keys.”
5. Apply and OK: Click on “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.

Method 2: Via Settings

1. Open Settings: Press Windows Key + I to open the Settings app.
2. Ease of Access: Click on “Ease of Access.”
3. Keyboard: From the left sidebar, select “Keyboard.”
4. Disable Filter Keys: Toggle off the switch under “Filter Keys.”

Method 3: Via Shortcut

1. Shortcut Key: Press and hold the Right Shift key for 8 seconds. This will usually trigger a dialog asking if you want to enable or disable Filter Keys.
2. Select No: Choose the option to disable Filter Keys.

By following any of these methods, you should be able to disable the Filter Keys feature on your Windows 10 Acer laptop.

Note: The steps may vary slightly depending on your specific Acer model and the version of Windows 10 you are using.

Update Keyboard Drivers

Now, let’s move on to drivers. Outdated or incorrect drivers can cause your keyboard to malfunction. Open Device Manager, find your keyboard, and check for driver updates. If an update is available, install it and restart your laptop.

Here are some methods to update your keyboard drivers:

Method 1: Update via Device Manager

1. Open Device Manager: Press Windows Key + X and select “Device Manager” from the menu.
2. Locate Keyboard: In the Device Manager window, expand the “Keyboards” section.
3. Right-Click to Update: Right-click on your keyboard device, usually labeled as “Standard PS/2 Keyboard” or similar, and select “Update driver.”
4. Automatic Search: Choose “Search automatically for updated driver software” and follow the on-screen instructions.

Method 2: Download from Acer’s Official Website

1. Visit Acer Support: Go to Acer’s official support website.
2. Enter Model Number: Search for your specific Acer laptop model.
3. Download Driver: Navigate to the “Drivers and Manuals” section and download the latest keyboard driver compatible with Windows 10.
4. Install: Double-click the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to install it.

Method 3: Use Windows Update

1. Open Settings: Press Windows Key + I to open the Settings app.
2. Update & Security: Click on “Update & Security.”
3. Windows Update: From the left sidebar, select “Windows Update.”
4. Check for Updates: Click on “Check for updates” and install any available updates, including keyboard drivers if available.

Method 4: Third-Party Software

1. Download Software: Download a trusted third-party driver updater software.
2. Scan: Run a scan to identify outdated drivers.
3. Update: Select the keyboard driver and click on “Update.”

Note: Always make sure to download drivers from trusted sources to avoid potential security risks.

Check Keyboard Settings

Additionally, Windows 10 has various keyboard settings that could affect its functionality. Navigate to your settings and review them. Make sure everything is as it should be. If you find any discrepancies, correct them and test your keyboard again.

Here’s how to do it:

Method 1: Via Settings App

1. Open Settings: Press Windows Key + I to open the Settings app.
2. Ease of Access: Click on “Ease of Access.”
3. Keyboard: From the left sidebar, select “Keyboard.”
4. Review Settings: Here, you can review and modify settings like Sticky Keys, Filter Keys, and Toggle Keys.

Method 2: Via Control Panel

1. Open Control Panel: Press Windows Key + X and select “Control Panel” from the menu.
2. Ease of Access: Click on “Ease of Access Center.”
3. Keyboard Settings: Scroll down and click on “Make the keyboard easier to use.”
4. Review and Modify: Check or uncheck options like Sticky Keys, Filter Keys, etc., according to your preference.

Method 3: Via Device Manager

1. Open Device Manager: Press Windows Key + X and select “Device Manager.”
2. Locate Keyboard: Expand the “Keyboards” section.
3. Properties: Right-click on your keyboard (usually labeled as “Standard PS/2 Keyboard” or similar) and select “Properties.”
4. Driver Tab: Here, you can check driver details, update drivers, or roll back to a previous driver if needed.

Method 4: Keyboard Layout

1. Settings App: Open the Settings app by pressing Windows Key + I.
2. Time & Language: Click on “Time & Language.”
3. Language: From the left sidebar, select “Language.”
4. Keyboard Options: Click on “Keyboard” under “Preferred languages” and review or change the keyboard layout.

Method 5: Check Shortcuts

1. Settings App: Open the Settings app.
2. Devices: Click on “Devices.”
3. Typing: From the left sidebar, select “Typing.”
4. Review Settings: Here, you can review settings related to autocorrect, suggestions, and other typing features.

By following these methods, you can check and modify the keyboard settings on your Acer laptop running Windows 10.

Uninstall and Reinstall Keyboard Drivers

Furthermore, if updating the drivers didn’t work, try uninstalling and reinstalling them. Go to Device Manager, right-click on your keyboard, and choose ‘Uninstall device’. After that, restart your laptop. Windows will automatically reinstall the drivers.

Inspect for Physical Damage

Lastly, inspect your keyboard for any visible physical damage. Spills, crumbs, and dust can interfere with key functionality. If you see any debris, carefully clean your keyboard and test it again.