Solved Keyboard stopped working

[googs64]

I was typing on facebook and my keyboard stopped working - right in the middle of typing. I was typing, then I wasn't.

I rebooted and that did not work.

I uninstalled my keyboard and rebooted. It reinstalled automatically, and that didn't work.

Device Manager says it is working properly.

My keyboard is PS/2 Standard.

 

[googs64]

Another thing, its not just my browser, ive tried it in multiple programs.

 

[Harvey Meale]

Hi googs64,

Do you remember anything happening as your keyboard stopped working? Anything that can help us solve this problem? Were you downloading or installing anything or playing any games or on any particular sites (besides Facebook)? It's possible that malware could have caused this, but I'd like to see if anything else could have sparked this before running any scans.

Thanks,
Harvey Meale

 

[profdlp]

You haven't unplugged it or plugged it in while the computer was on have you? ('Cause you can't do that with PS/2.)

Not trying to make you feel dumb, but with USB so universally used these days it's easy to forget...

 

[googs64]

I guess I should clarify, i'm on a laptop and it is my built-in keyboard.

I had three tabs open in Chrome. FactPile, Facebook, and an article. The first two i visit regularly. I typed a shot paragraph response in FB, highlighted a sentence, then hit backspace to erase it. That is where it stopped working. I heard nothing, there was no error messages, it just stopped.

After I posted this thread, I ran Malwarebytes overnight (I haven't figured out how to run it in safemode without a keyboard though). Found 1 object in the registry, didn't fix.

 

[smarteyeball]

Does the keyboard still function outside of windows? ie in the BIOS

 

[googs64]

No it does not. I've tried to get into Safe Mode and it wasn't working then either.

 

[DocBrown]

A student had a laptop key stuck in the down position that was preventing any other keys from being used. Carefully test each & every key for being stuck or not.

 

[pebbly]

Another thing to try is remove the keyboard and gently clean the contacts on the ribbon cable and reinstall making sure the connector is push firmly home before snapping the clamp shut

 

[googs64]

I pushed the keys down and wiggled the keys around... I don't know if there is more to it.

I don't know how to get to the keyboard on a laptop, unless its just picking it apart piece by piece. I'll work on it tomorrow on my day off.

 

[windrider]

Make sure to look up a manual on your laptop, before you take it apart. Better than taking apart too much.
I have taken a few apart, and I like manuals on them beforehand.
Once my daughter is home, I have my own to take apart as the keyboard quit working all of a sudden also.
I already had her run Virus scan and Malwarebytes as well.

 

[smarteyeball]

Make sure to look up a manual on your laptop, before you take it apart. Better than taking apart too much.
I have taken a few apart, and I like manuals on them beforehand.
.

Definitely check the manual first.

Disassembling a laptop for the first time can be a little daunting. Read the manual and take it slow, as some laptops and their wires vary in their lengths and it's relatively easy to 'yank out' a few wires.

Removing/replacing a laptops keyboard isn't that hard, but it can be quite tricky when done for the first time.

 

[googs64]

Took it apart. Unplugged/plugged in all the connections... and it works now. Thanks guys!

 

[DocBrown]

Took it apart. Unplugged/plugged in all the connections... and it works now. Thanks guys!

Congrats on your success

 

[smarteyeball]

Good to hear

 

[pebbly]

Took it apart. Unplugged/plugged in all the connections... and it works now. Thanks guys!

Sometimes it is the silliest things that go wrong with lappys , Glad we were able to help you

 

[windrider]

Glad it worked out for you.
As for me I have an Acer Aspire 3003, and after a couple days of searching, reinstalling software, I found out all I had to do was pull the battery. That affected the touchpad and keyboard.
All is working great now for me also. But I guess i need to buy a new battery.

 

[sweetwilldrums]

Pulling the battery worked for my frozen keyboard

Thanks to all who have posted on this thread. I am very grateful, especially to windrider for the common sense approach. I pulled the battery before attempting to dismantle the keyboard. Popped it out, slid it back in, powered the unit on, and I was able to type in my security password which wasn't happening before.

Very cool! Thank you very much! Blessings to you all.

Billy

 

[Fellwalker]

A student had a laptop key stuck in the down position that was preventing any other keys from being used. Carefully test each & every key for being stuck or not.

Well that was a relief. Thank you. My down arrow key was stuck. I'd been having trouble with my external keyboard, as it is much older than the laptop; I thought they might have been related but thankfully read your message after many posts suggesting re-installing all sorts of stuff, taking apart the laptop, and playing with registry entries (the last two of which I avoid unless there is no other way).