Computer Keyboard Problems Tips

Here are some tips about some computer keyboard issues you may experience:

Password not working

Assuming that you haven't forgotten your password and that it hasn't been changed, this is often as simple as your keyboard not typing what you think you are typing.

I had that just this morning. A panicked customer called, unable to log in to her main server. I knew the password has numbers in it and I knew she is a bookkeeper, so I asked if she was using the numeric keypad to type the numbers. She was, so I suggested she try using the numbers in the top row instead. That worked.

Your computer and keyboard can get confused about caps lock and num lock. Try typing where your login name is to check. You could also have a dead key - I discovered that a well used key on my keyboard went dead recently, and yes, that key is in my password. I had to hook up another keyboard to get by that.

By the way, don't plug or unplug an old style DIN connector keyboard without shutting off the computer. You probably won't hurt anything, but I've seen that blow motherboards. No problem with USB keyboards, of course.

Spilling things

People do spill things. I spilled a glass of milk onto my laptop a few years ago. That was an expensive drink; I had to have the whole keyboard replaced.

If it's just a detached keyboard, you can probably wash it out. It needs to dry thoroughly before you try using it again. That can take days, so you probably will be buying a new one even if this can be saved.

An even better choice us to have a can of electronics parts cleaner (Electrowash or equivalent) on hand. Flushing the keyboard ASAP might eliminate the damage. Electrowash is harmless to plastics and evaporates quickly, leaving no residue. It might have even saved my laptop, but I didn't know about that then.

If it's just one key that got gummed up, you may be able to do surgery, using a paper clip or two to pop off that key and clean the area with a wet Q-tip.

Even just crumbs can cause balky keys. Turn the keyboard over and burp it like a baby. Unlike a baby, you can also shake it while you bang on its back.

More details on cleaning keyboards at How to Clean a Dirty Old Computer Keyboard If You Spilled Water or Coffee on the Keys.

Strange characters

You may not realize that your keyboard doesn't actually send the characters it has in the keycaps. No, it sends codes that your computer interprets as specific keys. If you get strange results when you type, it could mean your keyboard is defective, but it can also mean that your computer is interpreting them incorrectly. That could come from accidentally telling your computer you want to use a Dvorak keyboard (look in Regional and Language Options if that ever happens to you).

You may have accidentally enabled an accessibility feature. Windows and Mac have a number of these features designed to make life easier for those with handicaps. Turning these on can create a very confusing environment if you don't realize what you did.

The keyboard driver could be wrong. That usually only happens when you attach a new keyboard, but you can search for a newer driver,

If you turn everything off for twenty minutes and the problem disappears but then returns again, it could be heat buildup from excessive dust or a failed cooling fan.

See Troubleshooting for Keyboard Problems for more tips.

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