How to fix an ASUS keyboard that’s not working

You’re typing away on your ASUS® laptop when suddenly, your keyboard has a mind of its own—keys aren’t responding, letters are out of place, or nothing types at all. It’s enough to slow you down, but don’t worry, there’s usually a fix—no keyboard smashing necessary. Asurion Experts are your go-to source for tech care, offering guidance to help keep all of your devices running smoothly. Here’s how to get your ASUS keyboard back in working order.

Common reasons for ASUS keyboard not working

If an ASUS laptop keyboard malfunctions, it's usually due to one of the following:

• System conflicts: Interference between the laptop's software or hardware may cause key issues.
• Drivers: Manufacturers release occasional driver updates to resolve bugs and system conflicts. Until you install the update, you may experience keyboard issues.
• BIOS settings: Improper BIOS settings may cause keyboard malfunctions. 
• Dirt and liquid spills: Dust and other grime can accumulate underneath keys, impeding their movement.
• Hardware failure: The keyboard or its connectors may be faulty. 

How to fix your ASUS laptop keyboard

You can troubleshoot an ASUS laptop keyboard that stopped working—even if you're not a self-proclaimed computer whiz. Try these solutions: 

Perform a hard restart

A hard reboot of your ASUS laptop clears temporary files and settings. It may be enough to resolve minor keyboard issues. 

1. Press and hold the laptop's Power button until the device turns completely off.
2. Allow up to 15 seconds to pass.
3. Press the Power button to restart the laptop.

Update or reinstall keyboard drivers

Keeping the keyboard driver up-to-date can prevent pesky issues that cause ASUS laptop keyboard malfunction. Start by seeing if there are any available updates for your existing driver. 

1. Type Device Manager into the Windows search bar of your laptop.
2. Open the Device Manager. Navigate to the Keyboards drop-down menu.
3. Right-click on the keyboard driver listed. Select Update driver.
4. Allow the system to install keyboard driver updates. 
5. Restart the laptop.

If your keyboard drivers do not have available updates, reinstall the existing driver. A corrupt driver can impact the keyboard's functionality.

1. Open the Device Manager and select Keyboards.
2. Right-click on the keyboard driver name. Select Uninstall device.
3. After uninstallation ends, restart your laptop. The system will automatically reinstall the original keyboard driver. 

Use ASUS Diagnostics for keyboard issues

ASUS Diagnostics can identify common hardware issues. It's a pre-built tool that comes standard with all ASUS laptops. To access it, restart your computer and follow these steps.

1. Press the ESC key while the computer boots up. Select Enter Setup from the window prompt that appears. This will take you into UEFI BIOS, which houses System Diagnostics.
2. Click System Diagnostics. A list of components appears. Click Check underneath the Keyboard icon. 
3. The system runs a quick diagnostic test. It will provide findings at the end of the test and recommend next steps.

Install Windows updates

Windows regularly releases updates for laptops running its operating system. Check to see whether any updates are available. Installing them may eliminate keyboard issues.

1. Select Start > Settings > Windows Update.
2. Click Check for Windows updates.
3. Click Download & install for any recommended updates. You may need to restart your device to apply the updates and test your keyboard. 

Test with an external keyboard

Do you have a spare keyboard you can attach to your laptop? Try plugging it into the ASUS laptop and see if your issues continue.

If you're able to use the external keyboard without any hiccups, there's likely an issue with the built-in ASUS laptop keyboard's hardware. You can continue to use the external keyboard until you're able to take the device for repairs.

Using an external keyboard may not resolve software conflicts. Move on to the next two troubleshooting options to pinpoint software issues if your ASUS keyboard is not responding.

Reset keyboard settings

Newly installed software may impact your existing keyboard settings. To restore them to your preferred settings, follow these steps.

1. Press the Windows and I keys to enter the Settings app.
2. Select Time & Language from the left-hand menu, then click on Language & Region.

All installed languages appear in a list under the Languages section. The first language listed is the one that corresponds to your keyboard. If it's not your preferred language, move the correct option to the top of the list. You can click on the language to drag it to the top position. 

Boot in Safe Mode to identify software conflicts

Try booting your ASUS laptop in Safe Mode to see if you continue to experience keyboard issues. 

1. Click Start > Settings. 
2. Click System > Recovery > Restart now.
3. A prompt may appear to confirm your selection. Click Restart now.
4. Once the laptop restarts, it enters the Windows Recovery Environment. Click Troubleshoot > Advanced options.
5. Click Startup Settings > Restart. 
6. Press the F4 key to Enable Safe Mode. 

If you don't have any problems using the ASUS laptop keyboard while in Safe Mode, the issue isn't with the system's basic settings or device drivers. It's likely a software issue instead. Try uninstalling any recent software you put on the laptop to see if it's causing keyboard conflicts.

FAQ

Why is my ASUS keyboard not working after a Windows update?

A Windows update may have caused driver conflicts. Try updating or reinstalling the keyboard driver in Device Manager.

How do I unlock my ASUS keyboard?

Press Fn + Num Lock or Fn + F7 to ensure the keyboard isn’t locked. Also, check for accessibility settings like Filter Keys under Ease of Access.

Can resetting my laptop fix an unresponsive keyboard?

Yes, a system reset can fix software-related issues, but should only be done as a last resort. Back up your data first, then go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Reset this PC.

What should I do if some ASUS keyboard keys work but others don’t?

Check for stuck keys, dirt buildup, or software conflicts. If only certain keys are unresponsive, a keyboard replacement by an ASUS repair expert may be necessary.