A locked keyboard proves beneficial if you don’t want someone to change the PC settings without knowing about it. However, things can get complicated if you did not do this on purpose and cannot get your keyboard back to the unlocked state.
You can unlock the keyboard by pressing the Fn + lock F keys. If this doesn’t help, disable sticky and filter keys under “Settings” > “Ease of Access” > “Interaction” > “Keyboard”. Also, make sure that the keyboard drivers are updated on your PC.
We have compiled a step-by-step write-up for you about why the keyboard is locked and what to do to unlock it with easy-to-follow methods.
Reasons for the Keyboard Getting Locked
Some of the reasons which cause your keyboard to get locked are as follows:
- You have accidentally pressed a key combination causing the keyboard to hibernate.
- Sticky or filter keys are enabled on your device.
- The keyboard may not be correctly connected to your computer.
- Outdated keyboard drivers on your drive.
Unlocking the Keyboard
Unlocking the keyboard may seem a complex task, but fortunately, it is not as complicated as it looks. This step-to-step troubleshooting guide will save you a lot of time and effort, allowing you to get your keyboard back to its working state without much trouble.
It is time to reveal the four simple methods to unlock the keyboard.
Method #1: Via Keyboard Shortcuts
The primary method to unlock your keyboard is via keyboard shortcuts. However, the key combination varies depending on the keyboard you are using. To do this:
- First, find the right key for the “lock shortcut” on your keyboard.
- The keyboard shortcut is usually one of the
F-keys, so press all of them one after the other. - Once you identify the key, press and hold the
Fnkey and the “lock/unlock F key” you discovered until the device is unlocked.
Method #2: Disabling Sticky Keys
Another method to unlock the keyboard is by disabling the sticky keys. If these keys are enabled on your PC, the keyboard will accept input after 20 seconds, resulting in a locked keyboard.
- Press the Start button and go to the “Settings” cog above the power button.
- Click on
Windows + Ualternatively. - Next, select “Ease of Access”.
- Find the “Interaction” tab from the “Settings” sidebar and click on the keyboard under it.
- Look for the “Sticky Keys” option and disable it if it’s enabled on your PC.
The steps mentioned above will only work for Windows 10. So, if you have another Windows version installed on your device, press “Windows + U” keys on the keyboard to go to “Ease of Access” menu.
Method #3: Uninstalling and Reinstalling Keyboard Drivers
An outdated driver can be one of the main reasons for your keyboard to stop working. You can fix it by uninstalling and reinstalling the drivers or simply updating them following these steps:
- First, navigate to “Start Menu” > “Windows System” > “Control Panel” > “Device Manager”.
- Click on the keyboards field to find the drivers.
- Next, right-click on the standard PS/2 keyboard and select the “Update Driver” option.
You will be asked to restart your computer once the update is completed. If there is some problem, Windows will tell you to reinstall the drivers.
Method #4: Turning Off the Filter Keys
If you have the filter keys on, this may result in the lagging of your keyboard. Here is what you need to do to disable them on your system:
- Navigate to “Start Menu” > “Settings”.
- Select “Ease of Access”.
- Next, choose the keyboard from the right pane.
- Choose the keyboard and locate the “Filter Keys” option.
- Toggle the button below Filter Keys option to switch it off.
Once you successfully disable the filter keys, type something using your keyboard and verify that it is unlocked.
Replacing the Keyboard
If the above methods failed to unlock your keyboard, maybe it is damaged and needs to be replaced. Once you visit the market, you will find plenty of options, from wireless keyboards to ergonomic ones and others designed for a particular purpose.
Summary
In this write-up on how to unlock the keyboard, we have explored numerous reasons for your input device getting locked and discussed four methods to fix the problem of a stuck keyboard. We have also discussed replacing the keyboard if all else fails.
Hopefully, one of these methods has worked for you, and now you can quickly fix your keyboard and enjoy a hassle-free typing experience. Make sure to replace the device with the latest one if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
The lock is present at the left end of your keyboard above the left shift key. It is named Scrolling Lock or scroll lock and is used to change the behavior of cursor keys in some applications such as spreadsheets. By pressing the scroll lock, you will be able to scroll the document instead of the cursor.
For unlocking the numeric keypad, press and hold the Fn button near the left corner of the keyboard. Press the Num Lock while holding the Fn button. You will see the LED indicator turning off and can now successfully type letters instead of numbers on the right side of the input device.
