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The built-in keyboard on the laptop is locked and disabled: how to unlock it and turn it on? How to unlock the keyboard on a laptop

Now, perhaps, every modern person has a laptop. We search and find useful information on the Internet, make all kinds of purchases in online stores, pay bills and earn money, so when our favorite device breaks down, its shortage is very noticeable. A fairly common problem is the device's keyboard being locked. How to unlock it correctly?

Most often, the keyboard is locked as a result of simultaneously pressing the special Win key and some other button. To unlock the keyboard, each individual laptop model uses a specific key combination. You can find out “your” combination from the instructions for your PC. If one is not available, you can download the manual for the laptop from the manufacturer’s website. Most likely, you will need to register and enter the laptop serial number on this site. After this you will receive the necessary manual.


To unlock the keyboard, try pressing the NumLock + Fn buttons simultaneously (they are located on the right side of the keyboard). This turns on the digital keypad, after which, accordingly, character input for the PC user becomes unavailable. This error is often found among owners of laptops with a shortened version of the keyboard and among fans of online games who, for convenience, block part of the laptop panel.

People who have children in the family or a cat at home have probably encountered a situation where a furry pet caresses and climbs onto the keyboard to warm up. And for some reason children are constantly attracted to these tempting buttons. How can you not get interested when you press the keys and different “pictures” pop up on the monitor. It’s good if a child just opens some document or application, but what happens if he deletes some important files? How many worries, nerves and problems can arise because of this? To protect yourself and your computer from unwanted manipulations, you should think about such a function as keyboard locking.

How to lock the keyboard using hot keys?

Typically, if an account is installed on the computer, then when it starts, a window will appear asking for a password to log into the system. When working with files, browsing the Internet, or performing any other actions, you can always return to this window. To do this, you need to use the Win + L key combination. Of course, to return the computer to working condition again, you will have to enter a password, but this method will help not only lock the keyboard, but also hide what is happening on the monitor from prying eyes. Of course, the password should be chosen according to security rules - at least 6 characters so that it cannot be guessed by accidentally pressing keys. In this case, the child would rather pick off the keys than gain access to your files. Locking the keyboard on a laptop while surfing the Internet is possible when switching to full-screen mode. To do this, press the Fn + F11 or Fn + key with a lock icon. You can return to normal mode by using the same combination.

Keyboard locking using special programs

You can lock the keyboard on your computer using special programs. One of them is TodlerKeys. It is convenient because when you start it, only the keyboard is locked, and you can continue to use the mouse. Installing this program does not require financial costs, that is, it is completely free. If you no longer need this program, you can simply disable it. Another program of this type is TypetoEasy 2.0. It's also completely free. Installing these applications will take very little time. To do this, you need to download the program, find it in the folder with downloaded files and click on its icon with the mouse. After this, the installation will begin, the user just needs to follow the installation instructions. After installing a program, you usually need to restart your computer. In order for the computer keyboard to be locked, you must run the program, while the mouse will continue to work. A program called Keyboard Locker also provides parental control, blocking not only the keyboard, but also the computer mouse.

Additional Information

It should be noted that all of these programs, as mentioned above, have one significant advantage - they are all completely free. In addition, their installation is simple and does not require any special skills. If, during installation, the application asks you to activate a code or send a paid SMS for activation, then you should not continue the installation. Most likely, this is a virus program that scammers use to extract money. It may harm your computer. There is also a way to disable the keyboard until the next system startup. To do this, you should perform a number of actions: [Start menu - "Programs" - "Accessories"]. There will be a command line in which you need to enter the command “rundll32 keyboard, disable” (enter without quotes). After this action, the keypad will be locked, which will last until the system starts again.


Nowadays, almost every city resident has a laptop. And one of the frequently encountered problems is the keyboard lock on this device. But not everyone wants to overpay specialists for reconfiguring a laptop keyboard, especially since it is very easy. So how can you unlock the keyboard on a laptop yourself?

When you press the laptop key combination Fn+NumLock, the keyboard will both lock and unlock. This is one of the most common mistakes among users of laptops with a shortened keyboard option, if this does not help, see the next point.

Also, depending on the model, you can use the key combination Win + L, Fn + the corresponding function key (often highlighted by a lock icon on the keyboard key), in rare cases the key combination Ctrl + Fn + function key can be used.

If the first methods did not help, then try using standard keyboard shortcuts, that is, Fn + F12, Fn + F7, Fn + Pause, Win + Fx (in place of x, substitute any number from 1 to 12). But often this combination is specified in the instructions for the laptop. If for some reason you don’t have the instructions, try downloading the user manual from the manufacturer’s website, but you may need to register and then enter the laptop’s serial number on the website, as well as your email account login. You can also contact technical support to find out the keyboard unlock code, but this is if you did not find such information in the instructions.

Unfortunately, if none of the methods work, then most likely you have a virus on your device. But don't panic. First you need to turn off the system - using the Reset, Power buttons or turning the power off and on. Then you launch a boot disk with an antivirus and check the system, trying to remove the virus, since using an antivirus from under the main system with the keyboard locked is not possible.

If the above methods do not help, then this is most likely due to physical factors and it is better to contact a specialist for help.

So, the keyboard may not work due to three reasons. The first is a software lock, which is eliminated by pressing a key combination. The second reason is a viral one, which can only be eliminated by removing the virus through an antivirus. The third reason is purely mechanical, which can be solved by putting the device in the hands of a specialist. Now you know the reasons why the keyboard is locked and how to unlock the keyboard on a laptop.

The main way to enter information on a computer is a keyboard. If you did not fill it with liquid, did not break it, or replace the keyboard, then there should be no problems with its performance. Users sometimes encounter the problem that it does not work, does not respond to clicks, but the touchpad (touch replacement for a mouse), for example, functions. There are several options for checking the functionality of the keyboard and turning it on if it is accidentally blocked.

How to check the keyboard for functionality

Device failure may be due to software (not a physical reason) or failure of some part of the computer (hardware reason). There is an easy way to find out the nature of the problem on your laptop. You need to turn on the computer and immediately enter the BIOS when booting. If the buttons inside this environment respond to pressing, then the problem is in the software. In this case, you can do the following:

  • run a virus scan;
  • run a system restore from a checkpoint when the keyboard was working correctly;
  • completely remove or roll back the drivers for the keyboard.

If there is no response when going to the BIOS, then the problem needs to be looked for with the hardware (flex cable, motherboard, etc.). If there is no response from individual buttons, you need to check the device for contamination. Pieces of food, accumulated dirt, and foreign objects can cause the device to not work properly. A can of compressed air is well suited for cleaning; it will help to thoroughly blow out the keyboard on your laptop. You can take it to the service center so that specialists can independently

Causes of problems

There is no dependence between the brand, computer model and a specific breakdown. Every laptop can suffer from hardware or software problems. Any device can break down, often due to careless handling of the gadget, but other situations may arise that lead to a malfunction. Common options for turning off keybord are:

  1. Software glitch. The operating system receives an error from the device driver and “does not understand” how to work with it. As a rule, re-installing the driver or rolling back to a system restore point when it worked correctly helps to turn the keyboard back on.
  2. Spilled liquid. People often eat in front of a computer screen (working or watching something). If you accidentally spill coffee or tea (especially sweet), then in 90% of cases the device breaks down and the buttons get stuck. It may not appear immediately, but after 2-3 days (until oxidation of the contacts inside the laptop begins).
  3. Problems with the cable. Due to humidity, liquid ingress or unsuccessful repairs, the contacts may oxidize; the technician unsuccessfully connected the keyboard to the motherboard. This leads to partial or complete inoperability of the keyboard. You can try to disassemble and diagnose the loop, but it is better not to do this without experience.

How to unlock the keyboard on a laptop

If the keyboard stops responding to presses, this does not necessarily indicate a malfunction of the laptop. It is possible that you accidentally pressed a hotkey combination while cleaning your computer. This is a keyboard lock on a laptop to prevent you from accidentally pressing buttons during a presentation or transporting the device. If the problem is a malfunction of the motherboard or cable, then you should contact a service center.

Hotkey combination

Disabling the keyboard on a laptop can be done using a hot combination programmed by the developer. Often this situation arises when a person was wiping the keyboard while cleaning and accidentally pressed the required combination of buttons. The main thing is that the cloth is not wet and moisture does not penetrate into the body. This situation can be corrected very quickly. You can activate additional functions on laptops using the FN button and one of the special keys F1-F12.

Look carefully at the icons on the keys. Different manufacturers have different function buttons, so you need to find the one you need yourself. As a rule, this function is depicted as a lock. You just need to hold down the FN button and the corresponding F with the lock pattern. Sometimes only the right block with numbers is disabled. Num Lock or the Fn+Num Lock combination is responsible for it. If pressing these hot buttons does not help, then the reason must be looked elsewhere.

The operating system uses special files that are responsible for the relationship between the computer components and Windows. They are called drivers and are produced by device manufacturers (separately video cards, motherboards, monitors, etc.). Modern versions of operating systems independently install most drivers from the database, but occasionally they fail or become “crooked.” This is one of the reasons why the keyboard may not work. To enable the keyboard in this case, you need to do the following:

  1. Open Control Panel via Start Panel.
  2. Click on the "Keyboard" section.
  3. Select the Hardware tab. Make sure that next to “Status” it says “the device is working normally.”
  4. Click on the “Properties” section. Device Manager should see and display the keyboard in the main menu.

If at some stage you notice that the data does not correspond to the standard, then the problem is in the software. There is the following solution to the problem:

  1. Right-click on the My Computer icon.
  2. From the menu, select "Properties".
  3. From the left menu you will need the “Device Manager” item.
  4. Find your keyboard and double-click properties.
  5. Go to the “Driver” tab and click the “Update” button.
  6. If this does not help, then you should completely remove it and install it again.

Removing a ban in the Group Policy Editor

In rare cases, it is necessary to unlock the keyboard on a laptop at the system resolution level. This option is possible if you have checked all software aspects and made sure that this is not a hardware failure. You can enable a ban on using the keyboard inside Windows. To enable your input device, you must do the following:

  1. Open the quick access menu “Start”, find the “Run” item. In version 10 of the operating system, it is located in the “System” folder.
  2. Using the virtual keyboard, write "gpedit.msc". Click OK.
  3. Open the “Computer Configuration” folder, then follow the path: administrative, templates, system, device installation, installation restrictions.
  4. You need the “Prohibit device installation” option.
  5. Click on “Show” and make sure there is no data there. Opposite the ban should be the “Disable” option.

Checking the keyboard cable

Problems with the wire occur after liquid gets on the laptop or unsuccessful repair. Novice masters may not fully connect the cable to the connector, which leads to the keyboard not working. The first reason obliges you to contact a service center, because an ordinary user will not be able to fix the problem on his own after a flood.

If you notice that only the input device is not working, you can try to disassemble the device yourself. Most models use snap fasteners. You need to find grooves on the surface that are easiest to pry with a plastic card. Do not use iron objects, such as a screwdriver, for these purposes; it can damage the computer and the locks themselves.

Start opening from the left edge, carefully pry the first latch and pull the keyboard by the Esc button. It will be easier to open the part later, when most of the locks are removed, you can separate the keyboard and see the cable. Disconnect the wire (this sometimes requires lifting the frame or simply pulling it out, depending on the model), clean the contacts, reconnect it securely and return the keyboard to its place. Restart your laptop and try turning on the keyboard.

Checking for motherboard failure

The basis for all other computer components is the Mother Board. You won’t be able to fix it yourself, but you can determine that the problem lies there. Check the functionality of the network cable, touchpad, and USB port. Their inaction indicates a breakdown of the south bridge of the motherboard. For this reason, it is not recommended to take any action. The best option would be to contact a service center.

How to enable an additional keyboard on a laptop

If the input device is faulty, you can connect an additional one to the computer. All modern keyboards used on desktop PCs have a USB connector. You have the opportunity to connect any of them using the appropriate connector. The system itself will detect the device and install the necessary driver. This is a solution to the problem if a hardware failure has occurred, but if the motherboard is faulty, the connection cannot be completed.

Unlocking using the All-Unlock v2.0 RC3 program

If the special buttons are poorly placed, a person may accidentally block the ability to enter. You can turn on the keyboard on your laptop once and for all using a special utility - All-Unlock v2.0 RC3. A free version is available for download on the official website. It is not recommended to download from other sites, but if necessary, make sure that your antivirus protection is up and running to avoid harm from attackers.

Enabling the virtual keyboard

If you were unable to turn on the keyboard or connect an additional one, you can use an alternative option - a virtual input device. This function exists in the operating version since the release of XP, and it is also present in later builds. You can enable the virtual keyboard in the following way:

  1. Open the Start menu.
  2. Go to the "All Programs" tab.
  3. Find the Accessibility folder and open On-Screen Keyboard.
  4. If you need an additional section on the right with numbers, then you need to click on “Options” and turn on the numeric keypad.

Video

You will need:

  • Num Lock, Caps Lock, Scroll Lock keys
  • Accessibility Window
  • User manual for this laptop
  • Function keys combined with the Fn key
  • Addresses of service centers, phone numbers and email addresses of technical support

A locked keyboard on a laptop is a real problem. The laptop does not respond at all to key presses or responds randomly to pressing some symbols or numbers. A locked keyboard makes it impossible to use the device - it is impossible to enter an address in the browser's address bar, reply to an email, or type in a text editor. Unfortunately, the question of how to unlock the keyboard on a laptop does not have a clear answer. The options for action in this situation differ depending on the laptop model and manufacturer, and also depend on the situation that led to the blocking. You can still take some steps yourself to unlock the keyboard on your laptop without contacting specialists.

The keyboard may have stopped working as it should as a result of pressing the Num Lock, Caps Lock, Scroll Lock function keys. You need to check whether the corresponding indicator lights on the keyboard are lit. Very often, users accidentally press these keys without intending to switch to another keyboard mode. For example, the Num Lock key on laptop keyboards rearranges some of the letter keys and replaces the “U”, “I”, “O” keys with the numbers “4”, “5”, “6”, the “J”, “K” keys, “ L" with the numbers "1", "2", "3" and so on in a similar manner. You need to turn off the Num Lock, Caps Lock, Scroll Lock indicator lights by pressing the corresponding key on the keyboard. Sometimes you additionally need to hold down the Fn button. It depends on the laptop model. Now all that remains is to check the keyboard, perhaps it works normally again.

It happens that the keyboard stops working as expected as a result of accidentally enabling special features that are provided in operating systems of the Windows family. To turn off such settings, click Start => Settings => Control Panel. In Control Panel, open the Ease of Access window. On the Keyboard tab, clear the check mark next to each custom setting option. Click OK. Check if the keyboard is working properly. Custom settings affected the keyboard's performance and could cause the keyboard to feel locked.

You can try to return the keyboard to normal operation by removing the laptop battery. Close all running programs on the laptop. Since the keyboard is locked, use a mouse or touchpad to complete this task. Then turn off the laptop and close it. You can now disconnect the AC adapter (if it was connected) and turn the laptop over to remove the battery. If necessary, you can see how this is done in the instructions for the laptop. After two to three minutes, you can reinstall the battery by placing it back in the battery compartment. Next, turn on the power to the laptop and check the operation of the keyboard.

Unlocking the touchpad is easier. Often, while working, you have to lock and unlock the touchpad. This is due to the fact that while typing on a “tight” laptop keyboard, it is easy to catch the touchpad and this will lead to unplanned changes in the text. Typically, the touchpad can be locked and unlocked by pressing the Fn+F6 key combination (Fn+F7, Fn+F12, Fn+F9, or similar). The number of the function key pressed together with the Fn key differs for different models. Refer to your laptop's user manual for information about the required keyboard shortcut. But if the manual is not at hand, they select the desired option by searching through various similar key combinations. Some laptop keyboards have a special button that turns the touchpad off or on; it may have a crossed out square on it. Unlocking the touchpad is easier. Often, while working, you have to lock and unlock the touchpad. This is due to the fact that while typing on a “tight” laptop keyboard, it is easy to catch the touchpad and this will lead to unplanned changes in the text. Typically, the touchpad can be locked and unlocked by pressing the Fn+F6 key combination (Fn+F7, Fn+F12, Fn+F9, or similar). The number of the function key pressed together with the Fn key differs for different models. Refer to your laptop's user manual for information about the required keyboard shortcut. But if the manual is not at hand, they select the desired option by searching through various similar key combinations. Some laptop keyboards have a special button that turns the touchpad off or on; it may have a crossed out square on it.

So, sometimes just turning on numlock mode can lead to problems with the laptop keyboard. If you do not have a user manual for your laptop, you should find it online in electronic form. If you cannot solve problems with the keyboard or touchpad yourself, you will have to contact a service center, hotline, or contact the manufacturer by email. Addresses of service centers, telephone numbers and email addresses of technical support are usually presented on the regional website of the laptop manufacturer.