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Ever notice that when you’re typing, sometimes the letters stop appearing on the screen?
Computers response failure to typing clicks could result from hardware problems, external procedures overrunning current tasks, as well as faulty drivers and overheated systems. Updating the drivers, managing background tasks, and occasional cleaning of the keyboards can fix the issue.
Table of Contents
Why Does My Keyboard Stop Working Randomly?
Computer keyboards vary from one system to another. Some are wireless and use batteries to power them on, while some depend on USB connections to run them. Similarly, on keyboards mount on the computers such as laptops, their working is more dependent on the necessary keyboard drivers managing them.
So keyboards stop working depending on several factors including their specific system connections, presence of third-party software, driver failures as well as a keyboard problem. However, before concluding on the reason behind your keyboard’s failure, you need to try out several functions to ascertain what you experiencing is a keyboard failure.
How to Test Your Computer’s Keyboard
Testing your keyboard’s functionality could mean trying out a few more actions than typing a paragraph on a notepad or word document. Well, if it is a consistent hitch in the system, you might successfully type the few lines, but there could be more issues yet to surface with the keyboard.
So for a tested conclusion of your keyboard’s problem, you will need complete assurance from your computer’s Microsoft Windows Device Manager and the system’s hardware management utility. You will need to:
Navigate to Start > Control Panel > System > Device Manager
Upon opening of the Device Manager, you will need to:
Locate Keyboards > left click on the hinting arrow > Right-click on the (HID Keyboard Device) present > Click Scan for Hardware Changes.
By this, the computer will test your present keyboard in the system. An error response next to the listing means there is a problem with the keyboard calling for your immediate response.
You can right-click the device’s listing again and select properties to get more information on the specific error.
What Are the Common Computer Keyboard Problems?
Your keyboard’s straight functioning depends on several links between the computer and the CPU. However, these may not necessarily raise the need for replacement of the keyboards, but should the need arise; you may have to run a few more tests before settling on the right decision.
These depend on the following factors:
Hardware
Depending on the keyboard’s usage period, there could be an accumulation of dirt, dust, and other debris beneath the key switches and keycaps. These possibly result in sticky or overly unresponsive keys.
If parts of the keys on the keyboard are not functioning, you might want to check on some minor issues such as keyboard batteries in wireless keyboards. Additionally, this could also be a tamper with your keyboard settings; probably a failure to turn on a setting such as the “Num Lock” for the functionality of the numeric keypads.
Mismatch Settings
Your keyboard shortcut controls are responsible for problems such as your screen displaying different items other than your intended ones on the keyboard.
Generally, some physical problems might also be the reason behind the keyboard failure, these may include:
- Faulty or loose USB cable connections
- Powerless batteries in wireless keyboards
- Problems with USB host control drivers
- Faults or mismatch with keyboard drivers in the computer’s systems.
- Use of old keyboards
- Faulty keyboards
Why Does My Computer Stop Typing When I’m Typing?
The running of computers depends on several hardware and software communications including memory-related, programs, Malware as well as overheating of physical components in the computer. The following factors could be behind this issue.
Malware Problems
These are issues arising from computer viruses brought about by visiting malware-infested links or installing foreign software on the computer system. Such viruses will not only affect the computer-keyboard connection but can affect the general functioning of your system’s drivers.
You can check for viruses by using security software to check for the presence of any viruses on the computer. If any is found, you should proceed to remove them using cleaning software such as Norton Power Eraser.
Memory-related Problems
Different computers support several processes running in the background. However, the effectiveness that comes with such is based on the number of processes a system can hold at a go. Some computer Random Access Memories cannot support the efficient functioning of current tasks as well as support any background processes.
Such background tasks affect the normal functioning of any computer process, so if you were typing, the memory feels overstretched by having to handle too many programs causing a hang in the system. Additionally, a pile of programs and files in the system could reduce space for the processors to handle any task.
Overheating Systems in the Computer
Overheating components in the computer slows down the computer processes and making it operate less efficiently. Since it is a gradual process, it may reach higher temperatures where it would render certain components unusable or run them into irreversible damages. Should this affect any keyboard systems or drivers, it will cause a sudden effect on your ongoing typing.
Driver-related Issues
Computers depend on several device drivers to perform almost all of their functions. In the absence of relative keyboard drivers, or the case of corrupted drivers, your computer’s smooth functions are no longer a guarantee.
Maintaining and fixing such drivers can be quite a problem and may need expert attention. However, constant updating of your system’s drivers helps in enabling relative hardware to function normally as well as the general functioning of the whole computer system. This is also helpful in downloading any missing or expired drivers for your entire system.
Such driver issues can result in:
- Possible application freezes and crashes.
- Hardware failure including keyboards and mouse
- Different software conflicts and incompatibilities
- Reduced system securities
What Do You Do When Your Computer Stops Typing?
Failure and ignorance of important computer maintenance practices may be the results of such unresponsiveness issues. However, before any of these problems arise, most computer users may ignore and take for granted such important management until operation frustrations kick in.
However, by the time such problems have had their way into your computer system; it may be too late or too costly to revive some components. But here is a list of actions you may take on your computers to revive their normal response on typing.
Clean Your keyboard
You can make this an occasional practice not only for the keyboard but also on the desktop components. The keyboards accumulate dirt, dust, and different crumbs beneath their key switches and keycaps that may result in stuck keyboard keys. To counter such effects, the use of compressed air cans comes a long way in blowing the dust off the keyboards and any other crumbs that would be affecting the keyboard’s efficiency.
Troubleshoot and Update System Drivers
Computer effective connections between hardware and software components largely depend on several drivers’ efficiency. So in cases of your computer’s misbehavior when typing, you might want to update or reconfigure the keyboard’s driver settings as well as USB port drivers.
However, in case the problem persists, it will be to troubleshoot the system drivers for a detailed report on possible problems and their immediate reactions.
Re-configure the Keyboard
Some of these problems could arise from faulty keyboards or keyboard connections. These however vary in the type of keyboards in place; wired keyboards may have cable problems which if addressed will return to the normal functioning of the system.
In wireless keyboards, the problem could arise from low batteries making affecting their response. You might also want to try a different keyboard to help in ascertaining exact problems with your original keyboards.
Conclusion
Your computer’s sudden failure to your typing clicks, therefore, results from several factors depending on the type and model of your computers. Some of these may include crashed system drivers, faulty keyboards, and malware effects from third-party software. You can troubleshoot the system to know the extent of any software issues and their possible solutions.