How to fix mechanical keyboard not working

 Here's what you need to do when that happens.

1. Reconnect the USB cable or Dongle

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If you have a wired keyboard, you typically connect it to your computer via USB. This also applies if you are using a wireless mechanical keyboard with a USB dongle. Sometimes USB ports lose power for short periods of time. When this happens, the device connected to that port may not re-initialize properly, causing the device to become unresponsive.

This has happened many times, especially after starting up the PC. For example, the Razer BlackWidow sometimes refuses to work. The solution is simple: Disconnect the USB and plug it back in. This will force the computer to initialize the device.

If that doesn't work, try a different port. You can skip the first step and switch ports right away - that usually works.

2. Reset Bluetooth connection

The USB port is out of the equation if you're using a Bluetooth keyboard. Instead, you should reset the Bluetooth connection on both ends.

Start by turning off the keyboard. Then, go into your computer's Bluetooth settings, remove the keyboard from the list of devices, and turn Bluetooth off and back on. Finally, turn the keyboard back on, put it in pairing mode, and reconnect it to your computer.

Bluetooth devices, especially keyboards and game controllers, often lose connection. The best solution is usually to forget the device and pair it again.

Tip : If you get the "Try Connecting Your Device" error when pairing, it may be due to a problem with your computer's Bluetooth. If this happens, check out our comprehensive guide on how to fix Bluetooth errors.

3. Restart the system

Hardware isn't the only potential culprit — software can also be to blame. Your operating system uses drivers to communicate with devices like your keyboard, and sometimes these drivers don't work properly. If a driver is faulty, a reboot may be necessary to get your keyboard working properly again.

In addition to drivers, many keyboards come with third-party apps like Logitech G Hub or Razer Synapse. Simply closing and reopening these apps doesn't always work, as they have a lot of background processes that may not fully restart.

The most effective way to reset everything is to restart your computer, forcing all drivers and applications to restart and hopefully communication will be correct again.

4. Update or reconfigure the keyboard software

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If the previous steps didn't resolve the issue, it's time to look into the software. Windows updates often introduce changes that can break the functionality of your device. Hardware manufacturers are constantly updating these updates and releasing firmware patches to keep their devices compatible.

Make sure your drivers and firmware are up to date to avoid unexpected issues. Also, if you're using a mechanical gaming keyboard, check for additional features like macros or custom hotkeys. Sometimes these can interfere with normal operation, especially if a particular key on the keyboard stops working.

5. Clean the keyboard

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Mechanical keyboards have longer key travel than membrane keyboards, and the keys are set higher with more space between them. This space can easily collect dust, bread crumbs, and other debris that can clog the switches.

To clean your keyboard, you'll need to do it yourself. Start with a microfiber cloth for the surface, then use a cotton swab to clean around the key switches, and finally blow some compressed air to dislodge any stubborn debris. Sometimes you'll be surprised how much dust can be hiding there.

If none of these solutions work, the problem may be hardware-related. At this point, it may be time to send the keyboard in for repair, or if you're feeling adventurous, grab a screwdriver and take the keyboard apart yourself — just be aware that this can be dangerous.

Samuel Daniel

Update 31 August 2024