Fix: Keyboard is not working and sometimes makes a clicking noise

When your keyboard stops working and makes a clicking noise, it often means a system or hardware issue. This usually happens because features like Sticky Keys or Filter Keys are accidentally turned on, making the system click when a key is pressed but stopping typing.

This can also be due to outdated or broken keyboard drivers, or a bad connection, especially in laptops where the keyboard might be partially detached. Other causes include power settings that let the computer disable the keyboard to save power.

In this article, we will discuss different ways to solve this error.

1. Turn Off Filter Keys

An overlooked setting could be the problem. Filter Keys slows keyboard responses and can disrupt typing if enabled. Turning it off lets the system handle keystrokes normally, fixing delays or missed inputs.

  1. Open the Control Panel by right-clicking the Start button in the lower right corner and selecting it.keyboard not working-1
  2. Change to Small icons view using the option at the top right of the Control Panel window.keyboard not working-2
  3. Click on Ease of Access Center.keyboard not working-3
  4. Select ‘Make the keyboard easier to use‘.keyboard not working-4
  5. Uncheck ‘Turn on Filter Keys‘, then click ‘Apply‘ and ‘OK‘. Test your keyboard to see if it stops making the noise.keyboard not working-5

2. Check for Driver Updates.

Outdated drivers can cause your keyboard to not work properly, resulting in issues like unresponsiveness or clicking sounds. Checking for driver updates ensures your system has the latest software to manage the keyboard properly. This can fix communication errors between the system and the keyboard, restoring normal function without needing extensive troubleshooting.

  1. Press Windows + R, type devmgmt.msc and hit enter.
  2. Click on Scan for hardware changes.
    Scanning for hardware changes
    Scanning for hardware changes
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kevin Arrows


Kevin Arrows is a highly experienced and knowledgeable technology specialist with over a decade of industry experience. He holds a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certification and has a deep passion for staying up-to-date on the latest tech developments. Kevin has written extensively on a wide range of tech-related topics, showcasing his expertise and knowledge in areas such as software development, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. His contributions to the tech field have been widely recognized and respected by his peers, and he is highly regarded for his ability to explain complex technical concepts in a clear and concise manner.

Comments

45
    MS
    Met-san Jun 21, 2016

    thank you very much Kevin. this really helped me a lot.

      KA
      K. Arrows Author Jun 21, 2016

      Welcome

    SR
    SR Oct 21, 2016

    There is more… if you play games the right shift key if held for 8 seconds will lock up the keyboard. There is checkbox in the filter key option that needs to be unchecked as well otherwise all the filters etc turning off is pointless.

    Reply
    GE
    Geri Jan 9, 2017

    Thank you posting it. It helped me a lot.

    DS
    Dropx ShoTz Jan 30, 2017

    this helped me, thank you!

    AQ
    Abdul Quddus Mar 20, 2017

    Thanks for the solution. I was tensed what mistake I made. Now I understood it.

      KA
      K. Arrows Author Mar 26, 2017

      Welcome

    RI
    Richard Jul 16, 2017

    “Keyboard not working…. Use the keyboard to fix this issue.”

    Seriously?

      KA
      K. Arrows Author Aug 5, 2017

      updated

      CH
      Crystal Huang Oct 14, 2017

      I thought that too

    RH
    Rhonda Jul 20, 2017

    Wow, thatnks, simple solution to a very annoying issue.

      CH
      Crystal Huang Oct 14, 2017

      agree

    SA
    Sans Aug 4, 2017

    This happens with windows 10 too.

    JW
    Jonathon Wright Sep 15, 2017

    This fixed my problem on windows 10 however I could not type at the beginning of my session to log on. I clicked ease of access button at the bottom right. I then was able to turn off the filter keys by sliding the button and it turned off then I was able to type. thank you so much for this simple solution.

    Reply
      HA
      Hazel Nov 30, 2018

      Yeah mine too…Tysm

      JR
      John Roache Feb 26, 2020

      I would never have discovered this. it worked, thank you…(windows 10).

    KA
    Karen Oct 6, 2017

    Thx

    CH
    Crystal Huang Oct 14, 2017

    this worked and fixed my computer

    JH
    Julie Hambsch Nov 6, 2017

    I just want to say that I have been looking for a solution to my keyboard problem for awhile and tried many things suggested. This one finally worked. Thanks Kevin

    LK
    Laughing K Nov 14, 2017

    Great!! I have had my laptop for almost a year and sometimes this keyboard will not type but only make clicking noises. This did the trick. Thanks!!!

      KA
      K. Arrows Author Nov 14, 2017

      thanks

      Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

      ——– Original message ——–

    AY
    Ayush Dec 28, 2017

    Kelvin you helped me a lot

    PP
    Pierre Preuthun Jan 2, 2018

    thank you so much, that **** was ***** annoying

    CA
    CalebAlexander Feb 8, 2018

    I suddenly started having this happen with Windows 10. Your solution worked perfectly. Thank you very much. That was an annoying problem.

    TA
    Tara Mar 20, 2018

    Thank you so much!! This was simple and resolved my keyboard issue in minutes!!

    PM
    paras Madnani Aug 26, 2018

    this is not working. The lower keyboard row is not working but making noises on key press

    AD
    Adebayo Adesegun Daniel Nov 20, 2018

    Thank you. Solution fit exactly the problem I was facing. It was quite an annoying pain in the neck.

    LU
    lulu Mar 3, 2019

    When this happens you can turn on tablet mode so that you can still search things up 🙂

    RE
    Reese Mar 24, 2019

    thanks so much I was ready to burn my computer with every click noise it made <3

    GO
    Gerhardus Otto Mar 28, 2019

    This fixed my error and now I can type, but when I pressed the Shift key, it made a funny beeping noise, is that normal or is it not? Anyone know?

    SW
    Shane Warren Author Sep 24, 2019

    Click on the “Ease of Access” button in the bottom right and turn off the “Filter Keys” option.

    Reply
    LE
    Lauren Evans Nov 19, 2019

    I have a very important interview tomorrow and an important research paper I have to work on tomorrow, so when my laptop keyboard stopped working at 10pm tonight I felt like I was going to throw up. This article made it so easy to fix my keyboard and was easy to follow and understand. This article helped my computer and my sanity! Thank you!!!

    JO
    jonathan Jan 14, 2020

    that was awesome guys and you always have to be here for us. there is not much to say now.

    H
    hehm2 . Jan 14, 2020

    Thanks a bunch!

    SM
    Shai Majer Feb 5, 2020

    turning off filter keys fixed my issue! thanks!

    SM
    Shai Majer Feb 5, 2020

    turning off filter keys fixed my issues on windows 10! thanks!

    EK
    Element kings Feb 15, 2020

    this worked, ty

    MA
    Madhurika May 26, 2020

    Thankyou so so much for this..this actuallyy worked and now i can use my keyboard happily..thaaankyou!

    LR
    Luis Amaurys Rojas Jul 22, 2020

    Thank you very much. This solved my problem (windows 7)

    JA
    Jack Attack Aug 20, 2020

    Thank you for this! I left my surface pro open and awake for 5 minutes and came back to a message of jibberish on my open document from my cats, an inability to backspace, and a weird clicking sound every time I tried lol this did the job! Thank you!

    LE
    Len Dec 22, 2020

    Thank you so much! This really helped a lot and I’m on Windows 10, I was scared I was doomed.

    AP
    Ann Pacheco Mar 11, 2021

    Thank you! You helped me fix my Bluetooth keyboard!

    ZR
    Z ALI Rasheedi May 5, 2021

    Thanks it worked for me 🙂

    ST
    Stevo Jan 9, 2022

    Thank you, this worked

    RE
    redmephit May 20, 2022

    THANK YOU SOO MUCH
    I HAD SOMETHING LIKE PRESS NUMLOCK FOR 5 SECONDS TO TURN ON TOGGLE KEY GUESS THAT HAPPENED
    NOW MY LETTER A AND BACKSPACE WORKS
    THAANK YOU SOOO MUCH