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Easily resolve your keyboard issues with a reset using this simple guide
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- General Resetting Methods |
- Resetting the Keyboard Language (Windows) |
- Resetting the Keyboard Language (Mac) |
- Reinstalling the Keyboard Drivers (Windows) |
- Restoring Default Keyboard Settings (Mac) |
- Re-Pairing a Bluetooth Keyboard (Windows) |
- Re-Pairing a Bluetooth Keyboard (Mac) |
- Video |
- Q&A |
- Tips
Is your keyboard not behaving as it should? This wikiHow article teaches you how to resolve all types of keyboard problems by resetting your PC or Mac's keyboard. There are many ways to reset your keyboard, and the processes vary on Windows and macOS. But don't worry—they're all super easy and you'll be back to your normal typing experience in no time!
Quickly and Easily Reset a Keyboard to Factory Settings
You can reset many keyboards using the ESC key. Unplug or turn off your keyboard, then press ESC while you reconnect it to your computer. Keep holding the ESC key until the keyboard begins to flash, then disconnect the keyboard and reconnect it again.
Steps
Section 2 of 7:
Resetting the Keyboard Language (Windows)
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Switch the keyboard language using the Input menu icon. If you're seeing characters from the wrong language as you type, it's usually because the wrong language is selected as the input language. To switch to a different language quickly, click the current language in the taskbar, just left of the system clock. It's usually at the bottom-right corner of the screen. Then, select the language you want to type in.
- If you don't see the Input menu icon, don't see the language you need, or want to change your default keyboard input language, continue to the next step.
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Click Time & language . It's a clock-shaped icon in the middle of the window.
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Click the Language tab. It's in the left panel.
- If you only have one language installed under "Preferred languages," you won't see the Input menu in the system tray. This icon only shows up if multiple languages or inputs are installed.
-
Click the Keyboard icon. It's in the upper portion of the right panel.
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Select Use language list (recommended) from the menu. It's at the top of the window. This tells Windows to use the first language in your list as the default language.
- Click the back button to return to your Language settings.
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Move your preferred language to the top of the list. To do this, select the language and click the up-arrow until it's at the top of the list. Windows will now default to using the language at the top of the list if you have multiple languages installed.
- If you don't see the language you want to use, click the + next to "Add a language," select the language, click Next , and then click Install language pack to install it.
- You can remove a language you no longer want to use by clicking it once and selecting Remove .
- If the language is correct but the layout isn't (for example, if you're using the US English keyboard in the DVORAK layout rather the QWERTY), select the language, click Options , choose Add a keyboard , and then choose the desired layout to add it.
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Section 3 of 7:
Resetting the Keyboard Language (Mac)
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Switch the keyboard language using the Input menu icon. If your keyboard is typing characters from the wrong language when you type, it's usually because the wrong language is selected as the input language. To switch to a different language quickly, click the current language's icon in the menu bar at the top of the screen and select the language you want to type in.
- Depending on your version of macOS, this icon may look like a country flag, or it might be just a two-letter language code (e.g., US for US English).
- If you don't see this icon, you'll have to activate it, which you'll learn to do in a moment.
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2Open your Mac's System Settings . You can get there by clicking the Apple icon at the top-left corner and selecting System Settings from the menu.
- If you’re using an old version of macOS, this option may be called System Preferences instead.
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3Click the Keyboard icon. Scroll down in the sidebar on the left side of the System Settings window to find it. This opens your keyboard settings.
- In older versions of macOS, you’ll find it in the main System Preferences window.
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4Click Edit… next to “Input Sources”. You’ll find this setting under the Text Input header about halfway down the screen. [2] X Research source
- If you’re using an older version of macOS, click the Input Sources tab at the top of the window instead.
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5Toggle on "Show Input menu in menu bar". You’ll see this option at the top of the menu. Click the toggle switch to turn it on (the toggle will move right and turn blue when it’s in the ON position).
- In older versions of macOS, this box is at the bottom of the window.
- When this setting is turned on, the Input menu will display in the menu bar. You can now click the icon to switch keyboard languages at any time.
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6Remove any languages you don't want to use (optional). If you want to completely remove a keyboard language from your Mac, you can do so by clicking that language and then clicking the minus sign below the language list.
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7Add another language (optional). If your preferred keyboard language does not appear on the list, you can add it by clicking the + below the list, selecting the language, choosing a keyboard layout, and then clicking Add .
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8Click Done . When you’re finished making any adjustments to the Input Sources settings, click Done at the bottom of the window. This will take you back to the main Settings window.
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Section 4 of 7:
Reinstalling the Keyboard Drivers (Windows)
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Open the Device Manager. This program allows you to reset hardware on your computer. A faulty driver can be responsible for all sorts of keyboard problems on Windows PCs, including erratic behavior and unresponsiveness. This method will help you delete the current driver and replace it with a clean version. To open Device Manager:
- If your keyboard is working, click the Start menu, type device manager into the search bar, and then click Device Manager in the search results.
- If you can't type, click the Start menu, scroll down the programs list, expand the Windows System folder, select Control Panel , and then click Device Manager .
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Scroll down and expand Keyboard . Click the arrow icon to the left of the Keyboard heading. A drop-down list of your currently connected keyboards will appear.
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Select the keyboard that you want to reset. Click on a keyboard's name to select it.
- The names of the keyboard might be generic, such as "Standard PS/2 Keyboard" or "HID Keyboard Device." If you have a laptop and have connected a secondary keyboard (connected via USB or through a USB-based wireless receiver), the "Standard" keyboard is the one built into the laptop, and the HID keyboard is the secondary one. [3] X Research source
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Click the "Uninstall" icon. It's the red X at the top of the window.
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Click Uninstall to confirm. Doing so removes the keyboard from the Device Manager.
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Click the "Scan for hardware changes" icon. It's the computer monitor icon in the upper-right side of the Device Manager window. Clicking this will scan your PC for connected hardware that doesn't have a driver (such as your keyboard) and reinstall the driver automatically.
- At this point, try using your keyboard again. If it works, great! If not, you may need to install a specific driver. You can also continue with this method to try updating the driver.
- If your external keyboard is not detected, unplug it (or power it off completely if it's connected via Bluetooth). When you plug it back in or turn it back on, Windows should install the drivers automatically.
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Select the keyboard again. The keyboard's name will appear in the Keyboards section. Depending on the driver used to reinstall it, it may have a different name than it did before.
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Click the "Update drivers" button. This option is at the top of the window, and looks like a black box with a green arrow facing upward.
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Click Search automatically for updated driver software . It's the top option in the pop-up window. This will prompt Windows to begin searching for the most recent software updates for your keyboard.
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Allow the newest drivers to install. If there are any drivers available for your keyboard they will install automatically.
- If there aren't any new drivers, click Search for updated drivers on Windows Update . If an update is available, click Install now to download it—Windows Update is the best way to get the latest drivers for your PC.
- You may be prompted to restart your PC after updating the drivers.
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Section 5 of 7:
Restoring Default Keyboard Settings (Mac)
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1Open your Mac's System Settings . You can find it by clicking the Apple menu at the upper-left corner of the screen and selecting System Settings on the menu.
- In older versions of macOS, this option is called System Preferences instead.
- Use this method if you've tweaked some keyboard settings, such as shortcuts and automatic corrects, but want to return to the defaults.
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2Click Keyboard . This keyboard-shaped icon is in the menu bar on the left side of the System Settings window.
- In older versions of macOS, it’s in the main System Preferences window. Clicking it opens your Keyboard settings to a tab called Keyboard
by default.
- If you're not on the Keyboard tab, click Keyboard near the top of the window to go there now.
- In older versions of macOS, it’s in the main System Preferences window. Clicking it opens your Keyboard settings to a tab called Keyboard
by default.
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3Click Keyboard Shortcuts… . You’ll see this button about halfway down the Keyboard settings menu.
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4Go through the tabs and select Restore Defaults . In the window that pops up, you’ll see a series of tabs in the menu pane on the left. These will display any keyboard shortcuts that are associated with each part of your system (e.g., your Display settings, specific apps, and so on). Click on each one and then click Restore Defaults on the bottom left side of the window.
- The last tab on the list, Modifier Keys
, will display the actions that are associated with your keyboard’s special keys (such as Fn
, Control
, and Option
). If you’ve made any changes to these defaults, you can reset them here.
- In older versions of macOS, go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Keyboard tab > Modifier Keys to change your modifier key settings.
- When you’re finished, click Done to close the window.
- The last tab on the list, Modifier Keys
, will display the actions that are associated with your keyboard’s special keys (such as Fn
, Control
, and Option
). If you’ve made any changes to these defaults, you can reset them here.
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5Click Text Replacements… and remove unwanted settings. In the main Keyboard settings window, select Text Replacements… . It’s under the Text Input header. A window will open displaying any automatic text replacements you have in your settings (for example, replacing “omw” with “On my way!”). Select any you don’t want and click the - button. Click Done to close the window.
- In earlier versions of macOS, you can find this list of replacements in System Preferences > Keyboard > Text tab .
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6Click the Accessibility icon in Settings. When you’re done with your changes in the main Keyboard Settings menu, navigate to Accessibility in the left-hand menu of System Settings . It's the blue circle with a white outline of a person inside.
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7Click Keyboard . You’ll find this under the Motor header.
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8Toggle off any settings you don’t want. Check if any settings have been turned on that you’d rather not use, such as "Enable Sticky Keys", "Enable Slow Keys," or "Accessibility Keyboard". If any of these options are enabled, disabling them will restore your Mac's original method of keyboard input.
- These options are accessibility features designed to make typing easier for people with limited mobility. [4] X Research source
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9Restart your Mac . Most of your changes should go into effect right away, but if they don’t, try restarting your Mac. Open the Apple menu , click Restart... , and click Restart when prompted. Your Mac's keyboard should be back to normal once your Mac finishes restarting.
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Section 6 of 7:
Re-Pairing a Bluetooth Keyboard (Windows)
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Turn off your Bluetooth keyboard. The location of the power button varies by keyboard, but you'll usually find it on the bottom or side of the keyboard.
- Use this method if you're having trouble keeping your Bluetooth keyboard paired to your PC.
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Open your Windows Settings . You'll find this gear icon in your Start menu, toward the bottom-left side.
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Click Devices . It's the icon of a keyboard and smartphone.
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Click the Bluetooth and other devices tab. It's on the left side of the window.
- If Bluetooth is disabled, click the "Bluetooth" switch at the top to turn it on.
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Click your keyboard in the device list. It'll be under "Mouse, keyboard, & pen." A "Remove device" button will expand.
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Click the Remove device button. A confirmation window will appear.
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Click Yes to confirm. This unpairs the keyboard from your computer.
- If Bluetooth is disabled, you'll need to reenable it now.
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Turn your keyboard on and click + Add Bluetooth or other device . It's at the top of the right panel.
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Click your keyboard when it appears in the list. Depending on your keyboard, additional instructions may appear on the screen. Follow them, if so.
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Click Done . You've now re-paired your Bluetooth keyboard to your PC.
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Section 7 of 7:
Re-Pairing a Bluetooth Keyboard (Mac)
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Turn off your keyboard. Press and hold the Power button on the back of the keyboard (for newer models) or on the right side (for older models) for at least three seconds to turn it off. [5] X Research source
- Use this method if you're having trouble keeping your Bluetooth keyboard paired to your Mac.
- You may need a Lightning cable to pair your keyboard back to your Mac. Make sure you have one available.
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2Open your Mac's Apple menu . Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
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3Click System Settings . It's near the top of the drop-down menu.
- In older versions of macOS, this is called System Preferences .
-
4Click Bluetooth . It's the icon that looks like a sideways bowtie or ribbon. It’s located near the top of the left-hand menu in System Settings .
- If Bluetooth isn't on, toggle on the switch next to Bluetooth at the top of the window.
-
5Click the i next to your keyboard in the list. A new popup window will open.
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6Click Forget This Device… . In the warning message that pops up, click Forget again to confirm.
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Press and hold your keyboard's Power button to turn it back on. When the keyboard comes back on, it will reappear in your list of Bluetooth devices. Click on it to reconnect if it doesn’t connect automatically.
- If your keyboard doesn't reappear in the list of Bluetooth devices, connect it to your Mac using a Lightning cable. Once connected, it should activate Bluetooth and automatically pair your keyboard. [6] X Research source
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Community Q&A
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QuestionCannot get the @ key to work. I get inverted commas instead. What have I done?Community AnswerI'm guessing you are using a British keyboard with an American PC system or vice versa. To change back in Windows 10, go to Settings > Time and Language > Region and Language.
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QuestionWhat should I do if both my keyboard and mouse are not working?Community AnswerYou will likely need to replace your keyboard and mouse. You could also try searching for tutorials on YouTube that might help with the issue.
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QuestionWhat should I do if the keys do not respond to typing?Community AnswerPress CRTL ALT and Delete. When it goes there, hit Cancel. If that does not work, shut down the computer and turn it back on again. That usually fixes it. And check the batteries inside the keyboard, or its power connection. A lack of power will stop it from working!
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Video
Tips
- Resetting your keyboard may fix your keyboard issues, but it will also wipe any custom settings you had for your keyboard.Thanks
- If your keyboard uses batteries, it's a good idea to use the manufacturer's recommended brand if applicable.Thanks
- If resetting your keyboard settings doesn't solve your issue, there may be a problem with your actual keyboard.Thanks
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All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
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References
- ↑ https://help.corsair.com/hc/en-us/articles/360025465031-Keyboard-Troubleshooting-Guide-Quick-Solutions-for-Common-Problems
- ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/change-input-sources-settings-mchl84525d76/mac
- ↑ https://nerdschalk.com/what-is-hid-keyboard-device-how-to-install-hid-keyboard-drivers/
- ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/change-keyboard-hardware-preferences-mh40580/11.0/mac/11.0
- ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204621
- ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/102498
About This Article
Article Summary
X
1. Press Windows Key + S.
2. Type "device manager."
3. Click Device Manager
.
4. Expand the "Keyboard" menu.
5. Select the keyboard and click Uninstall
.
6. Click Yes
.
7. Click Search for updates
.
8. Select the keyboard and click Update drivers
.
9. Click Search automatically for updated driver software
.
10. Restart the computer.
Did this summary help you?
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,006,619 times.
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