Chromebooks are distinguished to be minimalistic and quick in response to users as most of their activity is web-based. That said, Chromebooks can still have a few errors or glitches from time to time. As most of its functions are online, knowing about Chromebook errors can help you tackle and troubleshoot various issues. So if your Chromebook laptop’s keyboard is not working, make sure to clean up your keyboard thoroughly and then attempt the fixes.
In this article, we will be figuring out various fixes for how to make your Chromebook’s keyboard functional again.
Enable the on-screen keyboard to help while you fix
While you are trying to fix your issues with your Chromebook’s physical keyboard, then you can enable the on-screen keyboard to help out. You can do that by following the steps given below:
Step 1: Go to Settings and click on Accessibility.
Step 2: Then click on Keyboard and text input. Click on the toggle switch beside the On-screen keyboard.
You can also switch on the dictation feature where you can use your voice to dictate directions.
Below are seven ways to fix the Chromebook keyboard not working issue.
Also read: How to restart a Chromebook when frozen?
Restart and reset Chromebook
Restarting your Chromebook can be the best way to get rid of any glitches. You can press the power button on your keyboard and the Chromebook will shut down. Now press the power button again to power it back.
To perform a hard reset of your Chromebook, press the power button and the refresh key (fourth button from the top left) simultaneously to perform a hard reset. Let go of the refresh button after the Chromebook is open. This will clear any unnecessary cache.
Switch off Function Keys
Apparently, there is a setting in the Chromebook that may treat your top-row keys as function keys if enabled and due to this, you will not be able to use buttons for functions like controlling brightness, volume, refresh, screenshot, and other such buttons for their original function. If this feature has been turned on, then the top row on your Chromebook keyboard is being used as function keys. To disable the same, follow the steps given below:
Step 1: Head to Settings and then click on Device.
Step 2: From the given list, click on Keyboard and switch off the toggle for Treat top-row keys as function keys
Check certain keys
In the same option as above, under the Keyboard in the Device option which is in Settings, you can control the function of Search, Ctrl, Alt, Escape, and Backspace. If any one of these keys is not working, then their toggle must be disabled. You can enable them if they are not functional.
Alter input method
If your keyboard language is different from your spoken or native tongue, then it can result in words that are incomprehensible to you. You can change the input language in the keyboard by following the steps given below:
Step 1: Head to Settings and click on the Advanced option under Accessibility.
Step 2: Look for Language and inputs and change your language if the wrong language is selected, choose the one more suitable to your location.
Switch accounts
By switching your account to another or a guest mode, you can check if the problem with your keyboard is related to your account. You can do so by browsing in the Guest mode which will not require sign-in credentials.
After you have signed out of your account, you can find Guest mode in the lower right corner of your login screen. If your keyboard is functioning flawlessly in guest mode, then you may have to delete your user account on your Chromebook and create a new account.
Powerwash your Chromebook
Powerwashing is the term used when you want to perform a factory reset on your Chromebook. All of your files will be erased and your saved accounts will be deleted to renew your device to its original state. Beneficial to you, a powerwash will remove any software problems as well as remaining bugs.
You can perform a powerwash by following the steps given as follows:
Step 1: Head to Chrombook’s settings by clicking on the notification menu and then on the gear icon symbolic for Settings.
Step 2: Click on the Advanced option located at the lower left corner in the given options.
Step 3: From the option shown in Advanced, click on Accessibility. Now click on the Reset button in front of the Powerwash option.
Switch off Sticky Keys and enable auto-repeat
Sticky keys on the keyboard, when enabled, hinder your use of keyboard shortcuts, that is, pressing more than two keys simultaneously. You can find the sticky keys toggle in Accessibility, under click on Keyboard and text input settings.
You can also switch on the auto-repeat, which allows you to type one character repeatedly when pressed at any given time. You can find auto-repeat settings in Device, under Keyboard.
Also read: Why is my Chromebook so slow?
