USB keyboard is not recognized - what to do?

If your USB keyboard is not recognized by the computer, there can be several reasons. We'll show you how to solve the problem.

Getting started: USB keyboard is not recognized

• If the USB keyboard is not recognized directly the first time or after multiple use, you should restart your PC first.
• If the keyboard still does not work, insert it into another USB port. This may be defective or deactivated.
• If the drivers are not installed automatically or possibly incorrectly, a manual installation of the driver is usually worthwhile. You can get this on the manufacturer's website.

Step 1: reinstall the USB keyboard

1. First open the Control Panel and select the "Devices and Printers" under the "Hardware and Sound" category.
2. If the USB keyboard is displayed here, right-click on it and select the "Remove device" option or a similar measure.
3. Then disconnect the USB keyboard from the PC and plug it in again. Windows should now try to install the keyboard again.
4. In some cases, your problem may already be resolved. If not, follow the instructions in the next paragraph.

Step 2: USB keyboard not recognized - Search Device Manager

You can also use the path through Device Manager to fix the error.

1. Open the settings on your computer.
2. Select the "Devices" area, there you will find the Device Manager.
3. Activate the option "Show hidden devices" under "View" and search for the keyboard in the different categories.
4. With a right click you can either activate, deactivate, uninstall the keyboard or update the driver. With one of the options, your USB keyboard should work again.

In the next practical tip, we will show you how to unlock a locked keyboard.