If your HP laptop keyboard seems locked in Windows 10, the most common cause is Filter Keys, which makes Windows ignore quick keystrokes. Hold the right Shift key for 8 seconds to turn it off, or go to Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard and turn off Use Filter Keys. If that doesn’t help, restart the laptop, then check Num Lock and the Fn key, and update or reinstall the keyboard driver in Device Manager.
HP laptops don’t have a dedicated “keyboard lock” key, so a keyboard that stops typing is usually a setting, a driver, or a hardware problem. Here’s how to work through each one.
Can’t sign in? Use the on-screen keyboard
On the sign-in screen, click the Accessibility icon in the bottom-right corner and choose On-Screen Keyboard. Click the keys with your mouse or touchpad to type your PIN or password. You can also plug in a USB keyboard.
Fix 1: Turn off Filter Keys
- Press Windows + I to open Settings (or use the on-screen keyboard).
- Click Ease of Access > Keyboard.
- Turn off Use Filter Keys. Turn off Sticky Keys and Toggle Keys too if they’re on.
Fix 2: Restart the laptop
A restart clears temporary glitches. If the keyboard freezes often, also try a hard reset: shut down, unplug the charger, hold the power button for 15 seconds, then plug in and turn it on.
Fix 3: Check Num Lock and the Fn key
- Letters type numbers: On smaller HP laptops, Num Lock can turn some letter keys into a number pad. Press Num Lock (or Fn + Num Lock) to turn it off.
- Top-row keys act strangely: Press Fn + Esc or Fn + Shift (varies by model) to toggle Fn Lock, or change Action Keys Mode in the BIOS.
Fix 4: Update or reinstall the keyboard driver
- Right-click Start and choose Device Manager.
- Expand Keyboards, right-click Standard PS/2 Keyboard (or similar), and choose Update driver > Search automatically for drivers.
- If that doesn’t help, choose Uninstall device, then restart. Windows reinstalls the driver automatically.
You can also run HP Support Assistant to install the latest HP drivers and BIOS updates for your model.
Fix 5: Test the keyboard outside Windows
Restart and press Esc repeatedly to open the HP Startup Menu, then press F10 for BIOS setup or F2 for HP PC Hardware Diagnostics. If the keyboard works there, the problem is in Windows. If it doesn’t, the keyboard or its cable may need repair. HP’s diagnostics include a keyboard test.
Other things to check
- Liquid spills or debris: Turn off the laptop and gently clean around the keys with compressed air.
- Only some keys fail: That usually points to hardware. Contact HP support if the laptop is under warranty.
- Keyboard stopped after an update: Roll back the driver in Device Manager, or uninstall the recent update from Settings > Update & Security > View update history.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a key combination to lock an HP keyboard?
Not on most HP laptops. Pressing Windows + L locks the whole computer, not just the keyboard.
Why does my keyboard work in BIOS but not Windows?
That points to a driver or setting in Windows, such as Filter Keys. Work through Fixes 1 and 4.
Can I use an external keyboard?
Yes. Any USB or Bluetooth keyboard works while you troubleshoot.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.