This issue resurfaces periodically and can have multiple causes. Microsoft officials have officially acknowledged this scenario and released an update to fix it. We will go through all the possible situations and iterate through the solutions, starting with the easiest one and working our way down.
What causes the Keyboard not to Work at the Login screen in Windows 10?
As mentioned before, several different reasons may prevent your keyboard from being accessible at the login screen. These can range from a Windows update to physical damage to your hardware. Here are some of the reasons: Since the solutions are extensive and may vary case by case, we recommend starting with the first solution and working your way down accordingly.
Solution 1: Check the Keyboard and Change the Port
The first thing to check is whether your keyboard is working and in good condition. If you have connected a faulty keyboard, you won’t be able to use it. Try connecting another keyboard and check if you can input properly. Also, disconnect all external devices except your keyboard and mouse. Other external devices can conflict with your main keyboard. Try changing ports. If the keyboard is plugged into the front USB slot, connect it to the back and see if you can input. You can also try connecting your keyboard to another computer to check if it works there. Once you are sure that your keyboard is working, proceed with the other solutions.
Solution 2: Power Cycle your Computer
Before moving on to more extensive solutions, note that some users regained control of their keyboard after power cycling their entire system. Power cycling involves shutting down your computer completely and removing the power outlet. This eliminates any bad configurations and refreshes the system.
Solution 3: Disable Filter Keys
Filter keys is an accessibility feature in Windows that allows the computer to ignore brief and repeated keystrokes. There is a known bug where Filter Keys conflict and cause no input at all. We will disable Filter Keys from the login screen to see if this resolves the issue.
Solution 4: Use On-Screen Keyboard and Reinstall Drivers
If the above solutions don’t work and you cannot access your Windows account through the login screen, you can use the on-screen keyboard to troubleshoot further. In this solution, we will try reinstalling your keyboard drivers from the Device Manager to see if it makes any difference.
Solution 5: Update Windows (Installing KB4090913)
Previous Windows updates are known to install incomplete drivers for your keyboard. Microsoft released another patch to fix this issue, ensuring that proper drivers are installed on your computer. We will update Windows to the latest build and see if this fixes the problem. Ensure you have an active internet connection and are logged in as an administrator.
Solution 6: Enable Keyboard Support (BIOS)
If you have an older computer and have plugged in a new USB keyboard, you might not be able to access it because the USB keyboard support in the BIOS is not enabled. You might find a button on your motherboard or try unmounting your boot drive to go directly into the BIOS without a keyboard. You can search for your specific model for more insight. Navigate to your BIOS settings and check if USB Keyboard Support or Legacy Keyboard Support is enabled. If it is turned off, turn it on and check if you can access the keyboard on your login screen.
