How to Unlock a Keyboard
The average computer keyboard goes through a lot of strain and stress on any given day of working with it. Like any input device, the keyboard is a means by which the user interacts with the programs and objects displayed on the screen. If your keyboard gets locked, here are some tips to get it working again:
What Causes a Locked Keyboard?
Just because a keyboard is locked doesn’t mean that it is no longer functional. Some operating systems like Windows may use “locking” to prevent wild, inaccurate keystrokes by people who have problems handling a computer keyboard. Keyboards on computers with Microsoft Windows sometimes get locked because of these reasons:
Windows Accessibility. Windows provides differently-abled users with different utilities that can help make computing easier and faster. Some of these accessibility options include StickyKeys (which slows down typing), FilterKeys (which ignores quick keystrokes), and ToggleKeys (which includes tones when you press Num Lock, Caps Lock, and Scroll Lock).
Physical damage. Crumbs and dust can get in between your keyboard keys, and physical damage as a result of improper use can also make your keyboard “locked.” You may need to clean or repair your keyboard to get it back to a working state.
Unlocking the Keyboard
If your keyboard is “locked” because of debris or damage, you need to clean or repair the keyboard. If the keyboard is locked because of ou can unlock it by using Windows Accessibility:
Go to the Start Menu and access the Control Panel.
Navigate to the “Accessibility Options” menu.
The first tab controls accessibility options for your computer keyboard. If they are checked, uncheck all the tick-boxes for StickyKeys, FilterKeys, and ToggleKeys. If you need them, adjust the settings on the appropriate “Settings” button for the function.
The next time you accidentally lock your keyboard, or if you think the keyboard is locked, you can try these easy steps to unlock it. That way you can keep your computer working for a long, long time.