How to Reset Keyboard: A Step-by-Step Guide

Your keyboard is one of the most essential input devices for your computer, whether you’re using it for work, gaming, or casual browsing. However, like any other piece of technology, keyboards can sometimes malfunction or act up. Maybe certain keys stop responding, the layout gets misconfigured, or you’ve accidentally enabled special functions. In such cases, knowing how to reset keyboard settings can save you a lot of frustration. This guide will walk you through various methods to reset your keyboard on Windows, macOS, and even external keyboards.

Whether you’re dealing with a sticky key, software issues, or a keyboard layout problem, this comprehensive article on how to reset keyboard will provide solutions that cater to different operating systems and types of keyboards.

Why Reset Your Keyboard?

Before diving into the methods of how to reset keyboard, let’s understand why you might need to perform a reset:

1. Non-responsive Keys: Sometimes, certain keys might stop working altogether due to software or hardware issues.
2. Changed Layout: If your keyboard layout has changed, for example from QWERTY to AZERTY, a reset might be needed to revert to the original layout.
3. Accidentally Activated Features: Many modern keyboards come with shortcuts and special functions that can sometimes be triggered unintentionally. Resetting the keyboard can disable these features.
4. Software Bugs: If you’ve installed a new program or updated your operating system and noticed your keyboard behaving oddly, resetting it could solve the issue.

Now that you know why resetting your keyboard can be necessary, let’s get into how to reset keyboard on different devices and platforms.

How to Reset Keyboard on Windows

If you’re using a Windows PC and experiencing issues with your keyboard, resetting it can be done in a few simple steps. Here’s how to reset keyboard on Windows 10 and other versions of the operating system:

Method 1: Reset Keyboard Layout in Windows

Sometimes, the keyboard layout changes accidentally, leading to confusion. Here’s how to reset keyboard layout on Windows:

1. Open Settings: Click the Start button and then the gear icon to open the Settings app.
2. Time & Language: Navigate to Time & Language in the Settings menu.
3. Language: In the left sidebar, select Language. Under the Preferred languages section, ensure the correct language (such as English) is selected.
4. Options: Click on your language and then select Options. Under Keyboards, you can add or remove keyboard layouts.
5. Set Default Layout: Make sure the default layout is set to QWERTY (or the layout you prefer). If it’s not, you can change it back.
6. Restart: Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

This method is useful if your keyboard layout has been changed unintentionally, and you need to reset it to its original configuration.

Method 2: Resetting Keyboard Settings in Device Manager

If the problem is hardware-related, such as a keyboard driver issue, here’s how to reset keyboard through the Device Manager:

1. Open Device Manager: Right-click on the Start button and select Device Manager.
2. Find Keyboards: Scroll down and find Keyboards. Expand the section to reveal your keyboard drivers.
3. Uninstall Keyboard: Right-click on your keyboard device and choose Uninstall. This removes the keyboard driver.
4. Restart: Restart your computer, and Windows will automatically reinstall the default keyboard driver upon reboot.

This method can resolve many driver-related issues that may be causing your keyboard to malfunction.

Method 3: Use the On-Screen Keyboard

If your physical keyboard is not responding at all and you’re looking for a temporary solution while figuring out how to reset keyboard, you can use the on-screen keyboard:

1. Open Settings: Go to Start > Settings.
2. Ease of Access: Navigate to Ease of Access and then to the Keyboard section.
3. Turn on the On-Screen Keyboard: Toggle the switch to enable the on-screen keyboard.

This is a helpful workaround while you troubleshoot your physical keyboard.

How to Reset Keyboard on macOS

If you’re using an Apple MacBook or an iMac, and you need to know how to reset keyboard, the process is slightly different from Windows. macOS offers various ways to troubleshoot and reset your keyboard settings. Here’s how to reset keyboard on macOS:

Method 1: Reset Keyboard Settings in System Preferences

macOS provides built-in tools to reset your keyboard settings to default. Here’s how to reset keyboard in macOS:

1. Open System Preferences: Click on the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen and choose System Preferences.
2. Keyboard: In the System Preferences window, click on Keyboard.
3. Restore Defaults: Go to the Input Sources tab, select your keyboard layout, and click Restore Defaults to reset the keyboard to its original settings.
4. Restart: After resetting the settings, restart your Mac for the changes to take effect.

This method is especially useful if your keyboard layout has changed or if special characters are being misinterpreted.

Method 2: Reset SMC (System Management Controller)

If you’re facing issues such as non-responsive keys or overall sluggishness, resetting the SMC can sometimes resolve hardware-related keyboard issues. Here’s how to reset keyboard by resetting the SMC:

1. Shut Down: Turn off your Mac completely.
2. Key Combination: For most Macs, press and hold the Shift + Control + Option keys along with the Power button for 10 seconds.
3. Restart: Release the keys and turn your Mac back on.

Resetting the SMC can solve various issues related to hardware, including problems with the keyboard.

Method 3: Reset NVRAM or PRAM

Another method for how to reset keyboard on a Mac is to reset the NVRAM (non-volatile random-access memory) or PRAM (parameter RAM). This can resolve keyboard and other peripheral issues.

1. Shut Down: Turn off your Mac.
2. Key Combination: Turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold Option + Command + P + R.
3. Hold for 20 Seconds: Continue holding these keys for about 20 seconds. Your Mac may restart during this process.
4. Release: After the reset, release the keys and let your Mac boot up normally.

This reset can help resolve keyboard problems by clearing any corrupted system settings.

How to Reset External or Wireless Keyboards

For those using external or wireless keyboards, resetting the keyboard may involve hardware and software steps. Here’s how to reset keyboard for external devices:

Method 1: Reconnect the Keyboard

If you’re using a Bluetooth or wireless keyboard, the first step in resetting the keyboard is to disconnect and reconnect the device.

1. Remove Device: On Windows, go to Settings > Devices, and remove your keyboard. On macOS, go to System Preferences > Bluetooth, and remove the keyboard.
2. Reconnect: Re-pair the keyboard with your device, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Test the Keyboard: Once reconnected, check if the keyboard is functioning correctly.

Method 2: Reset Bluetooth Module on macOS

If you’re using a Bluetooth keyboard and it’s unresponsive, here’s how to reset keyboard by resetting your Mac’s Bluetooth module:

1. Open Terminal: Press Command + Space to open Spotlight Search, type Terminal, and press Enter.
2. Enter Command: In Terminal, type the following command:
   sudo pkill bluetoothd
   Press Enter.
3. Restart Bluetooth: This will reset the Bluetooth module on your Mac. You can now reconnect your keyboard.

This method resolves issues with Bluetooth keyboards that may have stopped responding or paired incorrectly.

Common Troubleshooting Tips for Keyboard Problems

Sometimes a keyboard issue can be caused by simple factors that don’t require a full reset. Before performing a full reset, consider the following troubleshooting tips:

• Check for Dirt or Debris: Dust and debris can block the keys from working properly. Clean your keyboard to ensure it’s free from any obstructions.
• Update Software: Ensure your operating system and keyboard drivers are up to date. Outdated software can cause incompatibility issues.
• Check Battery Levels: For wireless keyboards, make sure your batteries are fully charged. Low battery power can cause performance issues.
• Use a Different USB Port: If you’re using a wired keyboard, try plugging it into a different USB port to see if the port is the issue.

Conclusion

Knowing how to reset keyboard is an essential skill for any computer user, whether you’re using Windows, macOS, or an external keyboard. From layout changes to hardware malfunctions, resetting your keyboard can resolve a range of issues. In this guide, we’ve covered various methods for resetting your keyboard on different platforms, including resetting the layout, uninstalling drivers, and using built-in system settings.

By following the steps outlined in this article, you’ll be able to troubleshoot and fix common keyboard problems, ensuring that your device remains functional and reliable.