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How to Disable a Laptop Keyboard in Windows 11

Disable or permanently uninstall your Windows 11 keyboard

By Brad Stephenson Brad Stephenson Freelance Contributor Western Sydney University Brad Stephenson is a freelance tech and geek culture writer with 12+ years' experience. He writes about Windows 10, Xbox One, and cryptocurrency. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on January 14, 2022 Reviewed by Ryan Perian Reviewed by Ryan Perian Western Governors University Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Microsoft Microsoft Apple Google Tablets Accessories & Hardware

What to Know

Open Device Manager, expand Keyboards, right-click your keyboard name, and select Uninstall device.Restarting your Windows 11 laptop will enable your keyboard again.Open Start Menu, type Device Installation Settings, select change device installation settings > No > Save to make the keyboard disable permanent. This article explains the two main methods for disabling a keyboard on a laptop running Windows 11. The first method can be used to temporarily disable a Windows 11 laptop’s keyboard, while the second process explains how to make this change permanent.

How Do I Temporarily Disable My Laptop Keyboard

If you just want to disable your Windows 11 laptop’s keyboard for the current session, follow the steps below. This will turn off all of the keyboard’s functionality until your Windows laptop is restarted or turned off and on again. Make sure you have a mouse connected to your laptop so you can navigate the operating system after the keyboard is disabled. If your device has a touch screen, you should be fine with touch controls and gestures. Restarting or turning your laptop off will undo the below process. Open the Start menu on your Windows 11 laptop. Type Device Manager. You don’t need to select the search bar before typing. The Start Menu will immediately detect anything you type once it’s open. Select Device Manager. Next to Keyboards, select the arrow icon to expand the list of connected keyboards and related devices. Right-click your keyboard's name and select Uninstall Device. The name of your Windows 11 laptop’s keyboard will likely vary depending on your device model and manufacturer. Your laptop’s keyboard and its trackpad, if it has one, will now stop working. To enable your keyboard, restart your laptop.

How Do You Lock the Keyboard on a Laptop Permanently

The above method for disabling a keyboard is effective, but as soon as your laptop is restarted, it will automatically reinstall and activate the keyboard again. Fortunately, you can turn off this automatic reinstall preference fairly quickly in Windows 11. Changing the Windows 11 Device Installation settings can prevent newer device drivers from being installed when needed and can also prevent other accessories and hardware from working properly. This should only be done as a last resort. It’s a lot safer to simply use Windows 11’s Sleep Mode instead of the Restart and Shut Down options to keep your keyboard disabled. Open the Start Menu. Type Device Installation Settings. Select change device installation settings. Select No. Select Save Changes. To undo this change, repeat the above steps and select Yes instead of No.

A Warning About the Incorrect Driver Method

There is another method for permanently disabling or locking a laptop’s keyboard which involves deliberately installing the incorrect driver for it. While this process can disable your laptop’s keyboard, it can also cause some major issues such as the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) that can break your entire device. This method is strongly discouraged and shouldn’t be attempted.

Quick Laptop Keyboard Fixes and Tips

In addition to the two above methods for disabling a laptop keyboard in Windows 11, there are some other things you may want to consider. Do you need to disable your keyboard? Unless your keyboard’s keys are glitching and causing major annoyances, there’s very little need to disable your laptop’s keyboard.Plug in a USB keyboard. Most USB laptops should work with your Windows 11 laptop.Use a Bluetooth keyboard. Another alternative is to connect a wireless Bluetooth keyboard when your main one is broken.Detach your Type Cover. If you’re using a Surface laptop/tablet two-in-one device, you can physically remove the Type Cover keyboard whenever it breaks or glitches.Use the Windows 11 on-screen touch keyboard. Windows 11 has a built-in on-screen keyboard that you can use with a mouse or with touch if your device has a touch screen.

How Do I Disable My Laptop Keyboard 2021 Style

The best ways to disable your laptop’s keyboard in 2021 are likely the same or very similar to the methods used in 2020 and are expected to still be effective in 2022, 2023, and beyond. Both main methods are shown at the top of this page and are written with Windows 11 users in mind though the instructions should also work for those using Windows 10 and Windows 8.

Why Can t I Disable My Laptop Keyboard

If you’re having trouble disabling your keyboard, there are likely two main reasons behind your frustration. You selected the wrong keyboard. Make sure you’re editing the settings for the correct keyboard in Device Manager.Did a Windows 11 restart enable it again? Remember the first method is undone when your laptop restarts. Try placing Windows 11 in Sleep Mode instead.Windows may have updated. The Windows update process also often scans devices for any errors and fixes them. This may have undone your keyboard disable attempts. FAQ How do I disable a laptop keyboard in Windows 10? To disable a laptop keyboard in Windows 10, navigate to Device Manager and then select Keyboards. Right-click Standard PS/2 Keyboard and choose Disable device, then select Yes to confirm. How do I disable a key on my keyboard? To disable a specific key on your keyboard, try a third-party tool such as the free KeyTweak. Download KeyTweak, select the key you want to disable, then go to Keyboard Controls > Disable Key > Apply. Select Restore All Defaults to enable the key again. How do I disable a Mac keyboard? To turn off keyboard access on a Mac, go to the Apple Menu and select System Preferences > Keyboard, then click the Shortcuts tab. Select Keyboard from the menu on the left, then uncheck Turn keyboard access on or off. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Fix It When a Keyboard Won't Type How to Disable the Touchpad on Windows 10 How to Disable a Laptop Keyboard in Windows 10 How Do I Disable a Device in Device Manager in Windows? How to Fix It When Windows 11 Is Stuck in Airplane Mode How to Fix It When the Cursor Disappears in Windows 10 How to Disable the Touchscreen in Windows 11 How To Fix Windows 11 Black Screen Issues How to Enable the Touchscreen in Windows 11 16 Ways To Fix It When Print Screen Is Not Working in Windows How to Unlock a Keyboard That's Locked How to Enable or Disable the On-Screen Keyboard in Windows 10 LogiLDA.dll: What It Means and How to Fix It How to Fix a Floating Keyboard on an iPad How to Enable or Disable the Administrator Account in Windows How to Fix 'No Battery Is Detected' on Your Laptop Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies