Laptop keyboard or trackpad not working

Dead keys, keys that type the wrong letter or repeat, or a trackpad that will not click. It is annoying, and it is nearly always fixable.

Likely causes

• Liquid. Even a small spill weeks ago.
• Worn or broken keys. Individual keys can often be replaced.
• Swollen battery. Pushes the trackpad and keyboard up from below. Stop using the laptop.
• Cable or connector. The whole keyboard dead at once.

Try this first

1. Plug in a USB keyboard. If that works, the laptop itself is fine.
2. Restart and test again before Windows loads, in the start-up menu if you can reach it.
3. Look at the laptop from the side: a bulge under the trackpad means the battery, not the keyboard.

What it costs

A bench diagnostic is £54, deducted from the repair if you go ahead, and you get the price before any work starts. On many laptops the keyboard is replaced on its own; on some it comes with the top cover. Send an enquiry, or see the price list.