Some keys on my laptop broke.

Terrance Aho 0 Reputation points
2026-09-15T07:58:50.5966667+00:00

The W, Z, Windows, tilde, and left shift keys don't work on my indows 11 laptop. I tried cleaning the keyboard with rubbing alcohol and I also used canned air but neither wwork. I'm also broke so I can't take it to a technician, please help me.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Devices and drivers
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  1. AI answer

    2026-09-15T07:59:07.64+00:00

    Since cleaning with rubbing alcohol and canned air already did not help, the next useful checks are to separate a Windows problem from a keyboard hardware problem.

    1. Check whether the problem is only in Windows.
      • Restart the laptop and enter the firmware/BIOS or UEFI screen.
      • If those same keys still fail there, that points to a hardware problem.
      • If the keys work there but fail only in Windows, the issue is likely software.
    2. In Windows, check keyboard accessibility settings.
      • In Windows 11, go to Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard.
      • Turn Sticky Keys and Filter Keys off, then test the keyboard again.
    3. Make sure Windows is fully updated.
      • Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update and install available updates.
      • This is especially relevant if special keys such as the Windows key are not functioning correctly.
    4. Test with the On-Screen Keyboard.
      • If the missing keys work normally there, Windows can still receive those inputs, which further suggests the built-in keyboard is the problem.
    5. If the laptop has a removable or external keyboard connection option, try another keyboard temporarily.
      • If an external keyboard works, that strongly suggests the built-in laptop keyboard has failed.
    6. If the same keys still do not work after cleaning and they also fail outside Windows, the most likely cause is hardware failure.
      • Microsoft guidance for repeated or non-responding keys is that if cleaning does not resolve it, the keyboard is likely experiencing a hardware failure and needs service.

    Low-cost workaround:

    • Use the On-Screen Keyboard or a cheap external USB keyboard as a temporary solution.
    • If the laptop keyboard is built in and the failed keys remain nonresponsive, software settings are unlikely to fix physically failed keys.
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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  2. Senthil kumar 2,420 Reputation points
    2026-09-15T08:12:56.83+00:00

    Hi @Terrance Aho

    Root cause :

    May be a hardware or OS / driver issues. first find the root cause reason.

    Solution :

    1. Steps:

    Restart your laptop

    Immediately press F2, F10, Del, or Esc (depending on model)

    Once inside BIOS, try pressing:

    W

    Z

    Left Shift

    Windows key (won’t work in BIOS, ignore)

    Tilde (~)

    Result meaning:

    If W or Z still don’t work in BIOS → hardware failure

    If they DO work in BIOS → Windows software/driver issue.

    1. Win + Ctrl + O → Open on screen keyboard (OSK)

    If OSK works → Windows is receiving input → hardware is failing

    If OSK also fails → Windows is blocking input → software issue

    1. Steps:

    Settings → Accessibility → Keyboard

    Turn OFF:

    Sticky Keys

    Filter Keys

    Toggle Keys

    Restart

    Please follow the above steps and give your feedback.

    Thanks.

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  3. DaveM121 931.8K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-09-15T08:31:37.9466667+00:00

    1

    Open Command Prompt, then paste in this command and press Enter:

    msdt.exe -id KeyboardDiagnostic

    Run that Keyboard Troubleshooter to see if that can solve the problem.

    2

    If that does not resolve this for you

    Open Device Manager

    Expand the Keyboards section

    Right click your keyboard and choose 'Uninstall'

    Then restart your laptop.

    3

    If the problem is still not resolved:

    Bring up the on-screen keyboard, are those keys working correctly on that keyboard?

    Connect another external keyboard to your system, are those keys working correctly on that keyboard?

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