Question:

What could cause my PC to malfunction when I connect my keyboard?

I have tried two different keyboards, but both of them make my PC type random letters instead of the ones I press. Sometimes, my PC also shuts down and restarts in a loop when the keyboard is connected. The problem goes away when I unplug the keyboard. I am using a virtual keyboard to write this. Is this a hardware or a software issue? How can I fix it?

Answer:

If you have ever experienced your PC typing random letters, shutting down, or restarting when you connect your keyboard, you might be wondering what is causing this problem and how to fix it. Is it a hardware or a software issue? The answer is not straightforward, as there could be multiple factors involved. In this article, we will explore some of the possible causes and solutions for this problem.

Possible causes

• Faulty keyboard: One of the most obvious causes of this problem is a faulty keyboard. If your keyboard is damaged, dirty, or has loose connections, it might send incorrect signals to your PC, resulting in random typing or other malfunctions. This could happen with both wired and wireless keyboards, especially if they are old or have been exposed to water, dust, or physical impact. To check if your keyboard is faulty, you can try connecting it to another PC or device and see if the problem persists. If it does, you might need to replace your keyboard with a new one.
• Incorrect keyboard settings: Another possible cause of this problem is incorrect keyboard settings on your PC. If your keyboard layout, language, or region settings do not match your keyboard, you might experience random typing or other errors. For example, if your keyboard is set to QWERTY but your PC is set to AZERTY, you might type different letters than what you expect. To check your keyboard settings, you can go to Control Panel > Clock and Region > Change keyboards or other input methods > Change keyboards and make sure your keyboard matches your PC settings. You can also try changing your keyboard language by pressing Windows key + Spacebar and selecting the correct language.
• Malware infection: A more serious cause of this problem is malware infection on your PC. Malware is malicious software that can harm your PC or steal your data. Some types of malware can hijack your keyboard and make it type random letters, shut down, or restart your PC. This could happen if you download or open suspicious files, visit unsafe websites, or click on malicious links or ads. To check if your PC is infected by malware, you can run a full scan with a reputable antivirus program and remove any threats detected. You can also use a malware removal tool like Malwarebytes or AdwCleaner to get rid of any unwanted programs or browser extensions that might be causing this problem.
• Driver issues: A less common but possible cause of this problem is driver issues on your PC. Drivers are software that allow your PC to communicate with your hardware devices, such as your keyboard. If your drivers are outdated, corrupted, or incompatible, they might cause your keyboard to malfunction or not work at all. This could happen if you install or update your drivers incorrectly, or if your PC has hardware conflicts or compatibility issues. To check your driver status, you can go to Device Manager > Keyboards and see if there are any yellow exclamation marks or red crosses next to your keyboard. If there are, you can try updating, uninstalling, or reinstalling your drivers and see if that fixes the problem.

Possible solutions

Depending on the cause of your problem, there are different solutions you can try to fix it. Here are some of the possible solutions:

• Replace your keyboard: If your keyboard is faulty, the simplest solution is to replace it with a new one. You can buy a new keyboard online or from a local store, and connect it to your PC. Make sure your new keyboard is compatible with your PC and has the correct layout, language, and region settings. You can also try using a different type of keyboard, such as a USB, Bluetooth, or wireless keyboard, and see if that works better for you.
• Reset your keyboard settings: If your keyboard settings are incorrect, you can try resetting them to the default values. You can do this by going to Control Panel > Clock and Region > Change keyboards or other input methods > Change keyboards > Advanced Key Settings > Reset to defaults. You can also try using the Troubleshoot option under Keyboard to diagnose and fix any keyboard problems.
• Clean your keyboard: If your keyboard is dirty, you can try cleaning it to remove any dust, dirt, or debris that might be interfering with its functionality. You can use a soft cloth, a cotton swab, or compressed air to gently wipe or blow away any dirt from your keyboard. You can also use a mild cleaner or alcohol to disinfect your keyboard, but make sure you unplug it first and let it dry completely before using it again. Do not use any harsh chemicals or water that might damage your keyboard.
• Scan and remove malware: If your PC is infected by malware, you need to scan and remove it as soon as possible to prevent further damage or data loss. You can use a reliable antivirus program and a malware removal tool to scan your PC and get rid of any malware that might be causing your keyboard problem. You can also use a firewall and a VPN to protect your PC from future malware attacks. You should also avoid opening or downloading any suspicious files, visiting any unsafe websites, or clicking on any malicious links or ads that might infect your PC.
• Update or reinstall your drivers: If your drivers are causing your keyboard problem, you can try updating or reinstalling them to fix it. You can use the Windows Update feature to automatically download and install the latest drivers for your PC. You can also use a driver updater tool like Driver Booster or Driver Easy to scan and update your drivers with one click. Alternatively, you can manually download and install the drivers from the official website of your keyboard manufacturer or your PC manufacturer. You should also check for any hardware conflicts or compatibility issues that might affect your drivers.

Conclusion

Your

keyboard problem can be caused by various factors, such as a faulty keyboard, incorrect keyboard settings, malware infection, or driver issues. Depending on the cause, you can try different solutions, such as replacing your keyboard, resetting your keyboard settings, cleaning your keyboard, scanning and removing malware, or updating or reinstalling your drivers. If none of these solutions work, you might need to contact a professional technician or your PC manufacturer for further assistance. We hope this article has helped you understand and solve your keyboard problem. Thank you for reading.