Quick answer
First check if the problem occurs in all programs or just one, then unplug the keyboard and plug it back into another USB port. Next, turn off Filter Keys and check the keyboard driver in Device Manager. If letters are skipped on the login screen or in BIOS as well, the problem is hardware and the keyboard should be replaced or cleaned.
How to recognize the problem
- Some keys do not respond at all, others work normally
- Letters are skipped or duplicated when typing fast
- Keyboard stops working for a few seconds then comes back
- On a laptop only some keys work or the whole keyboard does not respond
- Characters appear with a delay or repeat on their own
Most common causes
Loose or faulty cable or USB receiver
A poorly connected USB cable or wireless keyboard receiver loses connection intermittently, so letters arrive late or not at all.
Filter Keys or other accessibility options turned on
The Filter Keys option in Windows ignores short and repeated presses, which looks like the keyboard is skipping letters.
Faulty or outdated keyboard driver
Windows sometimes keeps a wrong driver or breaks it after an update, so the keyboard works incorrectly.
Dust, crumbs and worn membranes
Dust collects under the keys or the rubber part wears out, so some keys lose contact, especially on older keyboards.
Conflict with another device or software
Another keyboard, macro program or shortcut tool can intercept presses and change what appears on the screen.
Step-by-step fix
- 1
Determine where the problem occurs
Open Notepad and type a few sentences. Then try the same in another program and on the login screen. If letters are skipped everywhere, the problem is in the keyboard or system, not in one application.
- 2
Check the connection and try another port
Unplug the keyboard and plug it into another USB port, preferably directly into the computer, without a USB hub. For a wireless keyboard, replace the batteries or charge it and put the receiver in a port closer to the keyboard. For a Bluetooth keyboard, remove it from the device list and pair it again.
- 3
Turn off Filter Keys
In Windows go to
Settings > Accessibility > Keyboardand turn off Filter Keys. Also check the options for Sticky Keys and key repeat. On macOS openSystem Settings > Accessibility > Keyboardand turn off options that change key behavior. - 4
Check the keyboard driver
Before uninstalling, prepare another keyboard or use the on-screen keyboard. Right-click Start and open
Device Manager. UnderKeyboardsfind your device, right-click and selectUninstall device, then restart the computer so Windows reinstalls it. If it is a laptop, first check if the manufacturer offers a special keyboard driver. - 5
Test in BIOS or on the login screen
Restart the computer and try typing in BIOS or on the login screen. If letters are also skipped there, the problem is not in Windows or drivers, but in the keyboard, cable or port.
- 6
Clean the keyboard
Turn off the keyboard, turn it upside down and shake gently to let crumbs fall out. Vacuum dust between the keys or blow with compressed air, and wipe the surface with a slightly damp cloth. Do not disassemble the keyboard if you are not sure how to put it back together.
- 7
Check software that changes keys
Close macro, shortcut and game programs running in the background, then test again. If the problem disappears, turn off their shortcuts one by one until you find the culprit. Temporarily disconnecting another keyboard also helps.
- 8
Try another keyboard
Connect another keyboard to the same computer. If it works correctly, the old keyboard is probably faulty. If the other one also skips letters, the problem is in the system or the port, so repeat the driver and USB port checks.
When the problem is in the laptop keyboard
On laptops the keyboard is connected by a flexible cable that can loosen or get damaged over time. If an external USB keyboard works correctly but the built-in one does not, you can temporarily work with the external one. Before replacing the built-in keyboard, check if the computer is under warranty, because opening it yourself often voids the warranty. On newer laptops replacement requires partially disassembling the case and special tools, so it is better to have a service do it. If the problem started after a liquid spill, turn off the computer immediately and do not turn it on until the liquid is completely removed, because a short circuit can damage the motherboard.
How to prevent it
- Regularly clean the keyboard from dust and crumbs
- Do not eat or drink directly above the keyboard
- Use a quality USB cable or fresh batteries in a wireless keyboard
- Occasionally check that keyboard accessibility options are not turned on
When to call a professional
If you have tried another keyboard, another port and cleaning, and the problem still exists, or if it is a laptop under warranty, contact IT support or a service so you do not damage the device.
IT infrastructure maintenance · Servers, networks, backup, security and helpdeskFAQ
Why does my keyboard skip letters only in the browser?
If the problem exists only in the browser, it is probably caused by an extension or a program that changes shortcuts. Turn off extensions one by one and test in another browser or in Notepad to confirm.
Is it safe to uninstall the keyboard driver?
Yes, because Windows automatically installs the default driver on restart. If the keyboard does not work after the restart, connect another keyboard or use the on-screen keyboard to log in.
How do I know the keyboard is physically faulty?
If letters are skipped in BIOS, another keyboard on the same port works correctly, and cleaning does not help, the membrane or contacts are probably damaged. In that case replacement is the safest solution.