HP Spectre x360 Keyboard Not Working After Update? Fixes Here
Ever had your HP laptop keyboard call it quits suddenly after a random Windows update? I’ve been in those shoes too, it’s mega frustrating! You go to type and bam – nothing happens. No response at all. So why does it happen? Well, the updates kinda screw up the existing keyboard software drivers. But don’t panic, it’s usually an easy fix! The short fix is to roll back the problematic update or reinstall the keyboard drivers. That should get your typing flow back in a few mins. Read on as I show ya step-by-step how I got my HP keyboard operational again after run-ins with those pesky Windows patches.
Why the Keyboard of Spectre x360 isn’t Working after Windows Update?
There could be a few reasons why your Spectre x360 keyboard stops working after a Windows update:
Driver conflicts: Windows updates often include driver updates which may sometimes clash with existing drivers on your laptop. This conflict can cause various problems like a non-working keyboard.
Firmware issues: Faulty firmware updates released through Windows Update have also been known to disable keyboard functionality.
Power management bugs: Sometimes Windows updates introduce new power management features that end up disrupting communication between the laptop’s keyboard and motherboard.
Incompatible applications: If an update triggers compatibility issues with certain third-party apps controlling your keyboard, it could lead to a malfunction.
So in a nutshell, Windows updates tend to mess with existing drivers, firmware, applications or power management – all crucial for proper keyboard operation.
Being automated, these updates cannot mimic the intricacies of manual installation. Hence the unintended consequences sometimes.
Thankfully, there are some quick troubleshooting steps you can try to get your keyboard up.
Troubleshooting Techniques to Get the Spectre x360 Keyboard Working Again
If your Spectre x360 keyboard has stopped working after a Windows update, don’t panic. There are some troubleshooting steps you can try to get it back up and running again:
Perform Basic Checks First
Before getting into complex solutions, do these simple checks first:
- Restart your laptop – This can resolve temporary software glitches causing keyboard issues.
- Check if Tablet Mode is enabled and disable it – The onscreen keyboard in the tablet overrides the physical one.
- Tilt the entire laptop towards you and retry typing – This re-establishes the connection if disrupted.
If these basic steps don’t work, let’s look at some more advanced troubleshooting techniques:
Software Solutions
Way 1 – Update the Keyboard Drivers
Keyboard drivers act as an interface between the physical keyboard hardware and the operating system. Updating to the latest drivers can solve compatibility issues introduced by Windows updates.
Follow these steps:
Step 1 – Open Device Manager
To open Device Manager, there are several ways:
- Right-click on the Start button and select Device Manager.
- Press Windows Key + X and select Device Manager.
- Search for Device Manager in the Start menu and open it.
Step 2 – Expand the Keyboards section:
- Once Device Manager opens, you’ll see a list of all connected devices categorized by type.
- Locate the Keyboards section and click on the arrow next to it to expand it.
Step 3 – Right-click on the HP Integrated Keyboard Device and select Update driver:
- Look for the entry named HP Integrated Keyboard Device. This may be slightly different depending on your specific HP model.
- Right-click on the entry and select Update driver from the context menu.
Step 4 – Choose Search automatically for updated driver software:
- If newer drivers are available, Windows will download and install them for you.
- If no drivers are found, Windows will notify you.
Way 2 – Uninstall and reinstall the keyboard drivers:
If updating drivers didn’t help, try uninstalling the existing drivers completely and reinstalling fresh copies:
- Step 1 – Follow steps 1-3 from Update the keyboard drivers.
- Step 2 – Select Uninstall device instead of Update driver.
- Step 3 – Restart the computer. Windows will automatically reinstall the drivers.
Way 3 – Set BIOS to Default Settings
Your machine’s BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) handles communication between the OS and hardware. Resetting to default values can eliminate any corrupted settings:
Step1 – Press F10 to open the BIOS settings:
Restart your PC and repeatedly press the F10 key to enter the BIOS.
Step 2 – Press F5 to load the default settings:
Once you’re in the BIOS settings, you’ll see a variety of menus and options. The specific layout and options will vary depending on your BIOS version and manufacturer.
After getting into there, press F5 to change the settings to Default
Step 3 – Press F10 to accept the changes and restart:
After changing the settings to default, press F10 to save the changes.
Once you save and exit, your computer will restart with the default BIOS settings applied.
Way 4 – Disable Intel Integrated Sensor Solution:
This software controller is known to cause conflicts with certain laptop keyboards:
- Step 1 – Open Device Manager.
- Step 2 – Expand the System Devices section.
- Step 3 – Right-click on the Intel Integrated Sensor Solution and select Disable device.
- Step 4 – Restart the computer.
Run HP PC Hardware Diagnostics
This is HP’s built-in diagnostics tool to detect hardware issues like keyboard failure:
- Step 1 – Turn on the computer and immediately press the F2 key repeatedly until you see the HP PC Hardware Diagnostics UEFI screen.
- Step 2 – Select “Component Tests” and then “Keyboard.”
- Step 3 – Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the test.
Uninstall Recent Windows Updates
If you believe a particular Windows update is responsible for your keyboard woes, uninstall it:
- Step 1 – Press the Windows and I keys to launch Settings.
- Step 2 – Go to Windows Update and then Update History.
- Step 3 – Click on Uninstall updates.
- Step 4 – Select the update you suspect is causing the problem and click Uninstall.
- Step 5 – Restart the computer.
The above fixes should help resolve a majority of post-Windows Update keyboard problems on the Spectre x360.
However, if you still face issues, it’s best to consult HP customer support for further assistance. Hardware issues requiring component replacement are better handled by the service center directly.
Now let’s take a look at some commonly asked questions about this problem:
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my HP Spectre keyboard stop working randomly?
Apart from Windows updates, Spectre keyboards can stop randomly due to faulty drivers, incompatible apps, dust/dirt damage, or simply mechanical wear and tear over time.
How do I troubleshoot HP laptop keyboard not working?
Start with basic steps like restarting the laptop or checking for tablet mode. Then update drivers, uninstall recent Windows updates, run hardware diagnostics or reset BIOS. If issues persist, seek help from HP support.
Why does my HP laptop keyboard type the wrong characters?
Incorrect character input generally occurs when keyboard regional settings do not match the physical keyboard layout or due to faulty drivers. You can try changing keyboard settings or reinstalling drivers.
How to fix the HP Spectre x360 keyboard backlight not working?
Disable the Intel Integrated Sensor Solution driver and check if the backlight starts working. Also try updating device drivers, resetting BIOS to default, or toggling backlight key combinations like FN + Backspace or FN + F3/F4.
Is the HP Spectre x360 keyboard waterproof?
No, the Spectre x360 uses a standard laptop keyboard which can get damaged upon contact with water or any other liquid spillage. Special precautions need to be taken to keep it dry and clean.
In Conclusion…
Getting a non-responsive keyboard after installing Windows updates can be annoying, but is rarely permanent. In most cases, it boils down to an incompatible driver or simple software glitch that can be rectified easily.
Start troubleshooting by going through the solutions mentioned above one by one until your Spectre x360 keyboard starts working again. This includes steps like updating keyboard drivers, uninstalling faulty Windows updates, running hardware diagnostics, or resetting BIOS.
However, if all else fails, consult an HP repair expert directly to identify and fix the underlying hardware issue, which could require replacing a malfunctioning keyboard.
And going ahead, to minimize these keyboard problems make sure your system has all the critical hardware drivers up to date and avoid beta releases of Windows updates.
Here’s wishing your Spectre x360 keyboard never stops working and ruins your writing flow!