How to turn on the BIOS if the keyboard does not work

Entering the BIOS is necessary to perform diagnostics and modify system configurations, but what happens if your keyboard stops responding? It’s a frustrating situation, particularly since these settings can only be accessed via the keyboard.

Fortunately, there are a few solutions available to help you deal with this issue. When dealing with unresponsive keyboards during startup, whether you’re using a desktop or laptop, being aware of these techniques can help you save time and avoid frustration.

Problem	Solution
Keyboard not working	Use a USB keyboard or try a different USB port
No access to BIOS	Connect an external keyboard to a different USB port or use a PS/2 keyboard
Still no BIOS access	Clear CMOS or remove the battery for a few minutes, then try again

The device does not function when selecting an OS

Frequently, the keyboard works in the BIOS itself even though it doesn’t when choosing the system. The only thing that will help with this is updating the bootloader. The disk that the operating system is installed on can be used for this purpose.

If the keyboard isn’t working, there are a few more tricks you can try, though they’re not very common:

1. You can try resetting the settings in the BIOS, for which you should remove the battery for several hours.
2. Another option is updating the BIOS or completely reinstalling it.
3. Replace the power supply.

In the BIOS, how can I activate the keyboard?

Certain issues may arise when replacing an outdated keyboard with a new one. You will need to access your computer’s basic input-output system (BIOS) and make some changes if, after connecting the keyboard, it turns out that it isn’t working.

The Delete, F1, F2, F10, and Ctrl + Esc, Ctrl + Alt + Esc, and Ctrl + Alt + S key combinations can all be used to access the BIOS. Depending on who made the software, there could be variations in the options. The words "Press… name of the key… to enter setup" that appear on the monitor screen when the computer boots up will direct you in the correct direction. Since the new system does not yet have vision, you must use the old keyboard to access the BIOS.

Having entered the BIOS system, you need to find the USB Controller tab you are interested in. This option must be enabled – Enabled. Next, you need to follow the USB Keyboard Support (or USB Legacy Support) tab – here you also need to set Enabled. Perhaps, your BIOS version has a USB Keyboard Support Via tab (which means support for a USB keyboard via BIOS or an operating system). In this case, you need to select the BIOS value for it so that you can change the settings using the keyboard in this program if you need to work, for example, in DOS. If you intend to use the keyboard only in the operating system (Windows), then the option value will need to be changed to OS.

The new keyboard will undoubtedly function if your computer’s BIOS supports a USB keyboard and all of the settings are made correctly. If not, you must reinstall the BIOS. But it is best to leave this operation to the professionals.

Buying a USB-PC/2 adapter is the simplest and, possibly, the better option before tampering with the BIOS system. Your new keyboard will function flawlessly with it.

• https://laptop-info.ru/chto-delat-esli-v-bios-ne-rabotaet-klaviatura/
• https://fixerro.com/1432-ne-rabotaet-klaviatura-v-biose/
• https://lumpics.ru/keyboard-does-not-work-in-bios/
• https://itguides.ru/hard/bios/ne-rabotaet-klaviatura-v-biose.html
• http://remont-fridge-tv.ru/otvet_/-vopros-otvet_/kak_v_bios_vkljuchit_klaviaturu.html

Setting the correct parameters

However, there are also some dangers in this. The primary system itself may have disabled support for USB keyboards, which could be the root of the issue.

In this scenario, you’ll need to connect a PS/2 keyboard or, if that’s not feasible, use a special button on the laptop to access the BIOS. From there, locate and examine the set value for parameters like USB Keyboard Support and Legacy USB Support. It will be set to Disabled if this is the real cause. It must be set to Enabled, and when you exit, you must save the changes (F10, Y). Thereafter, a reboot will occur. Maybe this is how the issue can be resolved.

How to work without a mouse

It’s fun to work with a mouse. It offers simplicity, speed, and accessibility to a range of functions. However, you can just as easily control the actions of a computer or laptop with a set of hot keys on the keyboard.

A few standard hot keys are:

• Ctrl + ESC – go to start
• Alt + Tab – move between windows
• Win + D – minimize all windows
• Tab – sequentially move to Start, quick launch panels and program tabs, to desktop shortcuts. To move around inside, use the arrows.

We now know that starting and operating a PC or laptop can be done without a mouse or keyboard.

Troubleshooting and solution

You must first verify that the keyboard is connected correctly. If the keyboard functions properly when the operating system loads, there is unquestionably an issue with the connection. It’s also problematic, to put it mildly, to connect the device to the USB port incorrectly. When the motherboard has a PS/2 connector, it’s a whole other story; the keyboard must go into the purple connector, though it can be any color. The connector appears like this:

The wire’s integrity is then inspected for damage. You shouldn’t rule out the possibility that your household pets "worked" with the wire if you have any.

Take extra care around the plug, as there’s a chance that the contacts there are damaged.

Disconnect the keyboard and mouse and turn off the computer. After that, carefully reconnect it, then turn on the system unit or laptop by pressing the power button. Perhaps all that needs to be done to "cure" this is a simple computer reboot.

Check the BIOS to see if the keyboard functions by connecting it to another device, if at all possible.

It is likely that the BIOS on your outdated computer does not support USB ports if it is running an outdated version of the program. This implies that you will need to buy a basic adapter in order to use the keyboard. This is how it appears:

Although support for USB ports is enabled by default, it is also possible that it is not enabled. You must locate the USB Keyboard Support or Legacy USB Support items in the BIOS in order to verify this. You will notice the word Disabled next to the designated items if the ports are actually disabled. As a result, you must set this item to Enabled. It is likely that you will need to use a PS/2 keyboard for this, or a mouse if the BIOS allows it. Remember to save the modifications before quitting the BIOS.

Internet research revealed an intriguing solution that proved helpful to a number of users: taking the battery out of the motherboard. But to accomplish this, you have to turn off the computer, unplug its network, take out the battery, wait a minute, and then put it back in. The BIOS settings will be returned to their original value in this scenario.

Certain parts of the system unit itself may occasionally be the root of the issue. Thus, one user experienced an issue with the power supply (which, incidentally, needed to be replaced), and another user ordered a long-life memory bar. It’s not quite clear how the parts are connected, but the fact remains a fact.

Reinstalling the BIOS is an additional choice. However, I think that this only applies in the rarest of situations—when none of the previously mentioned advice will be helpful at all.

Use your comment to let the blog readers know if you have an original solution to the issue.

I can"t enter the BIOS (UEFI) – the computer does not respond to the DEL, F2, ESC buttons

A query from a user

Please assist me with one issue: I’ve already tried all the buttons (DEL, F2, ESC, F12, etc.) and the computer isn’t responding, so I can’t get into the BIOS. Motherboard: (per the PC specification) GIGABYTE GA-H11. What actions are possible?

It’s hard to pinpoint a specific cause (you accidentally gave the wrong motherboard model, by the way). Most often, a "non-working" keyboard or a key that was chosen incorrectly prevents you from accessing the BIOS.

I’ll list everything you should be aware of in order below.

Note: There is another method (see p. 4, 5 below) if you must access the BIOS in order to install a new operating system.

Finding out the cause of the malfunction

You can precisely determine the root cause of the malfunction by considering the following several main options:

1. The first and, of course, the main thing to start with is to check the connection, that is, its correctness. In this case, it is worth noting that it is almost impossible to connect a standard connector incorrectly, which cannot be said about PS / 2. In the latter case, the correct color must be observed.
2. Perhaps the device does not work because the wires are damaged. This issue is especially relevant when there are any animals in the house.
3. You can try to fix the situation by disconnecting and connecting the set of keys back, but this should only be done when the computer is not working, that is, turned off.
4. To make sure that the set of keys is working properly, it is best to connect to another PC or laptop.
5. Check the PS / 2 connector.

How to reset the BIOS using a removable battery

Even when the computer is not powered on, the BIOS settings are retained. This is made possible by the motherboard battery, which powers the microcircuit continuously. But the BIOS will reset if you take it out for a short while.

After turning off, unplug the computer from the outlet and any other devices. Take out the battery from any laptop you may have.

Locate the battery on the motherboard after removing the case cover.

After removing the battery with caution for ten minutes, replace it. Don’t go overboard because it might not be removable on some devices.

In these situations, your only options are to use the earlier techniques or bring the device to a service center to be reset.

A specialized wire is used to connect the battery to the motherboard on many laptops. Before taking the battery out, unplug the wire from the board if you see one.

After reinstalling it, shut down the casing if required, replace the battery, and boot up the computer.

What to do if the keyboard does not work on the computer via USB

USB is the most widely used interface for linking a keyboard to a computer. Either USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 can transfer data from the peripheral device to the computer at a fast enough rate, so it doesn’t matter which connector you use to connect the keyboard.

When you turn on the computer, if the USB keyboard is not working, you should do the following:

It is important to note that if an older version of the basic software is used, users whose keyboard is connected to the motherboard via USB may experience issues when trying to switch to the BIOS on the computer boot screen. In this instance, you must either use the proper adapter or locate a keyboard with a PS / 2 connector.

You can try a different USB port, connect a USB keyboard, or use the built-in button or jumper on your motherboard to force BIOS access if your keyboard isn’t working and you need to access the BIOS.

On-screen keyboard

In any event, you can still type text using the virtual keyboard, also known as the on-screen keyboard, even though the keyboard is broken.

To find On-screen keyboard, open the search bar and type in Start – Special opportunities – On-screen keyboard. Launch the software that was found.

We can now use it to type text. For instance, I launched a notepad, positioned the mouse pointer there, and began tapping the keys on the virtual keyboard. Text entry began.

The Yandex search bar allows you to accomplish the same thing. There are already some websites with their own virtual keyboard. It’s to the right of the form on Yandex’s home page.

When you click there, this lovely keyboard will launch.

It will, of course, only function on Yandex when a search query is entered in the search bar.

Additionally, Google offers its own "on-screen keyboard," so even in the event that your laptop’s keyboard breaks, you can still search the Internet and enter text into a notepad.

How to enter BIOS without a keyboard: different approaches to different situations

Problems with USB

First, let’s talk about the ability to enable or disable support for USB-plugged keyboards in the BIOS settings. Naturally, in this scenario, you must somehow access the BIOS and modify the menu item in charge of initializing USB keyboards to a value that differs from the one that is there now. Here, switching to a keyboard with a PS/2 connector plug will help you instead of using a USB keyboard. Upon examining the screenshot, it will become evident to you what sort of connector this is.

Navigate into the BIOS, select the USB Keyboard Support menu item (refer to the screenshot below), and change this parameter to Enabled.

Completed. Restart the computer after saving the modifications. Your USB keyboard is now operational.

Alternative solution to the USB problem ("surgical" intervention)

Naturally, it’s possible that you don’t have a keyboard with a PS/2 connector and that you can’t get one. You have another option in this situation, which is to reset the BIOS settings back to their factory defaults.

Thus, disconnect the computer’s power supply, remove the system unit’s side cover, and take a peek inside. Locate the trigger (see screenshot below) under which CCMOS is written.

After 10 to 20 seconds, switch it to a different position and then go back to the starting position. After doing these, turn the computer on. The USB keyboard ought to function properly.

For owners of some laptops

There are extremely rare instances (the reason is unknown) where laptops have unique BIOS buttons. It can be pressed to enter BIOS mode without requiring a device reboot.

Please press that button if you have one.

Option for Windows 8.1 (for BIOS UEFI)

If relatively old computers have everything working smoothly, then new models might have some issues. We are discussing UEFI, an upgraded BIOS version. In the unlikely event that your computer has UEFI and you are running Windows 81, there is an alternative method for you to access BIOS.

1. So, go to the computer Desktop and open the sidebar.
2. On the panel, select the Settings item.
3. Next, go to Changing computer settings, where click on Update and recovery.
4. In the Recovery section, click Advanced startup options and reboot the computer.
5. After rebooting, you will see a small menu: click Diagnostics, then Advanced options.
6. All that remains is to click UEFI firmware settings.
7. Reboot the system again to open the UEFI interface.

This is the very easy way to access the Windows 8 UEFI BIOS.1, devoid of keyboard usage.

What to do first?

Prior to doing any troubleshooting, make sure the connection is made correctly.

While it is occasionally possible for a USB 3.0 keyboard to be connected to a USB 2.0 port, it is very rare for USB keyboards to be connected to the wrong port interchangeably.

However, the occurrence of such a scenario is more common with older PS/2 standard keyboards. It is important to remember that the keyboard plug and its matching socket must have the same color—purple—when connecting. But even in this instance, it is highly unlikely for an error to occur.

Instead of a summary

All of the above leads us to the conclusion that, regardless of the circumstances, the issue of keyboard inoperability and access to the main system is easily resolved, barring physical damage or defects.

However, there could be numerous causes for this occurrence. Furthermore, they are not always linked only to physical flaws. Usually, a general reset or just turning on support will suffice for the same USB devices. In 99 out of 100 cases, this is helpful.

Lastly, if we are speaking of a worldwide issue, the keyboard not functioning at all can be detected right away when the computer terminal turns on and the welcome screen appears (it will be reported that the keyboard is missing). In this scenario, you’ll need to either make sure the connection is making sense or try the previously mentioned solutions, which include getting a new device in place of the malfunctioning one.

This is a succinct way to wrap up the piece:

When attempting to access the BIOS without a working keyboard, a little ingenuity is frequently needed to find a solution. Techniques such as connecting a wireless keyboard, experimenting with different USB ports, or using a USB-to-PS/2 adapter can be useful fixes.

It’s also worthwhile to look into other possibilities, like updating the BIOS on a different machine or establishing a remote desktop connection. When more conventional techniques don’t work, these strategies can provide a backup.

Even if your keyboard isn’t working properly, you can still successfully navigate the BIOS settings with a little perseverance and the appropriate technique.

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