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Keyboard Usage and Troubleshooting Guide

Dave G
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How to Connect a Wired, Wireless or Bluetooth Keyboard to Your Computer

When your Wired USB or Wireless USB keyboard is not working as it should, refer to the expanding section below that best matches the issue you are having and follow the instructions.

 

Suggested Quick Fixes:

  1. Reseat the USB cable or wireless USB receiver.
  2. When you have a wireless USB or Bluetooth mouse, install new batteries.
  3. Save any data, close any open program(s) and restart the computer.

 

Wireless USB Keyboard

  1. Locate the wireless USB receiver that came with your keyboard.

    Note:

    When buying a keyboard or mouse with a computer:

    • Look in every compartment of the box that the device(s) came in. The wireless USB receiver is small and can be easily overlooked. The receiver will have an informational tag attached to help you locate the receiver. 

    When buying a keyboard or mouse separately from a computer:

    • The wireless USB receiver will be under the keyboard when buying a keyboard or keyboard, mouse combination, and under the mouse when bought separately. The receiver will have an informational tag attached to help you locate the receiver. Refer to Figure 2 for the typical location, size, and shape of the receiver.


    When you cannot locate your wireless receiver after you have unpacked the devices, some mice and keyboards have a place to store the wireless receiver. Look under the mouse buttons where the batteries are or in the battery compartment on the keyboard.

     

  2. Insert the wireless USB receiver into any available USB port on the computer.

    Notes:
    • The receiver only goes in one way. When the connector does not seem to fit, adjust the angle or flip it over.
    • When using the receiver that came with the keyboard, no driver or configuration is needed for the keyboard to work.
    • Your receiver and keyboard may have a connect button; if so, press the connect button on the receiver and on the bottom of the keyboard.

     

Wired USB Keyboard

  1. Look at the connector on the end of the USB keyboard cable.
  2. Look for a matching port and USB symbol on the laptop or desktop.

    Notes:
    • The connector only goes in one way. When the connector does not seem to fit, adjust the angle or flip it over.
    • No drivers or configuration are needed for the keyboard to work.

 

The Cursor Moves Around Erratically While Typing on the Notebook Keyboard

  1. In the Search box type main.cpl.
  2. Touch or click main.cpl in the list of programs.
  3. Touch or click the CyberPowerPC Touchpad tab. Notes:

    When the CyberPowerPC Touchpad tab is not listed, it means one of two things:

    • The utility is not installed. In that case, refer to CyberPowerPC Knowledge Base article Drivers and Downloads FAQs, for more information on downloading drivers.
  4. Touch or click on the picture of the touchpad.
  5. Touch or click Sensitivity.
  6. Make sure there is a checkmark in the Turn On box to the right of Touch Guard.
  7. Move the circle under Touch Guard all the way to the right (this can always be adjusted back if the setting is too high).
  8. Touch or click Save.
  9. Touch or click the X in the upper-right corner to close the Touchpad Utility.
  10. Touch or click OK on the Mouse Properties window.

Note: For more information, refer to the Microsoft Knowledge Base Article Touch and Keyboard. 

 

Keys on the Keyboard Are Typing Characters Intermittently or Not at All

  1. Reseat the USB cable into the computer.
  2. Make sure the Number Lock Key is set correctly.
  3. Note: The numeric keypad on a desktop keyboard is normally turned on. When it is off, no numbers appear when the keys are pressed. Press the Number Lock Key to toggle the numeric keypad on and off.

    For more information on where the Number Lock Key is, refer to the document that came with the keyboard.

  4. Turn off the computer.
  5. Unplug any non-essential external devices, including the following:
    • Speakers
    • Printers
    • Scanners
    • USB devices
    • USB flash drive or other external storage devices
  6. Make sure the BIOS is updated to the latest version. For more information, refer to CyberPowerPC Knowledge base article What is BIOS and How to Download and Install the latest BIOS?
  7. Turn the computer back on and retest the keyboard. When the keyboard does work correctly, attach one external device at a time and test the keyboard to see which one may have caused the issue.
  8. When the keyboard still only works intermittently, refer to the instructions below that best matches the issue you are having:
    1. When a specific key is not working or sticks, turn off the computer and use a can of compressed air to clean around the problem key and then retest the keyboard. For more information, refer to the How to Clean Your Keyboard section.
    2. When the issue only occurs in a specific application program, test the keyboard in another application program, such as Notepad. If the problem only occurs in a specific program, you need to troubleshoot that specific program.
    3. When you have software that may change how the keyboard operates, uninstall or disable it, including:
      • Keyboard macro programs.
      • External gaming keyboard software or drivers.
      • KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) switch software.
  9. Try another wired USB, wireless USB or Bluetooth keyboard when available, to test if it responds correctly.

 

The Keyboard Outputs Incorrect Characters

  1. Make sure the Number Lock Key is set correctly. Notes:
    • The numeric keypad on a desktop keyboard is normally turned on. When it is off, no numbers appear when pressed. Press the Number Lock Key to toggle the numeric keypad on and off.
    • For notebooks that have a numeric keypad on the right-hand side, it is normally turned on. When it is off, no numbers appear when the keys are pressed. Press the Number Lock Key to toggle the numeric keypad on and off.
    • Some notebooks simulate a numeric keypad by using dual purpose keys. When the Number Lock Key is active, numbers appear instead of letters when pressed. Press the Number Lock Key to toggle the numeric keypad on and off.
  2. Make sure the keyboard language setting in Windows is correct (select the tab below that matches the Operating System (OS) that is installed on your computer for more information).

 

Key Presses are Slow to Respond

  1. In the Search box, type settings.
  2. In the list of programs touch or click Settings.
  3. Touch or click Ease of Access..
  4. Touch or click Keyboard..
  5. Make sure Turn on Filter Keys is set to off.
  6. Close the Settings window.

 

Computer Beeps While Typing

  1. In the Search box, type settings.
  2. In the list of programs touch or click Settings.
  3. Touch or click Ease of Access.
  4. Touch or click Keyboard.
  5. Make sure Turn on Sticky Keys is set to off.
  6. Make sure Turn on Toggle Keys is set to off.
  7. Close the Settings window.

 

How to Clean Your Keyboard

  1. Make sure the computer is turned off.
  2. When using a wired, wireless or Bluetooth keyboard turn the keyboard upside down and shake it gently to remove any loose material.
  3. Use a vacuum cleaner specifically designed for computers, when available.
  4. Use a can of compressed air to remove any additional loose material, when available.

    Caution: Do not turn the can on its side or upside down. This causes a very cold liquid to spray out and can damage your keyboard and skin.
  5. Using a Microfiber or terry cloth wipe the keys and frame around the keys.

    Note: When there is build up, take a cotton swab, microfiber towel or terry cloth and dip it in isopropyl alcohol. It should be damp but not wet. Wipe away the buildup and let the isopropyl alcohol evaporate away before using the keyboard again.

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