Whether you want to execute a command or need to change a paragraph while curating a document, the Enter key does it all. But if it stops working, then?
Many users have encountered the Enter key not working issue, and in this post, we will address the same.
The Enter key on any Windows PC is the most critical. While a majority of the keys are either value input keys or used in combination, the Enter key has the potential to work as an individual entity and can be used for multiple things. When it stops working for any user, making the most out of a PC can become difficult.
Fortunately, the Enter key not working issue can be easily rectified. There are a few ways you can approach the issue and resolve it. Check them out in the next section and fix the error yourself!
Why Is Enter Key Not Working on My Laptop/PC?
Before we jump into the fixes, let us quickly take a look at what are the possible reasons behind the Enter key not working on your laptop or PC.
- You have spilled something on your keyboard.
- There is an issue with the connection or power supply
- There are driver issues with the keyboard you are using.
- You had tried to remap your keyboard but that malfunctioned.
- Hardware issues have developed over time due to rough usage.
The reasons appear to be casual but can cause the Enter Key to malfunction in your PC in no time. Even if you are careful while using the keyboard, the issue may arise if your PC is not updated regularly or the keyboard drivers are corrupt or outdated.
Ways to Fix the Enter Key is Not Working Issue on PC
While using your system, if you realize that the Enter key is not working, you can try the following practices to rectify the issue.
Fix 1 – Restart Your System
When you first experience the Enter key not working issue, restart your system. Especially if you have Windows updates waiting for a reboot. When your PC has been on for a long time, the input keys like the spacebar and the Enter key often end up misconfiguring themselves.
A quick restart can refresh these keys and restore their functionality. If you are on a PC, you are advised to shut down the PC and remove the power source for a few minutes. What it does is remove any misconfigured memory of your system and give it a completely fresh start.
If you are on a laptop, long pressing the power button can help achieve similar results. A quick restart of your system may revive the Enter key on your keyboard. Hence the method is worth trying.
Fix 2 – Check if the Keyboard is Working on Other Devices
This approach only works for desktop computers. If you have a USB keyboard, simply plug it out from your system and plug it in on a different one. Try using the Enter key on that system. You will soon realize whether the issue lies in the keyboard hardware or your PC’s software.
If the Enter key is working fine on a different system, chances are that your keyboard drivers require a quick update on your PC. The easiest way to update drivers is to use the best driver updating tool. If the keyboard faces a similar issue on the connected device, the possibility of a malfunctioning keyboard goes higher.
Understanding the exact situation is always better, or all your efforts will be useless. Once you have confirmed that your keyboard is working properly with other systems, move on to the subsequent fixes. Otherwise, you should look forward to servicing your keyboard so the hardware issue can be resolved.
Fix 3 – Re-install Your Keyboard to Re-activate the Enter Key
Sometimes when you have used a keyboard for a longer period, you might face the Enter key not working error. It is completely understandable, and there’s nothing to worry about. All you have to do is re-install the device on your system and see if the error is fixed. Here’s how you do it –
- Press Windows + R to open the run search
- In run search, use the command devmgmt.msc
- This will open your Device Manager.
- In the Device Manager, spot the keyboard.
- Right-click on it, and you will find the option to uninstall.
- Click on it, and the Device Manager will uninstall the device.
- After uninstalling the device, click the Action tab of your Device Manager.
- Click the Scan for hardware changes option.
- The connected keyboard should be re-installed by the system.
Once the process ends, check the Enter key should work. If the issue persists, move on to the next fix.
Fix 4 – Install Keyboard Driver Updates
While the keyboard is one of a PC’s most important input devices, people often forget about the keyboard drivers. Most of the time, the updates are included with the Windows Updates you install. However, sometimes, your keyboard may require manual driver updates.
Missing drivers is also one of the biggest reasons Enter key stops working on a PC. You can update your keyboard drivers in two ways –
The first is the traditional way to go to your device manager and select the keyboard to update drivers using Windows Driver Updater wizard. The process takes ages as it takes longer to finish the update. On the other hand, you can automate the driver update process using the Advanced Driver Updater.
A new-age tool that allows you to update all the outdated drivers on your PC in a single click. Now that is interesting and better, isn’t it? To use the tool and update your keyboard drivers, follow the below steps –
Step 1 – Download the Advanced Driver Updater on your PC using the link below.
Step 2 – Install the software and run it to find the Start Scan Now option on the home screen.
Step 3 – Click on the Start Scan Now button, and the software will initiate the search for outdated drivers on your computer.
Step 4 – Once the search is over, you will see a list of all the outdated devices on your computer, including your keyboard. 
Step 5 – Click the Update All option to update all the selected outdated drivers.
These 5 steps can fix almost all the issues related to outdated drivers on your computer. The software is powerful enough to identify outdated drivers and show compatible updates.
Once you have updated the drivers, give your PC a restart, and you will realize that your keyboard’s Enter key is working. It is always better to fix the issue than to look for an enter key not working alternative as it can become difficult to get used to an alternative and not all keyboards allow remapping.
However, if your laptop/PC allows you to remap keyboard keys, you can surely opt for it till you have resolved the issue completely.
From Not Working to Now Working! Fix Your Enter Key Today
These Enter key fixes have been tried and tested by our tech experts, and thousands of readers depend on them. The Enter key plays a vital role in the overall ecosystem of a PC. Hence, it is better to fix any errors with the same.
When a connected device shows signs of malfunctioning, restarting can restore it. Else it is a driver issue. You are good to go in both cases, as you now have fixes available. Download the Advanced Driver Updater and use it frequently to avoid such issues from happening in the future.
That is all for this post. If you have any queries, feel free to drop them in the comments section. Good luck!
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