How to Lock or Unlock a Keyboard on Windows 10 & 11

Use a third-party tool to unlock the keyboard

by Srishti Sisodia
Srishti Sisodia
Srishti Sisodia
Srishti Sisodia is an electronics engineer and writer with a passion for technology. She has extensive experience exploring the latest technological advancements and sharing her insights through informative... read more
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  • To unlock or lock your keyboard on your Windows computer, you can press the Shift key for 8 seconds.
  • You can also use a third-party app to get this done with ease.

Whether you want to temporarily disable the keyboard to prevent accidental input or re-enable it after a period of inactivity, this guide can help!

We will walk you through simple methods to lock or unlock your keyboard on Windows 10 and 11 computers to easily control your keyboard’s input and ensure a smooth computing experience.

How can I lock or unlock a keyboard on Windows 11?

Before engaging in advanced troubleshooting steps, you should consider performing the following checks:

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  • Reconnect the keyboard to ensure it is properly connected.
  • Check the batteries of your keyboard if it is wireless.
  • Ensure the Num Lock key is disabled.
  • Press Windows + L to lock the keyboard instantly.

Once you checked or performed these, move to the detailed methods to lock or unlock the keyboard on your Windows machine.

1. Use the Shift key

  1. Press the Shift key for 8 seconds till you see the Filter keys prompt.Press Shift Unlock A Keyboard
  2. Click Yes to lock the keyboard.EaseOfAccess
  3. Again, press the Shift key for 8 seconds to unlock the keyboard.

2. Use the Settings app

  1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
  2. Go to Accessibility, then select Keyboard. Unlock A Keyboard Accesbility - Keyboard
  3. Toggle on the switch for Sticky Keys and Filter Keys to lock the keyboard.Filter keys
  4. Toggle off the switch for both to unlock the keyboard.

3. Reinstall the Keyboard driver

Note icon NOTE
This method can unlock the keyboard if it is locked due to an outdated or corrupted keyboard driver.
  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.Device Manager Run command Unlock A Keyboard
  2. Type devmgmt.msc and click OK to open Device Manager.
  3. Locate and click Keyboards to expand it.
  4. Right the relevant driver and select Uninstall device.Uninstall driver
  5. Once uninstalled, click Action and select Scan for hardware changes. The driver will be reinstalled.Action scan for hardware changes Restart your computer to confirm the changes.
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  4. Click on Update & Apply Selected to download and install the latest versions.
  5. Restart your PC to ensure the applied changes.
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4. Use the Control Panel

  1. Press the Windows key, type control panel, and click Open.Control Panel start menu Unlock A Keyboard
  2. Select View by as Category and click Ease of Access.Ease of access
  3. Click Change how your keyboard works.Change how your keyboard works
  4. Go to Turn on the Filter Keys & place a checkmark next to it to lock the keyboard, and click OK.Turn on the Filter Keys
  5. To unlock the keyboard, remove the checkmark next to Turn on the Filter Keys and click OK to save the changes.Turn on the Filter Keys to off

5. Use the third-party app

  1. Download the Keyboard Locker app for Windows computers.
  2. Locate the KeyboardLocker.zip file, double-click it, and select Extract all to extract the file.Extract all Unlock A Keyboard
  3. Now click Extract. The folder with Keyboard Locker will open.Extract
  4. Open it and double-click the KeyboardLocker.exe file; you will see a little keyboard symbol in your notification area.Keyboard locker
  5. To lock your keyboard, press Ctrl + Alt + L. The icon changes to indicate that the board is secured.

What can I do to lock or unlock a keyboard on Windows 10?

To lock or unlock the keyboard on Windows 10, you need to have a user account with admin rights on your Windows PC, then follow the methods mentioned above for Windows 11.

So, whether you need to prevent unintended keystrokes while cleaning your keyboard or want to deactivate it temporarily, you can use any of these methods to lock or unlock the keyboard on Windows 10 and Windows 11 to manage your keyboard functionality.

Speaking of managing your keyboard, you can also enable the Filter Keys feature to prevent unintended keystrokes, especially for users with disabilities.

If you are experiencing similar issues, like the Keyboard not working on Windows 11, we recommend you check out this guide to find the solutions.

Please feel free to give us any information, tips, and your experience with the subject in the comments section below.

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