Windows 10: Intermittent keyboard non-functioning

I use a wireless mouse and keyboard. Every now and then, often enough to be irritating, the keyboard fails to function: the mouse works properly. The keyboard problem persists for a few minutes, after which it works again. There is no discernable pattern to this problem.

This is the third wireless keyboard to show the same problem, suggesting something is wrong elsewhere.

The keyboard batteries are not responsible for the failure.

On the same desk is a cordless telephone.

Any helpful suggestions would be very gratefully received.

:)

 

Keyboard and Mouse non-functional

What I did to resolve the issue was to boot the PC without the mouse or keyboard attached. When Windows 10 came up I reattached the input devices and was able to navigate. But I also needed to use SET POINT to get the drivers to be recognized.

 

Keyboard and Mouse non-functional

Hi Thomas,

Thank you for updating the status of the issue.

What do you refer to, when you say “I needed to use SET POINT to get the drivers to be recognized”?

Kindly be informed that when you connect Mouse or keyboard to the computer, the drivers get installed automatically. If any of the external devices are not working, you may try to update the drivers and check the functionality.
Refer to the following article to update all the drivers available in Windows 10.

How to: Install and Update drivers in Windows
10

Kindly let us know if you need any further assistance with Windows. We are glad to assist you.

Thank you.

 

I wonder if you are suspecting interference from other wireless transmitting devices? Your comment about the cordless phone suggests an obvious test - could you relocate the phone elsewhere and see if the problem still occurs? The same with any other wireless devices located nearby. Do you have any nearby electrical devices or lights which emit radio frequency noise?

 

Thank you for replying.

I did wonder about the telephone, but it's designed to cover the whole house (and the garden) so I can't see that moving it will make any difference. In any case it's constrained by the position of the telephone socket: my PC is a desktop and the desk is built into the room just by the phone socket. I can't imagine designers specify the same frequency and coding for telephones and keyboards. Temporarily relocating the phone. or just unplugging it is likely to prove inconclusive with an intermittent keyboard fault, I reckon - some days it's all OK.
Deep down, I suspect a driver problem. I've tried uninstalling all references to the keyboard in device manager and letting it re-install, but that didn't make any difference.

 

My problem with a wireless keyboard and mouse turned out to be interference from a Powerline network adapter that sends my Ethernet signal via the mains power cable to another room where I have a second PC. That's why I asked about other devices you may use.

Your driver theory could be right but its odd that all three keyboards suffered. It could be another driver for a motherboard component that is hogging resources and causes these temporary delays. If you have not done so make sure the motherboard drivers are all up to date.

 

Thank you again for replying.

You have indeed jogged my memory: I do use a powerline network adapter, jut forgot about it. I use it to stream video to my living-room, so it sees a great deal of use. I don't know whether there is any option to change its operating parameters: as I recall, it just plugged into the mains and then worked. I'll explore the instructions after breakfast.

 

I reckon that is the culprit! Try removing it for a while and see if it makes a difference. I never did find a way to stop it interfering, I just went back to a wired keyboard and mouse.

 

I get this issue and have never pinned it down but have always suspected interference
I've suspected wireless phone charger, DECT phone, WiFi router which are all nearby
However, as for Ralph it's not practical to move any of the items, why is it so intermittent tho!

 

Lots of feedback - great!

Intermittent problems are always difficult to pin down. Mainly it occurs when I really want to use the keyboard in a hurry, which is a bit scary.