Is your laptop keyboard causing you trouble? Maybe it’s typing the wrong letters, or you spilled something on it and need to clean it. Disabling a laptop keyboard in Windows 11 can be useful for various reasons, such as when you want to use an external keyboard or if the built-in keyboard is malfunctioning. Whatever the reason, this comprehensive guide will teach you how to disable the keyboard on your Windows 11 laptop temporarily and then permanently using various methods.
Additionally, we’ll discuss how incorrect drivers can lead to the dreaded Blue Screen of Death, and offer easy fixes and tips for common laptop keyboard issues.
Let’s dive into disabling the keyboard in Windows 11/10 can help you in troubleshooting purposes.
Quick Solution
- To Disable Keyboard Temporarily: From Device Manager >> Find Keyboards >> right-click your keyboard name >> and click Uninstall device.
- Your Windows 11 keyboard becomes functional again on restart.
- To Disable Keyboard Permanently: Win + R >> Type sysdm.cpl >> Hardware >> Device Installation Settings > > Choose No >> Save Changes
- To Disable Keyboard Using Registry Editor: Press Win + R >> Type regedit > Go to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\i8042prt >> Double-click on “Start” >> change the value to 4 >> Restart your PC - To Lock the Keyboard: Press “Win + L”, it will bring up the Windows Lockscreen.
Now, let’s find out all the solutions to disable the keyboard on your Windows 11 laptop temporarily and then permanently.
How Do I Temporarily Disable My Laptop Keyboard?
Turning off your Windows 11 laptop keyboard temporarily is useful if you need to clean it. With this method, your keyboard becomes non-functional and will be completely disabled until you restart your computer.
Important Note*: Make sure that you have attached the mouse to your laptop so that you can control it. If you have a touch-screen laptop, you can use your finger to tap and swipe instead, just like you would on a phone or tablet.
To temporarily disable your laptop keyboard:
Step 1: Press “Windows key + X” to and then select “Device Manager”
Step 2: Find the “Keyboards” section and click the triangle/arrow located at the left to show all your keyboards and connected devices 
Step 3: Right-click on your keyboard’s name (usually the first one is keyboard, in my case, it is “HD Keyboard Device”) and select “Uninstall device.
Note*: Your Windows 11 laptop keyboard’s name depends on your device model and the manufacturer.
Step 4: Click on “Uninstall” to confirm the process.
Step 5: Your laptop keyboard and its trackpad will be disabled temporarily and to enable it you need to simply restart your device.
Uninstalling your laptop’s keyboard with a temporary method works fine. But when you restart your laptop, Windows 11 automatically reinstalls the keyboard driver and your device will come back to its normal working.
The problem occurs when you need to turn off your laptop keyboard permanently, the above method won’t work. Luckily, there’s a quick fix to stop this completely. Keep reading to find out how to permanently disable your laptop keyboard in Windows 11.
How to Disable the Keyboard on a Laptop Permanently in Windows 11?
The following method will lock the keyboard on a laptop permanently. Let’s find out how.
Step 1: Press the “Windows key” and the letter “R” on your keyboard at the same time. Then, type “sysdm.cpl” in the box that pops up and press Enter (it will open the System Properties window).
Step 2: Click on the “Hardware” tab and then select the “Device installation settings”.
Step 3: Select the option “No (your device might not work as expected)”.
Step 4: Finally, click on “Save Changes”.
Note*: To undo changes, just repeat the first 3 steps and then choose “Yes (recommended)” instead of “No…”
How to Disbable the Keyboard on a Laptop Permanently Using Registry Editor in Windows 11?
- Press Win + R, to open Registry Editor type regedit, and press Enter.
- Navigate to the Keyboard Settings with the path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\i8042prt
- Double-click on “Start” and change the value to 4 (which disables the keyboard driver).
- Click OK and restart your computer.
How to Lock the Keyboard on a Laptop Permanently in Windows 11?
There is no direct way to lock the keyboard on your laptop or PC in Windows 11 or 10. However, to lock the keyboard, we have to lock the Windows screen and to achieve this:
- Press Windows + L at the same time
- You’ll be at Windows Home Screen lock
- To unlock the keyboard, enter your PIN or password on the lock screen. Doing so, your laptop get back to the working condition again.
Incorrect Driver Method May Result in Blue Screen of Death
The process of permanently disabling and locking a laptop’s keyboard can harm your device and may result in a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) (where everything freezes and shows a scary blue screen). So, you need to be careful with this method and you should avoid it. Because it involves installing the wrong driver, which can be risky. It’s best to skip this method and stick to the safer options we’ll talk about next.
Easy Fixes and Tips for Common Laptop Keyboard Issues
Disabling your laptop keyboard might not be necessary. Here are some safer ways to secure your laptop to try:
- Use a different keyboard: If your keyboard is just acting weird, you can try plugging in a regular USB keyboard or connecting a Bluetooth keyboard.
- Detach your keyboard (if you have a Surface): If you have a Surface laptop or tablet, you can physically remove the Type Cover keyboard from the screen.
- Use the on-screen keyboard: Windows 11 has a touch keyboard you can use by tapping on the screen (if your laptop has a touchscreen) or by clicking with your mouse.
Why Can’t I Disable My Laptop Keyboard?
If you’re having trouble disabling your keyboard, there are likely a few main reasons behind your frustration.
- Wrong Keyboard: Double-check that you’re changing the settings for the built-in keyboard in Device Manager, not an external one.
- Restart Re-enabled: The first method only works until you restart your laptop. Try putting your laptop to sleep instead.
Windows Update Reset: Windows updates can sometimes undo changes made to your devices. Try disabling the keyboard again after an update
Conclusion
In conclusion, disabling your laptop keyboard in Windows 11/10 can be done temporarily through Device Manager, but it won’t be permanent. Permanently disabling the keyboard using driver uninstallation is risky and can cause system instability. Instead, consider using an external keyboard, an on-screen keyboard, or detaching the keyboard (if applicable) for troubleshooting purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- How do I permanently turn off my laptop keyboard?
The only way to truly turn off a device is to physically remove it from your computer. For instance, to disable your keyboard, you can unplug the cord that connects it to the motherboard (the main circuit board inside your computer). Usually, this is pretty easy to do and you can always plug the keyboard back in later if you want to use it again.