Alt and Del Keys not working on laptop (Need bootable media to test)

rezpower · 2025-06-21T08:49:57-0400

My laptop's keyboard is giving me some trouble . Both ALT and DEL keys are not working at all.
I have already removed the keyboard in device manager and rebooted to re-install it again.

I need to know if this is a hardware issue or a problem with windows. For this I am looking for a
bootable usb disk that allows me test the keyboard. once I boot with it if it allows me to access
the internet I can use this site: Laptop Keyboard Tester

Can someone please help me find a bootable iso or if you have a better idea please share.

Edit: For info, this problem started after a motherboard replacement on my laptop.

XxXxX · 2025-06-21T09:09:41-0400

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS is a bootable live USB distro and has on start-up keyboard configurations
you can check the keyboard within the live Ubuntu system.

Download Ubuntu Desktop | Ubuntu

Ubuntu is an open source software operating system that runs from the desktop, to the cloud, to all your internet connected things.

ubuntu.com

best of luck, Steve ..

hsehestedt · 2025-06-21T09:15:54-0400

Ubuntu will do, but if you prefer indows based media, just use the Microsoft media creator:

Software Download

rezpower · 2025-06-21T09:32:47-0400

Thanks guys,
I don't want to install a new OS if possible. I just to boot with a USB Key and test the keyboard.
Can this be done with Ubuntu 24.04 LTS? can you please tell me how to put the iso on USB?
Should I use rufus?

Helmut · 2025-06-21T09:34:37-0400

1. Plug in an external USB keyboard, do those 2 keys work ?

2. Did they progressively stop working, or instantly not work at one point ?

3. Wiggle the key top, can you get them to work ?

4. Has debris slipped in under the Cap top ?

If it is just debris then clean it out. If it is bad contacts you may need a replacement keyboard fitted.

rezpower · 2025-06-21T10:24:03-0400

Helmut said:
1. Plug in an external USB keyboard, do those 2 keys work ?

2. Did they progressively stop working, or instantly not work at one point ?

3. Wiggle the key top, can you get them to work ?

4. Has debris slipped in under the Cap top ?

If it is just debris then clean it out. If it is bad contacts you may need a replacement keyboard fitted.

Unfortunately I don't have an external keyboard, reason why I wanted to check under different OS to make sure problem is not cause by windows. The keyboard is clean and nothing under the cap. Both alt keys (one at left side and the other one on the right side of space key) are not working.
At first I realized that alt key is not working when I was playing a game (GTA V). Then I tried to alt tab and suddenly it was working but always on second attempt. I would keep alt pressed and press tab, and only the tab key worked and if I pressed tab again then ALT+TAB was working. But suddenly even this has stopped and the ALT key and DEL key are not working at all.

Helmut · 2025-06-21T11:18:38-0400

More things to check are:
Correct keyboard and correct language installed.
Verify the GTA V files, it was updated a few days ago.
Does the Ctrl+Alt+Del combo work as expected.

You can always uninstall the Keyboard driver, it will auto install again.

Run the usual DISM and SFC checks.

Sticky keys settings
Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard > Sticky keys.

rezpower · 2025-06-21T11:20:31-0400

XxXxX said:
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS is a bootable live USB distro and has on start-up keyboard configurations
you can check the keyboard within the live Ubuntu system.

Download Ubuntu Desktop | Ubuntu

Ubuntu is an open source software operating system that runs from the desktop, to the cloud, to all your internet connected things.

ubuntu.com

best of luck, Steve ..

Thanks a lot steve,

Your help was really precious. I used the Ubuntu ISO on Ventoy and was able to boot to Ubuntu without install or making any change to my PC.
I tested the keyboard and unfortunately the problem still persisted under different OS, which means that there is probably a hardware issue here.
Its really good to have this USB as it gives you access to PC with internet and sound etc in case of any problems!

hsehestedt · 2025-06-21T11:21:48-0400

rezpower said:
I don't want to install a new OS if possible.

You don't need to install it. Just boot from the installation media and when it stops at the first static screen see if kb works. Then reboot. You asked for boot media, I'm simply saying that a Windows install media qualifies 100%.

NOTE: To better test the keyboard when you get to that first static screen in setup you can press SHIFT + F10 and that will open a command prompt. You can type away to your heart's content at that command prompt and see if things are working.

gunrunnerjohn · 2025-06-21T11:24:45-0400

I just use something like this Keyboard Test Site.

rezpower · 2025-06-21T11:25:05-0400

Helmut said:
More things to check are:
Correct keyboard and correct language installed.
Verify the GTA V files, it was updated a few days ago.
Does the Ctrl+Alt+Del combo work as expected.

You can always uninstall the Keyboard driver, it will auto install again.

Run the usual DISM and SFC checks.

Sticky keys settings
Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard > Sticky keys.

Thanks a lot for your help Helmut.
The Ctrl+Alt+Del combo does not work

Correct Keyboard and language is installed and I also did DISM, SFC, Sticky Keys, check + Already uninstalled the keyboard.
Seems the problem is hardware related as I just tested the keyboard under Ubuntu and the problem was still present.

hsehestedt · 2025-06-21T11:27:46-0400

I see you already tried Ubuntu so no need to try Windows boot media. So, I agree with your conclusion. Must be hardware. Do you have another KB that you can try?

gunrunnerjohn · 2025-06-21T11:28:51-0400

Time for a new keyboard or take that one apart. I replaced number of keyboards on laptops over the years. Usually, the keyboard is one of the easier pieces to replace, and they're many videos showing the procedure for most laptop models.

hsehestedt · 2025-06-21T11:29:24-0400

rezpower said:
For info, this problem started after a motherboard replacement on my laptop.

I wonder if this could be as simple as the KB ribbon cable in the laptop not having been well reconnected.

Berton · 2025-06-21T11:32:40-0400

rezpower said:
Thanks a lot steve,

Your help was really precious. I used the Ubuntu ISO on Ventoy and was able to boot to Ubuntu without install or making any change to my PC.
I tested the keyboard and unfortunately the problem still persisted under different OS, which means that there is probably a hardware issue here.
Its really good to have this USB as it gives you access to PC with internet and sound etc in case of any problems!

That's the purpose of the Linux LiveUSB or DVD made from the .iso file, try and test before installing. I keep a Linux Mint [Debian/Ubuntu-based] 8GB drive with me when visiting clients 'just in case', for testing and the programs on it are usable such as VLC/Video LAN and LibreOffice.

rezpower · 2025-06-21T11:32:57-0400

hsehestedt said:
I wonder if this could be as simple as the KB ribbon cable in the laptop not having been well reconnected.

That is what I also think. The laptop is under warranty and Lenovo changed the motherboard 2 days ago. The technician probably didn't reconnect the ribbon correctly. I will call them and ask them to send someone. Unfortunately I don't have any external keyboard, but I can live without alt key for the week-end :)
Will use the On-Screen Keyboard.

rezpower · 2025-06-21T11:34:29-0400

Berton said:
That's the purpose of the Linux LiveUSB or DVD made from the .iso file, try and test before installing. I keep a Linux Mint [Debian/Ubuntu-based] 8GB drive with me when visiting clients 'just in case', for testing and the programs on it are usable such as VLC/Video LAN and LibreOffice.

Yes! it's a life saver that I didn't know about! A day one learns something useful is a great day :)

Berton · 2025-06-21T11:35:37-0400

hsehestedt · 2025-06-21T11:35:43-0400

Berton said:
That's the purpose of the Linux LiveUSB or DVD made from the .iso file, try and test before installing. I keep a Linux Mint [Debian/Ubuntu-based] 8GB drive with me when visiting clients 'just in case', for testing and the programs on it are usable such as VLC/Video LAN and LibreOffice.

Maybe I should consider adding that to the toolkit. Right now I am purely windows based. Tools that I run that are bootable use either Windows RE or Windows PE. I guess it never hurts to have some additional options.

hsehestedt · 2025-06-21T11:36:35-0400

rezpower said:
A day one learns something useful is a great day :)

That would be every single day for me. The problem is that I probably forget more things than I learn at this point.

Alt and Del Keys not working on laptop (Need bootable media to test)

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