Why has my keyboard been randomly locking?

Winver: Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (OS Build 22631.3007)

For the last week or so, my keyboard will randomly lock up. It's a Logitech MX Mechanical Wireless Illuminated Performance Keyboard. The mouse works fine, all of the keys on the key board still light up, but it just doesn't put letters/numbers on the screen and so forth. I actually haven't paid much attention to see if the CAPS lock key stays lit or unlit.

When this happens, is there an easier fix other than to reboot my system? I'd be more than happy to write up a Powershell script or batch file to click on when this happens, if I knew what registry keys or services would need to be toggled. Are there services I can restart which accomplish the same thing? What would be a way to permanently fix this problem?

CartmansPiehole said:

When this happens, is there an easier fix other than to reboot my system?

Click to expand...

It could be as simple as to just check the USB connector on the back of the computer.
Some keyboards have a USB connector on the keyboard end, too.

Batteries...always change the batteries first.

Sometimes when coming out of a game, my keyboard malfunctions. I can’t say it is the same as your issue but clicking on the windows key on the keyboard a few times gives a kick.

What happens if you wait a while then see if the keyboard has restarted of its own accord?


Denis

@CartmansPiehole ,

I have a Logitech MX Business wireless keyboard. Sometimes, because I am naturally clumsy, I hit the wrong key on the top row to the left of the adjacent numeric keypad. Those three keys select to which device the keyboard is to send output to. My computer is assigned Key 1. If I inadvertently hit Key 2 or Key 3, I have no keyboard input on my screen, which makes sense. A reboot restores the default Key 1, but it is faster just to tap Key 1 to restore it.

I am not saying this is your issue; just sharing my experience.

I hope this helps.

Have a great day.

Regards,
Phil

garioch7 said:

@CartmansPiehole ,

I have a Logitech MX Business wireless keyboard. Sometimes, because I am naturally clumsy, I hit the wrong key on the top row to the left of the adjacent numeric keypad. Those three keys select to which device the keyboard is to send output to. My computer is assigned Key 1. If I inadvertently hit Key 2 or Key 3, I have no keyboard input on my screen, which makes sense. A reboot restores the default Key 1, but it is faster just to tap Key 1 to restore it.

I am not saying this is your issue; just sharing my experience.

I hope this helps.

Have a great day.

Regards,
Phil

Click to expand...

I didn't think of that. Yes, I have three keys at the top, above my INS/HOME/PG UP keys. Next time this happens, I'll give those a shot. But, if this is actually the case, how would rebooting my computer fix the issue? THAT is what I'm having problems with, since if this was the case, my keyboard would still be looking for another device to connect to since it would be effectively no longer be looking for my PC, even after rebooting my PC, right?

Try3 said:

What happens if you wait a while then see if the keyboard has restarted of its own accord?


Denis

Click to expand...

It doesn't end up restarting on its own. I HAVE to restart my computer. Either with the mouse or a hard restart.

glasskuter said:

Batteries...always change the batteries first.

Click to expand...

This definitely isn't the issue. Although my keyboard is technically wireless, I do leave the power plugged in.

@CartmansPiehole ,

When you reboot the computer, I am guessing that Windows "finds" your keyboard (Key 1) and selects it. It would be easy enough to test. Just select Key 2, and you should lose keyboard connectivity to your computer. Reboot the computer and see if Key 1 is selected by Windows. Please let us know the results.

I hope this helps. Have a great day.

Regards,
Phil