If your keyboard is busted in the BIOS, it can be a frustrating and difficult problem to troubleshoot.
However, the solutions are pretty straightforward.
And in this article, we will explore some common solutions for resolving keyboard issues in the BIOS.
Why is Your Keyboard Not Working on the Boot Menu?
These diverse factors cause the keyboards inability to function in the Boot menu.
After that, it looks at the launch sequence and tries booting from the devices one by one sequentially.
The first gear with a valid bootloader and OS gets to boot.
Luckily, you’ve got the option to fix these things pretty quickly and within minutes.
You just need to have patience and follow the below-mentioned steps one by one.
However, sometimes this is because of a faulty motherboard.
In that case, it’s crucial that you replace the motherboard.
How to Enable Keyboards in BIOS?
To unlock the keyboard in BIOS, it’s crucial that you choose the Disabled option for USB 3.0.
After disabling it, save the changes and exit BIOS.
Also, use an old PS/2 keyboard with generic drivers to navigate through the BIOS.
These keyboards work by default on most motherboards, so it shouldnt be an issue.
Here are the steps to fix the keyboard not working in BIOS:
1.
Enable USB Assistance
Maybe the integrated peripherals/default peripherals are not enabled in BIOS or theBIOS cant detect your USB.
So it’s crucial that you allow it to use your keyboard.
Now start your rig and go into BIOS to inspect.
Disable Fast Boot
Fast Boot is an option present on almost all motherboards.
It causes USB devices to load after the OS boot and not before the BIOS loads.
As I said above, your OS boots after the BIOS.
So if USB devices load after OS, they wont be available on BIOS.
Reboot your PC and go to BIOS.
TheFast Bootoption is located under theBootmenu more often than not.
So try finding it there.
Once youve found the Fast Boot option, disable it.
Save the changes and turn off the PC.
Replace the current keyboard with your primary one and try going to BIOS.
See if it worked.
Clear CMOS
Clearing CMOS will cause your BIOS to reset to default controls.
Which helps to solve the keyboard not functioning issue on BIOS.
If everything works, put back the side panel of the PC case, and youre good to go.
Disable USB 3.0 on boot
Sometimes on newer motherboards, USB 3.0 is used during boot.
It causes some keyboards not to work correctly.
Turn off the PC and go to BIOS.
On most motherboards, the menu is located under theAdvancedmenu.
Find it and go inside.
Youll find an option forIntel xHCI Mode.
Change that fromSmart AutotoAuto.
If its already in Auto, change it toDisable.
Save the changes and exit.
Connect the main keyboard and see if it works.
With some preparation, it is possible to reach the BIOS screens using only a mouse or automatic scripts.
This can prevent entering the BIOS or selecting boot options.
It is because of the USB drivers not being initialized early enough in the boot process.
A solution is to enable Legacy USB Support in the BIOS configs.
This allows USB devices like keyboards to be detected earlier during boot before the full USB drivers are loaded.
Does USB Keyboard Work in BIOS?
USB keyboards should work in BIOS.
Additionally, if your PC is in MS-DOS mode, USB devices will not work in USB legacy support.
To use a USB gear in MS-DOS mode, you will need to enable USB support in the BIOS.
Also, there is the opposite issue, like thekeyboard works in bios but not on Windows.
Pretty harsh, right?
If you see two separate PS/2 ports for the keyboard and mouse, thats an old motherboard.
Newer motherboards have one or zero PS/2 ports.
In case you have a newer motherboard, USB connections should work by default.
And therefore, USB peripherals such as USB keyboards and mice will operate in BIOS.
Suppose it doesnt, you’re free to look at some fixes mentioned above to solve the issue.
But sometimes thefunction keys stops working, and you cant get into the boot menu.
Your system will restart within a minute and redirect you to the UEFI BIOS automatically.
Now you might change the keyboard parameters from here as you like.
FAQs
Can you enter BIOS without a keyboard?
Youll need to press the BIOS key to enter BIOS during boot.
But old motherboards with text-based BIOS need a keyboard to navigate through.
Can you enter BIOS with a wireless keyboard?
But a lot of wireless keyboards, especially the Bluetooth ones, dont work in BIOS for syncing issues.
How to navigate BIOS without a keyboard?
tap on the reset CMOS button, although not every motherboard has the function.
Otherwise, change the prefs on the reset CMOS jumper, which is available on almost every motherboard.
Why is your keyboard not working on the computer?
The issue can be because of various reasons.
