When a keyboard on a Xiaomi laptop stops working, it can be taken by surprise at the most inopportune moment, often after an operating system update or the accidental activation of hidden locking functions. Mi Notebook Air and RedmiBook device owners are less likely to experience this, but the problem still occurs in the brand’s model range.
Before you panic and bring your device to the service center, you should try a number of software solutions. In most cases, the problem lies in a software failure or incorrect driver operation, not a physical failure. Software diagnostics can eliminate up to 80% of all input malfunctions.
This guide covers all possible ways to restore keyboard functionality, and we’ll look at both standard methods through the Windows interface and deeper system settings that are often overlooked.
Check physical lock and hot keys
The most common but often overlooked reason is the accidental activation of the lock mode input. On Xiaomi laptops, as on many other devices, there is a key combination that completely disables the keyboard to avoid accidental pressing. Usually this combination includes the Fn key and one of the functional keys of the F1-F12 series.
Carefully examine the F1-F12 keyset for a crossed-out keyboard or lock icon. On Xiaomi Mi Notebook Pro models, this is often the F10 or F12 key. Try pressing this key separately, or if it doesn't help - in combination with Fn. This action removes the software prohibition on typing.
Sometimes the problem is sticking the Fn button itself. If the keyboard indicators are acting strangely or the cursor is moving in jerks, maybe the mechanical switch is stuck. A slight tap on the function key area can return the mechanism to its original position.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to disassemble the keyboard or remove keys if the laptop is under warranty.Mechanical intervention may result in the plume being compromised or the warranty status being lost.
If the hotkeys don't respond, the keyboard driver may not be loaded, so you should go to the device manager, where the status of the hardware is displayed.
Diagnostics through Windows Device Manager
Windows has a powerful hardware management tool. To get to Device Manager, right-click on the Start button and select the appropriate item on the menu. Alternatively, call the Run window via Win + R and type in the devmgmt.msc command.
In the window that opens, look for the keyboard section, open it up, and look at the device list. PS/2 or HID-a keyboard with a yellow exclamation mark, which means that the system has detected a hardware error or driver failure. Double click on the device will open a property window where the error code will be indicated in the "State of the device" field.
Often, a simple reinstallation of the driver helps. Right-click on the problem device and select "Delete Device." After that, restart the laptop. When you boot, Windows automatically detects the keyboard and installs the standard driver again. This action resets the accumulated configuration errors.
- 🔍 Check the section "Universal Controllers" USB» presence of unknown devices.
- 🔄 Use the “Update Equipment Configuration” button in the Manager menu.
- 🛠️ If the driver is marked as “Working normally”, try rolling it back to the previous version.
⚠️ Note: If the keyboard didn’t work after the driver was removed, even after the reboot, the problem may be deeper, system files or a physical connection.
Installation and update of Xiaomi drivers
Xiaomi laptops often require specific drivers to work properly with the functional keys and touchpad. Standard Windows drivers may not support all the features of your device’s hardware platform. The best way to download the necessary software is to use the official Xiaomi support site or the built-in application.
Many models have a Xiaomi Service or Mi Support app pre-installed, run it and go to the Update Check section, find and install the missing components. If there is no such app, visit the official website, type in your laptop model (e.g. RedmiBook 14) and download the Chipset and Keyboard/Touchpad drivers.
Where to find an accurate model of a laptop?
When you install drivers, it's important to be consistent, so you install the chipset drivers, then you install the power management, and then you get the periphery, and if you break the order, you can't recognize the device correctly.
☑️ Driver verification
Use of the Xiaomi PC Manager utility
The universal solution for owners of Xiaomi equipment is the Xiaomi PC Manager program. This tool automatically scans the system for missing or outdated drivers specific to your model. This is the most reliable way, since the utility database contains only verified versions of the software.
Launch the utility and go to Drivers or Update. If the system finds an update for the keyboard or BIOS, it will prompt it to install. BIOS update is especially important if the keyboard stopped working after changing the operating system or replacing the motherboard.
| Component | Why update | The risk of skipping |
|---|---|---|
| BIOS / UEFI | Correction of equipment compatibility | Inoperability of ports or keyboards |
| Chipset Driver | Correct operation of the data bus | Unstable USB operation and input |
| EC Firmware | Control of the keyboard controller | Total keyboard failure |
| Power Management | Sleep and wake-up regimes | The keyboard does not turn on after sleep |
After installing all the updates through Xiaomi PC Manager, be sure to perform a full reboot of the device, not just a sleep mode exit.
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Using the official Xiaomi manager guarantees the installation of compatible versions of drivers, which reduces the risk of software conflicts.
Configuring power supply and USB parameters
Windows tends to save energy by sometimes turning off devices it considers inactive, which can cause the keyboard to not wake up after it leaves sleep, and to fix this, you need to change the power circuit settings.
Open Control Panel and go to Power. Select your active circuitry and click Power Setup, then Change Additional Power Setups. In the window that opens, find Options. USB» and turn off the temporary shutdown. USB-Although the keyboard may be internal, it often uses a bus that is controlled by these settings.
You should also check the settings in Device Manager. Find your keyboard, open the properties, and go to Power Management tab. If there's a checkmark on "Allow this device to be turned off to save power," uncheck it. This will prevent the system from jamming the keyboard.
- ⚡ Turn off “Quick Start” in Windows Power Settings.
- 🔋 Check battery status: at critical charge level, some functions may be blocked.
- 🛑 Make sure that in BIOS Aggressive energy saving regimes are not included.
These settings are especially relevant for users who rarely turn off their laptop completely, preferring sleep mode.
Resetting the EC controller and settings BIOS
If software methods in Windows didn’t work, the problem may lie in the firmware of the Embedded Controller (EC), which controls the keyboard at the hardware level. EC reset often brings the device back to life. To do this, turn off the laptop, turn off the charger, and press the switch on for 30-40 seconds.
After this procedure, connect the charger and try to turn on the laptop. In some Xiaomi models, to reset the EC, you need to press the key combination (for example, Fn + R or Fn + Esc) when the laptop is off, and then press the on button without releasing the keys.
Also, go to the BIOS. To log in when you download, press the F2 key intensively. In the BIOS interface, check if the built-in keyboard in the Advanced or Configuration section is disabled. If you are not sure about the settings, look for the Load Setup Defaults option (usually the F9) key and save the changes via F10.
⚠️ Note: Be careful when changing your settings BIOS. Incorrect parameters can lead to unstable system operation or inability to load.
Resetting the BIOS also helps if the interrupt or I/O port settings have been changed previously, which could block the keyboard from working.
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If the laptop battery is removable, for a complete reset of static charge, it is recommended to remove the battery, turn off the power and press the on button for a minute before returning assembly.
Alternative methods of input and diagnosis
While you're looking for a solution, you need to work on your computer. Windows offers a built-in on-screen keyboard that can be called through the Start menu in the Special Features section or by typing the osk command in the Run window (Win + R).
You can also connect the external USB-If the external keyboard is working properly and the built-in keyboard is not, it narrows the search to the plume or the keyboard itself. If the external keyboard is not working, the problem is exactly in the system or the drivers. USB.
For deep diagnostics, you can boot from LiveUSB (like Linux Ubuntu), if the other operating system has a keyboard that works, then the hardware is good, and you need to reinstall or clean Windows. If the keyboard doesn't work anywhere, it's a hardware defect.
- 🖥️ Use the on-screen keyboard to temporarily enter text.
- 🔌 Connect an external keyboard to check the controller.
- 🐧 Download LiveCD to eliminate Windows software errors.
These methods will help you maintain your performance and continue your diagnosis, even if the main keyboard fails completely.