XPS 8950, Rosewill RK-9000BR keyboard issues

Question

I have a Rosewill mechanical keyboard (RK-9000BR) and a new Dell XPS 8950 running Microsoft Windows 11 with all updates.   The keyboard worked perfectly on previous computers. Now, on starting the new Dell, the keyboard lights flash briefly then stay out. The computer will not recognize keyboard inputs.   This can be cured by unplugging the cable from the keyboard and re-plugging it. The light comes on and the keyboard works normally. If I plug in a different keyboard (Dell 006HYKB216 USB wired keyboard), it works as expected on startup.    Troubleshooting tasks I have tried: Microsoft keyboard troubleshooter -- no issues Switch USB outlets - same problem Turn off Windows 11 'Fast Startup' -- same problem Turn off Windows 11 keyboard filter -- same problem Uninstall in Device Manager, restart -- same problem Switch keyboards, same USB outlet -- problem solved I like the Rosewill keyboard and would rather not face this startup annoyance.    Hope you can help.

Vic384 · Answer

@Ken Ohrn  I don't know if this is the problem with your keyboard but if you Google 'Rosewill mechanical keyboard (RK-9000BR) issues' you will find that the RK-9000BR model has a quality issue with the USB port/controller coming loose that was supposed to be corrected with the V2 model. Some of the issues are discussed in the one-star reviews of the keyboard on Amazon. I hope this is not the issue with your keyboard but it is a possibility.

Ken Ohrn · Answer

Hi Vic384:

Thanks for your thoughts.

A loose port/controller is a possibility, but somewhat unlikely since the keyboard seems to connect properly because the lights flash briefly during startup, and an unplug/replug always fixes the issue. With a loose component, I'd expect to see intermittent problems.

I get the sense that it's an incompatibility between the Rosewill implementation of USB and the new Dell's USB 3.2.

If I get a few minutes and feel ambitious, I may reconnect the Rosewill keyboard and try wiggling the connector to see if this affects the keyboard's function.

RoHe · Answer

@Ken Ohrn - Have you tried plugging your keyboard into one of the two USB2 ports on the back panel of the XPS 8950, (#7 in back panel image, here) ?

That's where keyboard and mouse should be connected...

Vic384 · Answer

@Ken Ohrn I think your problem is more of a startup issue rather than a USB issue since disconnecting and reconnecting the keyboard seems to work. If connecting your keyboard to the back panel USB2 ports does not solve the problem, does the keyboard work in the BIOS if you boot directly into the BIOS? If the keyboard works in the BIOS, what happens if you exit the BIOS and boot into Windows without shutting down?

There is also a BIOS setting under POST Behavior called 'Keyboard Errors'. What happens if you use the 'Keyboard Errors' setting to disable keyboard error detection?

Ken Ohrn · Answer

Hi RoHe and Vic384: the Rosewill keyboard had this issue when plugged into two different back panel USB outlets.

Checking boot to BIOS and "keyboard errors" under POST behavior are good suggestions. I'll set aside some time in the next few days to try them out.

Thank you for your work on this. Much appreciated.

RoHe · Answer

Did you try either of the bottom two USB ports (#7)? Those are the only USB2 ports on this PC.  Keyboard and mouse should be connected to USB2.

Ken Ohrn · Answer

Hi RoHe: Yes. I tried both bottom (#7) USB ports. Others may find it amusing that Rosewill tech support has advised me that this keyboard does not work with Windows 10 and 11.

RoHe · Answer

Not exactly the answer you wanted/expected from Rosewill...

Did you try disabling the keyboard error option in BIOS setup that @Vic384 suggested?

You might also try enabling USB Wake Support, if not already enabled, and changing Fast Boot to something other than "Thorough", both in BIOS setup. (NOTE: Fast Boot is not the same as Fast Startup which you already disabled in Win 11.)

If none of that helps, and you have one handy, try plugging in a USB hub with its own external power adapter into a USB2 port, plug the adapter into 110V, and plug the keyboard into the hub.

If all else fails, it just may be time to replace the keyboard...?

Tesla1856 · Answer

@Ken Ohrn wrote:

Others may find it amusing that Rosewill tech support has advised me that this keyboard does not work with Windows 10 and 11.

Yes, I did think that was pretty funny. Well, at least you have your answer now.

IIRC, Rosewill is Newegg's "house brand".

Personally, if I was you ... I would try to get my money back (or install on a computer it DOES work on) ... and just get something like this:

XPS Desktops

XPS 8950, Rosewill RK-9000BR keyboard issues

Was this post helpful?