Please do try these troubleshooting steps that may help. - First is to uninstall/reinstall the keyboard driver. - Go to Device Manager and uninstall the keyboard driver then reboot the laptop. - After the reboot do test it again and see if it will work or not. - And lastly, try connecting an external USB keyboard and see if everything will work normal using it. - Replacing the whole keyboard would be the only solution if all these will not work. - Before considering on replacing the keyboard, do check the ribbon cable that connects the keyboard to the motherboard first if its loose or not. Try to disconnect the cable then reconnect it.
Thanks for the advice. I tried reinstalling the drivers (good suggestion), but that didn't fix the issue.
It does, unfortunately, seem like it's like a physical issue. I've been extra conscious of how I press the keys, and when the problem begins, it seems that pressing the keys at a different angle/pressure is likely to get the keys working again. I'm not sure what, internally, would cause multiple keys, not physically close to each other, to have this defect all at the same time, but it does seem like something I'll have to try to resolve physically. Thanks for the suggestions.
Same exact problem (and same two keys - N and Tab). I was getting ready to do a keyboard replacement myself...glad I did one last search before ordering a replacement keyboard. I saw on another forum someone mentioned a similar problem and the solution was changing the NVidia driver to a different version. I will try that and report back. If anyone here has tried that already, please let me know.
Same exact problem (and same two keys - N and Tab).
it drivig me crazy , tryed so may thigs i dot kow whats up ay more ....
the oly thig i do differt press left shift key seems to start it up lets N key etc start workig agai after a few hits but as u see i this typig it goes in and out...... idk what to try anymore ...... may sound wierd but when u dont care if it works it works , when u need it to work seems to not work lol im so frustrated with this .... please if any fix or ideas please post etc........
@DaneMM and yes did drivers , OS new installs clean drive , follwed AI tryig things , called dell , even when as for as deleting alot files realting to macros , games saves , controllers etc ... spent weeks trying things ......
Happening to me now on my m17 R4 laptop, and found this thread. My keys seem to be d, o, n, etc. So frustrating. So no point trying drivers? What did Dell say? Thx.
AdrianG001
4 Operator
•
4K Posts
0
September 17th, 2021 04:00
Please do try these troubleshooting steps that may help.
- First is to uninstall/reinstall the keyboard driver.
- Go to Device Manager and uninstall the keyboard driver then reboot the laptop.
- After the reboot do test it again and see if it will work or not.
- And lastly, try connecting an external USB keyboard and see if everything will work normal using it.
- Replacing the whole keyboard would be the only solution if all these will not work.
- Before considering on replacing the keyboard, do check the ribbon cable that connects the keyboard to the motherboard first if its loose or not. Try to disconnect the cable then reconnect it.
DanGoyette
1 Rookie
•
28 Posts
0
September 17th, 2021 09:00
Thanks for the advice. I tried reinstalling the drivers (good suggestion), but that didn't fix the issue.
It does, unfortunately, seem like it's like a physical issue. I've been extra conscious of how I press the keys, and when the problem begins, it seems that pressing the keys at a different angle/pressure is likely to get the keys working again. I'm not sure what, internally, would cause multiple keys, not physically close to each other, to have this defect all at the same time, but it does seem like something I'll have to try to resolve physically. Thanks for the suggestions.
Alias242
1 Message
0
December 22nd, 2021 17:00
Dag nabbit same thing did you ever figure it out?
voozcan
1 Message
0
January 15th, 2022 06:00
I have exactly the same problem with Alienware 17 R4, Tab and N keys are problem. Is there any solution?
efidude
1 Rookie
•
1 Message
1
January 26th, 2022 05:00
Same exact problem (and same two keys - N and Tab). I was getting ready to do a keyboard replacement myself...glad I did one last search before ordering a replacement keyboard. I saw on another forum someone mentioned a similar problem and the solution was changing the NVidia driver to a different version. I will try that and report back. If anyone here has tried that already, please let me know.
DaneMM
1 Rookie
•
2 Posts
1
July 19th, 2024 01:03
Same exact problem (and same two keys - N and Tab).
it drivig me crazy , tryed so may thigs i dot kow whats up ay more ....
the oly thig i do differt press left shift key seems to start it up lets N key etc start workig agai after a few hits but as u see i this typig it goes in and out...... idk what to try anymore ...... may sound wierd but when u dont care if it works it works , when u need it to work seems to not work lol im so frustrated with this .... please if any fix or ideas please post etc........
DaneMM
1 Rookie
•
2 Posts
1
July 19th, 2024 01:05
@DaneMM and yes did drivers , OS new installs clean drive , follwed AI tryig things , called dell , even when as for as deleting alot files realting to macros , games saves , controllers etc ... spent weeks trying things ......
GB91
1 Rookie
•
1 Message
0
October 22nd, 2024 13:47
Happening to me now on my m17 R4 laptop, and found this thread. My keys seem to be d, o, n, etc. So frustrating. So no point trying drivers? What did Dell say? Thx.
monkeyone76
1 Rookie
•
7 Posts
0
March 24th, 2025 20:45
Same issue, but seems to be with t, s, c, and sometimes space bar.