Windows 11 Not Detecting Wireless Keyboard? 6 Easy Fixes

Windows 11 Not Detecting Your Wireless Keyboard? Try These Fixes First

Few things are more annoying than sitting down to work, tapping your wireless keyboard… and getting absolutely nothing in response. No lights, no connection, no typing and just silence.

This problem has become surprisingly common for Windows 11 users, especially after system updates or hardware changes. The good news? In most cases, it’s completely fixable without buying a new keyboard.

Let’s walk through the solutions that actually work. Starting with the simplest and moving to the more advanced.

1. Start With the Obvious (It Fixes More Than You’d Think)

Before assuming the worst, check the basics. Seriously—about 50% of “broken” keyboards aren’t broken at all.

Batteries and Power

Wireless keyboards live and die by their batteries:

• Replace old AA/AAA batteries with brand-new ones

• If it’s rechargeable, plug it in for at least 15–20 minutes

• Make sure the tiny ON/OFF switch on the back is actually flipped to ON

Low power can make a keyboard behave strangely can disconnecting randomly or refusing to pair at all.

USB Receiver Check

If your keyboard uses a small USB dongle (like most Logitech or Microsoft models):

• Plug it directly into the PC instead of a USB hub

• Try a different USB port—preferably one on the back of a desktop

• Avoid USB 3.0 ports if possible (some older receivers work better in USB 2.0)

I’ve personally seen keyboards refuse to work simply because the receiver was in a front-panel USB port that wasn’t delivering stable power.

Bluetooth Toggle

For Bluetooth keyboards:

• Open Settings → Bluetooth & devices

• Make sure Bluetooth is actually turned ON

• Turn it off and back on once, just to refresh it

It sounds simple, but Windows 11 sometimes disables Bluetooth after updates.

2. Remove and Re-Pair the Keyboard From Scratch

Windows can get “confused” about previously paired devices. Re-pairing often fixes that.

Here’s the cleanest way to do it:

• Open Settings → Bluetooth & devices

• Find your keyboard in the device list

• Click the three dots → Remove device

• Restart your computer

• Put the keyboard back into pairing mode

• Click Add device → Bluetooth and reconnect it

Pro Tip

Different keyboards enter pairing mode in different ways:

• Logitech: usually hold a Bluetooth button for 3–5 seconds

• Microsoft keyboards: dedicated pairing button underneath

• Generic models: often require holding FN + Bluetooth key

If you don’t have the manual, Google:

“[keyboard model] pairing mode”

This step alone fixes a huge percentage of Windows 11 detection issues.

3. Don’t Ignore Drivers – They Matter More Than You Think

Windows 11 is supposed to handle drivers automatically, but it doesn’t always get it right.

Update Keyboard Drivers

1. Right-click the Start button

2. Open Device Manager

3. Expand Keyboards

4. Right-click your device → Update driver

5. Choose Search automatically

Even if Windows says “best driver already installed,” that doesn’t always mean it’s true.

Reinstall the Driver (Stronger Fix)

If updating doesn’t help:

• In Device Manager, right-click the keyboard

• Select Uninstall device

• Restart your PC

Windows will reinstall a fresh driver copy on reboot. This is especially helpful if a Windows update corrupted something.

4. Windows 11 Power Settings Can Secretly Break Keyboards

Here’s something most people don’t realize:

Windows 11 tries to “save power” by turning off USB ports and Bluetooth devices. Sometimes it gets a little too aggressive.

Disable USB Power Saving

• Open Control Panel → Power Options

• Click Change plan settings

• Open Change advanced power settings

• Expand USB settings

• Set USB selective suspend to Disabled

This prevents Windows from putting your USB receiver to sleep.

Fix for Bluetooth Keyboards

• Open Device Manager

• Expand Bluetooth

• Right-click your Bluetooth adapter → Properties

• Under Power Management, uncheck:

“Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power”

This small change alone has saved countless “dead” keyboards.

5. Use the Built-In Windows Troubleshooters

Windows 11 actually includes automated tools that can detect hidden problems.

Go to:

Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters

Then run:

• Keyboard troubleshooter

• Bluetooth troubleshooter (if applicable)

They’re surprisingly effective at spotting conflicts, disabled services, or background issues you might never think to check.

6. Advanced Fixes (When Nothing Else Works)

If you’ve tried everything above and the keyboard still won’t connect, here are a few deeper tricks:

Check for Windows Updates

Sometimes Microsoft pushes Bluetooth and USB fixes through updates:

• Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates

Try Another Computer

Test the keyboard on:

• A laptop

• Another PC

• Even a tablet or phone (for Bluetooth models)

If it doesn’t work anywhere, the problem is likely the keyboard itself.

BIOS Test

If the keyboard works in BIOS but not in Windows, you know it’s a software issue—not hardware.

When It Might Actually Be Hardware Failure

Unfortunately, wireless keyboards don’t last forever.

It may be time for a replacement if:

• The keyboard won’t power on at all

• It won’t connect to ANY device

• The USB receiver gets extremely hot

• You’ve tried multiple PCs with no success

Electronics fail—especially older models.

Windows 11 keyboard detection problems are frustrating—but rarely permanent. In most cases, the issue comes down to:

• Low batteries

• A confused Bluetooth connection

• Driver glitches

• Over-aggressive power settings

Work through the steps above one by one, and there’s a very good chance you’ll be typing again within minutes instead of hours.