Remote Desktop Keyboard Not Working? Fixed
There is no denying that Remote Desktop is an invaluable app that can save you when you need it the most. However, there are times when you have successfully connected to your device only to find that the keyboard is not working on Remote Desktop. The good news is that you can fix this issue.
In this article, we are going to show you how to fix that remote desktop keyboard not working error in 7 different methods.
Part 1. Why Is My Keyboard Not Working in Remote Desktop Connection?
If you have been using RDP, you know well enough what a convenient tool it is. This is why when you encounter any issue with it, you feel frustrated. A non-functional keyboard, in particular, can cause many issues, since you won't be able to complete the tasks you need in the remote connection.
But what actually causes the remote desktop keyboard not working error? There are several factors that can trigger it, the main ones being the following:
- Physical Connection Issues – if you encounter this issue, then you should check your peripherals. If the keyboard cables are damaged or not connected properly, you might notice that the keyboard is not working on Remote Desktop.
- Remote Desktop Settings – another factor that can cause this issue, as well as other errors, are incorrect settings in the Remote Desktop client.
- Keyboard Layout and Language Mismatch – when the keyboard is not working when you have established a remote connection, then you need to make sure that the keyboard layouts and language settings match between the local and remote devices.
- Outdated Drivers – many errors can occur when the drivers are either outdated or corrupted. Therefore, the best solution is to check for updates to ensure that they work properly.
- Interference from Other Applications – in some cases, some applications use the devices’ resources, thus affecting their overall performance. In this instance, you might notice that the keyboard is not working.
- Firewall Settings – your firewall might see the remote connection as a threat to the security of your device, thus obstructing it or limiting its functions. Therefore, changing the firewall settings might help you solve the issue.
- Remote Desktop Session Glitch – oftentimes, the remote keyboard not working issue is just a glitch of the app.You can try to reconnect to solve.
Now you are well aware of the possible causes for the issue and you can try different fixes depending on what triggered it.
Part 2. How to Fix Remote Desktop Keyboard Not Working
In this section, we are going to explain what you need to do when the keyboard not working on Remote Desktop. Try these seven fixes to find the one that works on your device.
Fix 1. Check Keyboard Physical Connection
Before anything else, you should check whether the Remote Desktop keyboard not working error is caused by your physical keyboard. Here are a few things that you can do to check if your keyboard is working properly:
- 1.Ensure that the keyboard cable is plugged into the USB port.
- 2.Try to plug your keyboard into another USB port on your device, because the previous one might be defective.
- 3.If you are using a wireless keyboard, check the peripheral’s battery.
- 4.Go to Settings > Devices and check if the keyboard appears under the Mouse, keyboard, & pen section.
- 5.Test the keyboard on a different device.
Fix 2. Enable Remote Desktop Keyboard
The following fix that you can try is to enable the keyboard input in the Remote Desktop settings. Here is how to find and change the settings on RDP:
- 1.Open Remote Desktop on your computer.
- 2.Click Show Options to view the rest of the settings.
- 3.Go to the Local Resources tab. In the Keyboard section, select the On the remote computer option under Apply Windows key combinations.
Fix 3. Modify Keyboard Layout and Language Settings
As we've already mentioned, inconsistent keyboard layouts or language settings can be the root of the issue. Therefore, the solution is to ensure that these settings match on both local and remote devices.
Here is how to change the settings on your local computer:
- 1.Go to Settings > Time & Language.
- 2.Click Language on the sidebar and ensure that the keyboard layout matches your preferences.
- 3.If not click on Keyboard and select a different keyboard layout.
Then, follow the same steps on the remote device to make sure that the settings are the exact same.
Fix 4. Update Keyboard Driver
One of the most common causes for a variety of issues is outdated or corrupted drivers. Therefore, the Remote Desktop keyboard not working issue might be triggered by the keyboard driver on your device.
Here is how to update the keyboard driver on your computer:
- 1.Right-click on the Windows button and click Device Manager.
- 2.Find the Keyboards section, expand it, and right-click on the driver. Click Update driver.
- 3.Click the Search automatically for updated driver software option and wait for a few minutes. If there is an update, install it and restart your PC. Alternatively, you can check for updates on the manufacturer’s website, where they will be available for download.
Fix 5. Close Unnecessary Applications
If you let multiple applications run while you are trying to establish a remote connection, then you might notice that the keyboard is not working on Remote Desktop. This happens because they use up your system's resources, thus interfering with your keyboard input.
To close these interfering apps, follow these steps:
- 1.Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- 2.Find the apps that have the highest CPU and memory usage.
- 3.Right-click on the app, and click the End task option. Alternatively, you can select the app and click the End task button.
Fix 6. Modify Firewall Settings
Quite often, firewalls can prevent you from performing some tasks as they might flag them as threats to the security of your PC. To stop that from happening, you can simply change the firewall settings.
The steps to do that are the following:
- 1.Search and open the Control Panel on your computer.
- 2.Click the Windows Defender Firewall icon. On the new window, click on Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.
- 3.Find Remote Desktop and check both Private and Public boxes. Click OK to save the changes.
Fix 7. Reconnect Remote Desktop Session
Finally, the Remote Desktop keyboard not working issue might be just a glitch of the app. If that’s the case, then simply disconnecting the remote connection and re-establishing it will fix it. Therefore, close RDP, wait for a few seconds and connect to your remote device once more to see if the keyboard is working.
Conclusion
When the keyboard is not working on Remote Desktop, your work gets disrupted. That’s why you need to know how to fix this issue. Fortunately, the above methods will solve your problem and let you use your keyboard input on the remote desktop.
FAQs about Remote Desktop Keyboard
- Alt + Tab – use this shortcut to switch between open applications on your local PC.
- Ctrl + Alt + Home – this shortcut displays the remote desktop connection bar.
- Ctrl + Alt + End – this key combination sends a Ctrl + Alt + Del command to the remote device.
- Alt + Page Up/Page Down – use this shortcut to switch between applications on the remote desktop.
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