Laptop Typing on Its Own? Here’s How to Stop Automatic Key Presses

Has your laptop suddenly started typing random letters or commands on its own? Maybe you’ve seen windows popping open, words being typed without touching the keyboard, or certain keys acting like they’re being held down. It’s frustrating — but you’re not alone, and yes, it can be fixed.

In this post, we’ll walk you through what causes this weird issue and how you can fix it yourself. And if it still doesn’t work, we’ll let you know when it’s time to bring in a pro.

Why Your Laptop Might Be Auto-Typing

There are a few common reasons your keyboard could be acting up:

• A key is stuck (even just slightly)
• The keyboard is dirty or has dust/debris
• There’s a driver or software glitch
• Water or liquid damage
• There’s a hardware issue with the keyboard
• Sometimes even malware can mess with input devices

Try These Fixes First

1. Check for Stuck Keys

Look closely at your keyboard. Do any of the keys look or feel different? Press each one gently. If a key is stuck down or isn’t popping up properly, it could be the culprit. You can:

• Turn off the laptop
• Use compressed air or a soft brush to clean around the keys
• For some models, gently remove the keycap to clean underneath

2. Restart in Safe Mode

Safe Mode runs your system with only the essential drivers. If your keyboard works normally here, it means the issue is likely software-related.

To boot into Safe Mode (Windows):

• Hold Shift and click Restart
• Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart
• Choose Safe Mode

Try typing in this mode and see if the issue continues.

3. Update or Reinstall the Keyboard Driver

Sometimes your laptop just needs a quick driver refresh.

Here’s how:

• Right-click the Start Menu and go to Device Manager
• Expand the Keyboards section
• Right-click on the keyboard and select Update driver
• Or uninstall it completely, then restart your computer (it will reinstall automatically)

4. Scan for Viruses or Malware

Yes, malware can actually cause weird typing issues. Run a full system scan using a good antivirus or antimalware tool. If you don’t have one, we can recommend a few free ones that work great.

5. Test with an External Keyboard

If you’re not sure whether the issue is hardware or software, plug in an external keyboard. If it works fine while your built-in one keeps acting up, it’s likely a hardware issue with your laptop keyboard.

6. Reset Your Keyboard Settings

Sometimes, it’s as simple as a keyboard layout mismatch or accidental settings change.

Check your keyboard layout:

• Go to Settings > Time & Language > Language
• Make sure your region and input method match your actual keyboard

Resetting these to default can help.

7. System Restore (If Problem Just Started)

If your keyboard just started acting up recently, use System Restore to roll your computer back to a point when it was working normally. It won’t affect your files, just system settings and drivers.

Still Not Working? Time to Check the Hardware

If none of the above works, your keyboard might be physically damaged — especially if it got wet or took a fall. At that point, you’re better off getting it looked at by a professional.

We Can Help!

At Lapsol Technologies, we fix laptop keyboard issues every day — from stuck keys to full replacements. We’ll diagnose the problem and get your laptop typing normally again, fast and affordably.

📍 Visit us in-store or give us a call to book a repair.