Fix: Alienware M17 Keyboard Not Working or Keyboard Lights Issue

Alienware is a gaming-centric brand or sub-brand of Dell that offers portable gaming laptops and tons of excellent PC gaming accessories. One popular laptop in the Alienware lineup is the Alienware M17. It comes with different hardware configurations and varying pricing categories. However, despite its being one of the most premium products from Alienware, some users have still raised concerns about its Keyboard.

Some users claim that the backlit feature on their Alienware M17 laptop is not working correctly or the Keyboard is not working. If you are one of these troubled users, this article will help you. Here, we have listed all the solutions you can try from your end to resolve the issue. So, without any further ado, let’s get into it.

How can the Alienware M17 keyboard or the keyboard lights not work?

The solutions mentioned here are essential and specific to Alienware laptops. If you have any computer other than the M17, or an Alienware laptop with similar issues, this article will help you. Try one solution after another until you find the one that works for you.

Check for any damage:

Most of the time, hardware defects are related to physical damage to the ‘s body device’s body. The Alienware M17 keyboard not working or the lights not working could also be due to some physical damage. So give the Keyboard a thorough check using a flashlight, and share it as close of an inspection as you can to try and detect anything wrong with it.

If you see anything wrong with it, you must replace it. But if everything looks acceptable to you, move on to the next solution.

Power Cycling the Laptop:

Power Cycling a device fixes most of its software complications or bugs. And if you have not restarted your Alienware M17 laptop in a while, it is time you perform a power cycle.

• Remove anything connected to the laptop, including the power cord.
• Keep everything disconnected, and turn off your laptop.
• Keep it off for a few minutes, then turn it on again.

Now try using your Keyboard again. If it is still not working, try the next solution.

Disable Filter Keys:

Holding the right Shift key on your Keyboard for 8 seconds enables the Filter Keys feature on your Windows computer. It helps prevent unwanted keystrokes by decreasing the keyboard input speed. Microsoft included this in the Windows operating system to facilitate users who have neurological disabilities like hand tremors or stiffness.

If it is enabled on your computer, you must turn it off to improve the typing speed.

• Press Windows Key + I to open up the Windows Settings window.
• Click on “Ease of Access.”
• On the left pane, click on “Keyboard.”
• Now on the right pane, look for the toggle for “Use Filter keys.” Once you find it, please disable it. Also, uncheck the box next to the “Allow the shortcut key to start Filter Keys” option.

Try the next potential solution if turning off the Filter keys does not help with the Keyboard, not working issue.

Update keyboard drivers:

You will encounter many problems with your Keyboard if the driver is not updated. So you need to update it immediately to fix your issue too.

You can update the keyboard driver manually, automatically, or by using a third-party application.

To update it automatically,

• Press Windows Key + R to open up the Run dialog box.
• Enter “devmgmt.msc” in the dialog box and click Ok. The Device Manager window will open up.
• Expand the Keyboard by double-clicking and then right-click on your default keyboard. Choose “Update driver” from the list of options here.
• Then click on “Search automatically for updated driver software.” After that, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the driver update. In this process, Windows will automatically search for the latest drivers on the internet and install them on your computer.

To update it manually,

• Visit Dell’s website and go through the downloads section there. You will find the latest Windows drivers for your laptop’s keyboard model. Download it and install it on your computer like any other setup file.

And finally, to update it using a third-party application, you need to download and install a utility program that can scan your system for any missing or outdated Windows drivers. You can then let that program update the driver for you. These third-party programs charge a bit for their service, but the price is worth it as you don’t need to worry about any outdated drivers on your Windows computer again.

Try the next potential solution if updating the keyboard driver does not help with the not working issue.

Reinstall keyboard drivers:

If there is any inconsistency with the driver files, reinstalling the drivers should fix it.

Update or install Alienware Command Center Application:

Alienware laptops come with an application called the Alienware Command Center Application. If your Alienware laptop does not have this application or you are using an older version, that could be why the keyboard is not working as well.

So go to Dell’s official website and check the Downloads section. There, find the option to download the setup file of the latest version of the Alienware Command Center Application. Once you find it, download it and install it on your computer like any other application.

Once the installation is complete, restart the computer and check whether the Keyboard is working normally. If it still has issues, move on to the following solution.

Run the keyboard troubleshooter:

Windows has a built-in troubleshooter tool to fix the most common Windows-related issues.

• Click on the Windows search bar and look for Troubleshoot settings.
• Click on the troubleshooting settings option. The troubleshooting window will show up.
• Here, click on the Keyboard and then click on Run the troubleshooter.
• Let Windows automatically fix the problem for you.

Now try using the Keyboard again. If you still encounter the light not working or the keyboard not working issue, try the next solution mentioned below.

Update your Operating System:

If none of the solutions mentioned above worked for you, try updating the Windows version on your PC. Having an older version of Windows means you probably have many unattended bugs on your computer. Updating your system to the latest version will eliminate all these bugs.

The Keyboard not working issue could be a bug too, and updating your Windows should be enough to fix it.

• Press the Windows key + I to open up the Windows settings panel.
• Click on Update and Security.
• Then click on Windows Update.
• If there are any pending updates, they will appear in the right pane.
• Install the update and then restart the computer.

If this does not solve your keyboard issue, move on to the final fix below.

Contact Dell Support:

If none of the solutions mentioned below worked for you, the issue is likely related to your device’s hardware. To fix that, you need to take your device to the nearest Dell service center to diagnose it. The technicians there should be able to help you. If your device is new and under warranty, they will handle your issue without charging you any money.

These are all the solutions to fix the Alienware M17 keyboard or keyboard lights not working. If you have any questions or queries about this article, comment below, and we will reply. Also, check out our other articles on iPhone tips and tricks, Android tips and tricks, PC tips and tricks, and much more for more helpful information.