Touchpad or keys not working: Fn lock and settings
More often than hardware damage, the cause is a touchpad turned off by accident or the Fn key lock. Start with the simple checks.
- Most common cause
- a disabled touchpad or the Fn lock
- Time
- 5–15 minutes
- Repair shop, if nothing helps
- 200–610 zł
Don't pour cleaning liquids onto the keyboard. Unplug the charger before you start cleaning under the keys. If the laptop got wet, don't turn it on.
Step by step
Restart the laptop
Restart the laptop and check whether the keyboard works in the BIOS. If it does, the problem is in the system or a driver.
Check the touchpad settings
Go to Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Touchpad and make sure it's turned on. Plug in a USB mouse if you can't navigate.
Use the manufacturer's shortcut
Lenovo: Fn + F8 or F6, depending on the model. HP: double-tap the top left corner of the touchpad or use the key with its icon. Asus: Fn + F9. Acer: Fn + F7. Dell: Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Touchpad.
Check the Fn lock
If the F1–F12 keys do something other than their icons show, try Fn + Esc. This toggles the Fn lock on Lenovo, Dell and Asus. You can also change the function key mode in the BIOS.
Do a hard restart
Turn off the laptop, unplug the charger and hold the power button for 30 seconds. Then turn the laptop on.
Check for dirt under the keys
Tilt the laptop and gently shake out any crumbs. Check whether the keyboard has been wet.
- The keyboard doesn't work even in the BIOS.
- Only some keys don't respond or the cursor jumps by itself.
- The keyboard or touchpad stopped working after getting wet.
- The casing under the touchpad is bulging, which may mean a swollen battery.
How much does a repair shop charge?
| Diagnosis at a repair shop | 0–140 zł |
| Keyboard replacement | 200–610 zł |
| Touchpad replacement | 200–540 zł |
| Repair after liquid damage | 340–1100 zł |
Typical prices at independent repair shops in Poland, October 2026. Authorised service centres and big cities can be more expensive.
Repair or buy new?
A locked touchpad or Fn is a 0 zł fix. Replacing the keyboard is usually worth it in a laptop that otherwise works well. For an old device with several faults, use the calculator to see whether a new one would be better.
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Open the calculator →FAQ
How do I unlock the touchpad on my laptop?
Use the manufacturer's shortcut (for example Fn + F9 on an Asus) or turn it on in Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Touchpad.
What is Fn + Esc for?
On many laptops it toggles the Fn lock, which is the mode where the F1–F12 keys work as function keys or as shortcuts with icons.
Can I use the laptop with an external keyboard?
Yes, as a temporary solution. An external keyboard and USB mouse work well when the built-in ones don't respond.