My laptop has an alcohol problem.

So, I happened to spill a glass of wine on my laptop keyboard. Consequently, it low acts very drunk.

The keyboard works, sorta, but most of the keys no longer do what they are supposed to do, including important ones like the spacebar and delete key. Luckily, I had a spare USB keyboard lying around so I can still write stuff. However, the original one seems prone to fire off commands randomly which causes various problems. I would turn it off completely but I have no idea how to do that.

Will probably have to turn my computer in to see if it can be fixed. I probably shouldn't even be using it in this state but it's Sunday and I can't go a whole day without it.

Comments

[KarmamarK]

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Keyboard, we need to talk

[ersmiller]

If you are using Windows you can disable or uninstall the internal keyboard in Device manager.
Open device manager and look for keyboards. Click the right arrow to expand the category to see every keyboard device you have.
You'll likely have more than one (I have 4 including my USB keyboard) and it might not be clear which is the internal. First of all, unplug your USB keyboard so you know it's not that one.

Now right click and choose properties on each and check the details, specifically the "Location" listed on the general tab, this can help you narrow it down.
Once you believe you have the right one, either disable or uninstall it. Disabling should keep it off unless you decide to re-enable it later. Uninstalling might only work until you reboot as device manager will re-detect it each time.

Once you've disabled or uninstalled the internal keyboard, plug in your USB keyboard and make sure only that keyboard works now. If both keyboards have stopped working, you may have disabled/uninstalled a controller device. Either re-enable or tell device manager to "Scan for hardware changes" (in the Action menu) to bring back anything you uninstalled.
It should just be a process of elimination.

Also, if it was a big spill and it was recent... using the laptop might not be a good idea until you're sure it's dried. You may want to take out the battery and place the laptop in front of a fan for a while. Or place it in a bag of rice?

[Fervidor]

4124784

If you are using Windows you can disable or uninstall the internal keyboard in Device manager.

I guess I'll give it a try.

Also, if it was a big spill and it was recent... using the laptop might not be a good idea until you're sure it's dried. You may want to take out the battery and place the laptop in front of a fan for a while. Or place it in a bag of rice?

Well, it was last night and I left it to dry for something like 15 hours, so I don't think there's more to be done in that regard.