The backspace key on your laptop or external keyboard can stop working due to both software and hardware issues. If only the Backspace key is not working, it points to a hardware fault. But it is also possible that some software component is preventing just this key alone from functioning properly.
Attach Another Keyboard
Before you begin with the solutions below, you should attempt to narrow down the possible cause. you may start by attaching another keyboard to your computer and verify if its Backspace button works.
If yes, the key on your original keyboard is likely damaged or has some issues that prevent the computer from detecting the keystrokes. If it’s a laptop keyboard, it may also be because of bugs in drivers or some update issue.
But if the key on the other keyboard doesn’t work as well, conflicts due to other applications (mainly apps that canremap key functionsor add shortcuts) or update issues are more probable.
Replace Batteries in Wireless keyboard
If you are using a Wireless or Bluetooth keyboard and your Backspace along with some other keys are not working, it is possible that the batteries are almost fully drained. So, you should replace the batteries with new ones and verify if the keyboard starts working.
Run Keyboard Troubleshooter
you may also try running the Keyboard Troubleshooter if the key is not working. It will automatically detect inconsistencies with the system components required to operate the keyboard.
Reinstall Keyboard Drivers
Another possible reason for this issue includes corrupt keyboard drivers. In such cases, some other keys, like Space and Enter, will also show similar issues. Here, you need toreinstall the driversto resolve any bugs in their software.
Check Keyboard Accessibility Settings
In some previous Windows versions, enabling some Accessibility settings like Sticky keys andFilter keyswas responsible for particular keys not working. So you may try disabling this setting.
Some applications can specify alternate shortcut combinations in the Windows shell, not just while running the app. And if you use such apps and they set Backspace as some shortcut key, you won’t be able to use its default function.
If you know which application it is, you may change its settings accordingly. If not, you need to clean boot your Windows so you can find out the app.
