How To Disable Laptop Keyboard? [Windows And macOS]

There will be moments when you want to avoid using the laptop’s built-in keyboard, either because of a malfunction or because you want to connect an external keyboard. Hence, it is important for you to learn how to disable the laptop keyboard using the system settings or third-party applications.

Key Takeaways

• Temporarily disable your laptop’s keyboard through “Device Manager” or third-party software.
• You can edit “Group Policy” or turn off “PS/2 Port Service” to permanently deactivate the built-in keyboard.
• Running the code, sc config i8042prt start= auto in “Command Prompt” will resume the keyboard’s operation.

How To Disable Laptop Keyboard On Windows?

You can turn off your laptop’s keyboard through various means, like disabling “PS/2 Port Service” and more. Before proceeding to the methods, read our extensive guides on changing colors on the Alienware Keyboard, MageGee Keyboard, and Havit Keyboard.

The following are the methods:

1. Disable Temporarily Through Device Manager
2. Disable Laptop Keyboard Permanently
3. Turn Off The PS/2 Port Service
4. Using Third-Party Software For Windows
5. Use Incompatible Driver

Disable Temporarily Through Device Manager

Disabling the default keyboard is possible through the “Device Manager” menu since it recognizes and displays all the functioning keyboards, including the external ones.

Below are the instructions to temporarily deactivate your keyboard:

1. Right-click the “Start Menu” to bring up the “WinX Menu” and then pick “Device Manager” from there.

   

2. Find “Keyboards” in “Device Manager” and double-click to see the contents.

   

3. This section will list all the keyboards currently connected to your computer. Find the built-in keyboard and right-click it.
4. Select “Disable Device” from the resulting sub-menu.

   

5. To complete the operation and turn off the laptop’s internal keyboard, click the “Yes” button in the confirmation window.

   

6. If the context menu that appears doesn’t include a “Disable” option, don’t worry; you’ll still be able to remove drivers for the internal keyboard by selecting the “Uninstall Device” option.

   

7. As soon as you do, a confirmation dialog will appear. Click “OK” to confirm the removal of drivers for the internal keyboard.
8. “Restart” your device to complete this procedure. 

Also Read: How To Unlock Keyboard On HP Laptop

Disable Laptop Keyboard Permanently

Microsoft makes it somewhat more difficult to deactivate the keyboard permanently. To do so, you must disable the Windows’ capability to reinstall the driver automatically. If you don’t do this, the keyboard will start functioning again once you restart your laptop.

Follow these steps to disable the keyboard permanently:

1. To access group policy, click “Start,” then type “Group Policy” into the search bar.

   

2. After selecting the result labeled “Edit Group Policy,” a “Local Group Policy Editor” window should appear.
3. Select “Computer Configuration.”

   

4. To proceed, double-click “Administrative Templates.”

   

5. Then pick “System” and finally, “Device Installation.”

   

6. The folder labeled “Device Installation Restrictions” may be accessed by double-clicking.
7. Select “Edit” from the context menu after right-clicking the “Prevent Installation Of Devices Not Defined By Other Policy Settings” option.

   

8. Select “Enabled” by clicking the checkbox and then clicking “OK” in the resulting window.

Turn Off The PS/2 Port Service

Most laptop keyboards are linked internally by a PS/2 connector. Therefore, disabling that connection would effectively disable the keyboard.

Also Read: How To Shut Down PC With A Keyboard [All Methods]

You can just turn off the power to that port since there won’t be anything controlling its data once the service is turned off.

Here are the instructions to promptly carry out the process:

1. Click the Search box and enter “Command Prompt” followed by “Run As Administrator.”

   

2. Enter the following command:
   sc config i8042prt start= disabled.

   

3. After restarting your computer, your laptop’s keyboard should no longer function.
4. The following command can be used if you ever decide to turn the keyboard back on:
   sc config i8042prt start= auto.

Using Third-Party Software For Windows OS

The approaches mentioned above make it easier to comprehend the process. On the other hand, third-party solutions also exist to assist you in deactivating the keyboard. Additionally, learn how to change the color of your keyboard.

BlueLife KeyFreeze

You may effortlessly disable your Windows laptop’s keyboard using BlueLife KeyFreeze. Use this software to lock or unlock keys by simultaneously hitting the “Ctrl+Alt+F” keys.

However, you can modify this combination if you like. It is convenient since it disables the keyboard while leaving the screen unlocked. Double-click the “Setup File” after downloading the utility from the official site.

A taskbar countdown locks or unlocks the keyboard. Several options are also adjustable, allowing you to alter shortcut keys, disable pop-up windows, and much more.

KeyboardLock

Keyboard lock is an application that uses fewer system resources to lock your keyboard. To do so, specify a password and press the “Start” button. This tool will not affect your open programs. Type the password again when you wish to unlock it. Besides, it can also be used for external keyboards.

Use Incompatible Driver

Updates with incompatible drivers are unusual and should be avoided. The keyboard stops working when a driver is installed for a keyboard incompatible with the device. If the same driver controls the touchpad and keyboard, you will lose the capability of both. Hence, have a USB keyboard or mouse on hand.

Furthermore, a Blue Screen Of Death or other problems might result from using this technique. Therefore, only use these steps if you have tried all other, safer options and are sure that you must disable the keyboard. Another alternative is to use a USB keyboard instead to avoid this risk.

Use the instructions below to halt the built-in keyboard:

1. On “Device Manager,” go to the “Keyboards” section, expand “Standard PS/2 Keyboard,” and right-click it.
2. Choose “Update Driver” from the sub-box.

   

3. Select “Browse My Computer” to locate the driver software on your computer.

   

4. Select “Let Me Choose From My Computer’s Drivers.”

   

5. Deselect the box labeled “Show Compatible Hardware.”
6. Choose a brand from the drop-down menu (other than the one associated with your regular keyboard).
7. Next, choose a model and go on to the next step.

   

8. Choose “Yes” in the next window.
9. Select “Close” after updating the driver.
10. Reboot by selecting “Yes.”
11. The built-in keyboard stops working after the reboot.

Re-enabling the keyboard is as simple as going back through steps 1 and 2, but this time selecting “Search Automatically For Drivers.”

How To Disable Laptop Keyboard On macOS?

This section will discuss two methods to disable a laptop keyboard on macOS. 

Using The macOS Command Terminal

The following procedure utilizes a script you must enter in the “Terminal” window to deactivate your MacBook’s keyboard permanently.

1. To access “Utilities,” open “Applications.”
2. Double-click “Terminal” to launch it.

   

3. Input the code, sudo kextunload /System/Library/Extensions/AppleUSBTopCase.kext/Contents/PlugIns/AppleUSBTCKeyboard.kext/
   
4. Enter your password to proceed.

   

Also Read: How To Play Windows Games On Mac

Using Karabiner Elements

Using additional software is another way to deactivate the keyboard. To complete the task, install Karabiner Elements on your laptop.

The software will only disable the internal keyboard on your Mac when another keyboard is attached. That is, disabling the built-in keyboard necessitates using an external keyboard. 

Once you have the software downloaded and installed, proceed as described below:

1. Connect your MacBook to an external keyboard.
2. Launch the software “Karabiner Elements.”
3. Choose “Preferences.”
4. After selecting the “Devices” tab, choose “Advanced.”
5. In the section “Disable The Built-In Keyboard, When One Of The Following Chosen Devices Is Attached,” select the box next to your external keyboard and click the “OK” button.