How to fix keyboard lag on Windows 10
Lag of any sort, whether it’s in a game or if it’s on your desktop when you’re trying to type or select something, is hard to work with. With games, lag is often caused by a slow internet connection or stress on your system’s resources. With hardware lag, e.g., when your mouse lags or the keyboard lags, the reasons are very different and often vague.
Keyboard lag
Keyboard lag manifests in one way; when you tap a key on the keyboard, it takes a few seconds for the keypress to register or if the keypress has registered, you won’t see feedback (e.g., a typed letter) for a few seconds.
If you’re typing, this lag can make it difficult to do so and often, if you keep typing, the lag will get worse. The keyboard needs to ‘catch up’ before it can start typing smoothly.
Fix Keyboard lag on Windows 10
Keyboard lag can happen with both wired and wireless keyboards.
1. Run keyboard troubleshooter
Windows 10 has a troubleshooter for almost everything, including the keyboard.
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to the Update and Security group of settings.
- Select the Troubleshoot tab.
- Click Additional Troubleshooters.
- Select and run the Keyboard troubleshooter.
- Apply any and all fixes that it recommends.
2. Disconnect and reconnect
Try removing and reconnecting the keyboard if it’s an external keyboard. Change which port the keyboard is connected to. If you’re using a Bluetooth keyboard, unpair it, and pair it again. On that note, for a wireless keyboard, you should check if it needs to be charged or its battery needs to be replaced.
3. Turn off filter keys
Some lag may be attributed to a feature on Windows 10 e.g., the filter keys. Turn them off and see if the lag goes away.
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to the Ease of Access group of settings.
- Select the Keyboard tab.
- Scroll down, and turn the Filter Keys switch off.
4. Reduce key repeat interval
When you hold down a key, the letter it corresponds to repeats. Windows 10 waits a small period of time to check if you’re simply tapping a key or if you’re holding it down. This is known as the repeat interval and if it’s set to too long, it may cause lag.
- Open the Control Panel.
- Open the dropdown at the top right, and select ‘Large icons’.
- Select Keyboard.
- Go to the Speed tab.
- Use the Repeat delay slider to decrease the delay and check if the lag goes away.
5. Uninstall and reinstall keyboard
Try uninstalling the keyboard and installing it again.
- Open the Device Manager.
- Expand Keyboards.
- Right-click your keyboard and select Uninstall Device.
- Restart the system.
- The keyboard will be detected on startup and drives for it will be installed automatically.
Update driver
Try updating the driver for your keyboard.
- Open the Device Manager.
- Expand Keyboard.
- Right-click the keyboard, and select Update driver.
- Install any driver updates that are found.
- Restart the system.
Conclusion
A keyboard, much like a mouse, is a very basic peripheral to use with your system. It is easy to set up and easy to troubleshoot. Unless you have a hardware problem, the lag will be resolved with one of the solutions we’ve listed.
