I have been having a strange problem on my new PC which runs on Windows 8.1. My keyboard—just a basic, simple USB Microsoft Wired Keyboard 200—would seemingly just randomly switch on and off. This was quite annoying, particularly in games, as when it switched off it would sometimes take two key presses for it to switch on again and as you can imagine this lead to all sorts of difficulties.
I first noticed that my Num Lock LED was blinking but I did not pay it much attention, thinking that it was software related and that some programs automatically turned it off or on. At the same time there was a subtle sound notification playing in the background, but that too did not quite ‘click’ for me at first. It fully dawned on me only when I started playing DOTA 2 and especially World of Tanks as the controls did not behave the way you would expect them to.
Initially I thought that it was something to do with the keyboard setup in Windows, namely the Ease of Access settings which can help make it easier to use your PC. I made sure that all these assistive settings were switched off, but no dice.
I started paying closer attention to how the keyboard behaved and realized that it was not only happening in games or specific programs. Whenever I stopped typing or using the keyboard, the Num Lock would switch off after about 5 or 6 seconds. Similarly, if I pressed a key and held it for a while, it would also switch off. This lead me to the realization that the keyboard was actually physically powering off.
A bit more digging around and I found a solution:
1) Open Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Devices and Printers;
2) Right click on your keyboard, click on Properties;
3) Go to the Hardware tab, select the USB Input Device under Device Functions, and click on Properties;
4) Click on Change Settings, go to the Power Management tab;
5) Clear (uncheck) the ‘Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power’.
This sorted it out.
Loading tweets...
Thank you so much for this one. I had the same problem and could not find the answer.
You saved my day.
Awesome! I’m glad it was helpful.
Thank You for the solution!
This issue really drived me mad.
You’re welcome, Chris! It was driving me mental too, particularly in games.
Oh thank you god! I am so happy right now. I’ve been dealing with this problem for a month now. it’s been driving me insane. I do a lot of hot-key intensive work and my projects were messing up left and right because the keyboard would shut down just as i went to use it. Thank You Thank You, sending you so many blessings right now. 😀 😀
That’s fantastic to hear, Bob, you’re most welcome! Happy holidays and many blessings to you too.
Awesome information and description! I had the same problem with my Microsoft 200 wired keyboard. I just hooked it up to my new box with windows 8.1 and was experience this problem. Similar to you, I was having the most friction when playing DOTA 2. Again, thank you for the post. Also, I really like your layout on this page! I am an entry level web developer just out of college. I would love to have a conversation with you sometime! Cheers
Cool bananas, Shayne, I’m so glad this post is helping people out, especially if it enables them to play DOTA 2! And thank you for your feedback regarding my page, that’s very kind of you. Feel free to drop me an email, I’ll see if I can be of any help.
Thanks buddy, I hope this solved my problem 🙂
Excellent, thanks for commenting!
Even in 2015 still helpful. I totally forgot about the USB power saving crap MS put in, KUDOS 🙂
Woot woot! My pleasure, Kesek!
you are awesome
Yay! My pleasure 😀
Thanks for this. I remember doing it when I first set up the computer, but after installing a new graphics card and unplugging the device, it started acting up again. When looking at the devices themselves somewhere else, that box was grayed out. Thanks for showing me the way lol. Will be bookmarking for the future 🙂
You’re most welcome, Nick! So glad the post is still relevant and helpful after all this time.
I have the same problem. The same keyboard also. I upgraded to windows 10 (do not ask why, I was in a vunerable mental state) however although I knew that method already, mine is not highlighted to be checked or unchecked. Any workarounds?
Hey TziKei,
Thanks for posting. I’m not sure, to be honest. I haven’t installed Windows 10, so it’s possible they changed it since Windows 8. One thought – are you using administrator account? Just wondering if perhaps your account does not have privileges to change that setting?
Hello,
same problem here, when i go to the properties i can only choose:
this device can get the computer out of power save
or
de computer can disable this device to save power (which i cannot highlight)
maybe the keyboard isn’t windows 10 ready yet?
Hmm, I’m sorry to hear that! Unfortunately I don’t have access to a Win 10 machine, so I can’t test it or dig for another solution. I wish I could help!
Thank you so much!
My pleasure! Glad I could help 🙂
I had this problem too on Windows 10. I unchecked the “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power” checkbox for the keyboard but it didn’t change the behaviour. I then did the same for all Human Interface Devices that had the option checked. There were 11 devices in total and 5 of them had the option checked.
Now it works fine. Thanks pixel.ninja.
My only other success was to use an old PS/2 keyboard, but I’ve got so used to the slight curve on my Microsoft keyboard that I couldn’t type on the old straight one!
That’s great, Duncan. I’m glad the post helped you. And thanks for sharing the solution for Windows 10! It might help the folks for whom my original post didn’t work. I still haven’t upgraded to Win 10, so didn’t have a chance to test it myself.
Had this problem with upgraded to Windows 10. Followed your instructions exactly and it has been resolved. Thanks.
Awesome, thank you, Steve!
You’re amazing.. I’ll try it now.. Thank you a lot 🙂
My pleasure!
Hi!
I am having the same problem but with Windows 7 – I keep moving forward automatically after already had released the “W” key. The thing is that I am using a laptop keyboard and I am unable to press “Change Settings”. Do you have an idea what I can do to solve it?
Hi Nikola, hmm, I’m not sure, but this sounds like a slightly different problem. Do you get the issue only with your W key, or any other key as well? If it’s only the W, it could be a problem with the key itself.
It didn`t wоrk
In my case checkbox “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power” is grey, and there is no option to change power plan
I know this board is old but I’m hoping someone can help me. My keyboard keeps appearing and disappearing from the device area. I tried doing what this article said however it is still doing it. I’ve tried to update device as well as uninstall/reinstall and it did not help. Any other suggestions by chance? It’s not the keyboard doing it. This has been the third keyboard now I’ve put on this desktop and same issue. I first noticed it when it would randomly stop typing.
Hi Betty,
I’m not sure to be honest. That almost sounds like a faulty connection to me if the keyboard keeps disappearing from the device manager. If you tried three different keyboards and it keeps happening, it can’t be a problem with the keyboard itself, but could it be the port? If they’re USB keyboards, did you try plugging them into a different USB port?