How to Disable a Laptop’s Inbuilt Keyboard (Step-by-Step Guide)

If your laptop’s internal keyboard is broken, malfunctioning, or you simply prefer using an external keyboard, you may want to disable your laptop’s inbuilt keyboard. In this guide, we’ll show you safe and easy methods for Windows, macOS, and Linux, including Device Manager, CMD, and third-party tools.

Why Disable a Laptop’s Internal Keyboard?

Disabling your built-in keyboard can be useful if:

• Keys are stuck or broken

• The keyboard types randomly (ghost typing)

• You prefer a mechanical or ergonomic external keyboard

• You want to prevent accidental key presses while gaming or typing

How to Disable Internal Keyboard on Windows

Method 1: Using Device Manager

1. Press Win + X → select Device Manager

2. Expand Keyboards

3. Right-click Standard PS/2 Keyboard

4. Click Disable Device (if available)

5. Restart your laptop

6. Connect your external keyboard

⚠ Some Windows versions don’t show “Disable.” Use the CMD or driver uninstall method instead.

Method 2: Using Command Prompt (CMD)

1. Press Win + S, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator

2. Type the following command and press Enter:

   sc config i8042prt start= disabled

3. Restart your computer

This disables the i8042prt service, which runs the internal keyboard.

To Re-Enable:

Restart your laptop.

Method 3: Uninstall Keyboard Driver

1. Open Device Manager

2. Expand Keyboards

3. Right-click Standard PS/2 Keyboard → Uninstall device

4. Restart your laptop

5. The internal keyboard will stop working until the driver is reinstalled

Method 4: Group Policy Editor (Windows Pro/Enterprise)

1. Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc → Enter

2. Navigate to:
   Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → System → Device Installation → Device Installation Restrictions

3. Enable “Prevent installation of devices not described by other policy settings”

4. Uninstall the keyboard driver and restart

This prevents Windows from reinstalling the internal keyboard driver.