How to Disable the Keyboard on a Chromebook

By: Robert Llarves | Date Posted: June 14, 2023

Hey there! If you’re looking to disable the keyboard on your Chromebook, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you want to prevent accidental key presses, clean your keyboard without interference, or use an external keyboard, disabling the built-in keyboard can be a handy trick. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process, step-by-step. So, let’s get started!

Why Disable the Keyboard on a Chromebook?

Before we dive into the “how,” let’s quickly discuss the “why.” Here are a few reasons why you might want to disable the keyboard on your Chromebook:

1. Accidental Key Presses: If you often find yourself accidentally hitting keys while typing or using the trackpad, disabling the keyboard can help prevent those unwanted inputs.
2. Cleaning Purposes: Cleaning your keyboard can be a challenge when keys are being pressed. By disabling the keyboard, you can clean it thoroughly without interference.
3. External Keyboard: Sometimes, you may prefer using an external keyboard for a better typing experience or to accommodate specific needs. Disabling the built-in keyboard allows you to use an external one seamlessly.

Step-by-Step Guide to Disable the Keyboard on a Chromebook

Now that we understand the benefits, let’s walk through the process of disabling the keyboard on a Chromebook:

1. Access Accessibility Settings: Click on the time in the bottom right corner of your screen, and then click on the gear icon to open the settings menu. From there, select “Accessibility.”
2. Enable “On-screen Keyboard”: Under the “Accessibility” settings, you’ll find an option called “Manage accessibility features.” Click on it, and then toggle the switch next to “Enable on-screen keyboard.” This step is necessary to control the Chromebook without a physical keyboard.
3. Use the On-screen Keyboard: Now that the on-screen keyboard is enabled, you can use it to navigate through the settings and disable the physical keyboard.
4. Go to “Keyboard Settings”: Click on the time in the bottom right corner again, followed by the gear icon. This time, select “Keyboard settings” from the menu.
5. Disable the Physical Keyboard: In the “Keyboard settings” menu, you’ll find an option called “Keyboard.” Click on it, and then toggle the switch next to “Enable keyboard” to turn it off. This action will disable the physical keyboard on your Chromebook.
6. Test and Confirm: After disabling the physical keyboard, try typing something using the on-screen keyboard or an external one. Make sure the physical keyboard no longer responds.

Re-enabling the Keyboard on a Chromebook

If you decide you want to use your Chromebook’s physical keyboard again, here’s how you can re-enable it:

1. Access Accessibility Settings: Follow the same steps as mentioned in Section 2, Step 1, to access the Chromebook’s settings menu.
2. Go to “Keyboard Settings”: Click on “Keyboard settings” in the settings menu.
3. Enable the Physical Keyboard: In the “Keyboard settings” menu, toggle the switch next to “Enable keyboard” to turn it on. This action will re-enable the physical keyboard on your Chromebook.
4. Confirm Keyboard Functionality: After re-enabling the keyboard, test it out by typing something. Ensure that the physical keyboard is now working as expected.

Wrap Up

Congratulations! You’ve successfully learned how to disable and re-enable the keyboard on your Chromebook. Whether you want to prevent accidental key presses, clean your keyboard or use an external keyboard, being able to disable the built-in keyboard gives you more control and flexibility over your Chromebook experience. Remember, this feature is particularly useful if you find yourself in situations where you prefer not to use the physical keyboard.