If the Windows 11 virtual keyboard does not display, you can follow the following steps to solve the problem: 1. Make sure the touch keyboard is enabled, the path is Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Touch keyboard is set to "On"; 2. Non-touch screen devices can manually start the screen keyboard, search for "on-screen keyboard" through Win S and open it; 3. If it still cannot be displayed, try restarting Windows Explorer, checking for system updates, running keyboard troubleshooting, updating, or reinstalling the display/touch screen driver; 4. Exclude interference from third-party software and temporarily disable the startup program; 5. Use alternative input methods, such as voice input, third-party virtual keyboard or external physical keyboard. In most cases, adjusting the basic settings or starting manually can restore normality.

The Windows 11 virtual keyboard is a handy tool for touchscreen devices or when you need to input text without a physical keyboard. But if it's not showing up when needed, it can be frustrating. The issue often comes down to a few common causes — incorrect settings, outdated drivers, or conflicting system features.

Check if Touch Keyboard is Enabled

Windows 11 includes a built-in touch keyboard that should appear automatically on touchscreen devices when a text field is selected. If it doesn't show up, make sure the feature is enabled:

• Go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar
• Under the “Taskbar behaviors” section, find the Touch keyboard option
• Toggle it On

With this setting active, the keyboard should pop up whenever you tap into a text box on a touchscreen. If you're using a non-touchscreen device, the virtual keyboard won't appear this way by default — more on that below.

Launch the On-Screen Keyboard Manually

If you're using a desktop or laptop without a touchscreen and still want to bring up a keyboard interface, the On-Screen Keyboard (OSK) is your go-to tool. Here's how to open it:

• Press Win S to open Search
• Type on-screen keyboard
• Click the result to launch it

This version of the keyboard works with a mouse or touch input and is especially useful for accessibility purposes. If OSK doesn't open at all, there might be an underlying system issue — we'll cover that next.

Fix Common Issues That Prevent the Keyboard from Appearing

Sometimes the keyboard just doesn't show up due to glitches or misconfigurations. Try these fixes:

• Restart the Windows Explorer process via Task Manager: Right-click the taskbar > Task Manager > Processes tab > right-click Windows Explorer > Restart.
• Check for Windows updates : Some issues are resolved through system updates.
• Run the built-in troubleshooter : Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Keyboard > Run.
• Reinstall or update your display/touchscreen drivers through Device Manager.

Also, ensure no third-party apps are interfering — especially those that modify UI behavior or input methods. Temporarily disabling startup programs may help identify conflicts.

Use Alternative Input Methods if Needed

If the virtual keyboard continues to act up and you need a quick alternative, consider:

• Enabling Voice Typing , found in Settings > Accessibility > Speech
• Using a third-party on-screen keyboard , like Microsoft PowerToys' Keyboard Launcher or free alternatives
• Connecting a physical Bluetooth or USB keyboard temporary

These options aren't perfect substitutes, but they can keep you productive while troubleshooting deeper system issues.

Basically that's all— most of the time, checking the basic settings or manually launching the keyboard gets things working again. It's usually not a major system failure, just something minor that needs a quick adjustment.

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