In the light of recent scientific developments in the field of computer technology, users increasingly notice the presence on computers of some obscure devices recognized by the operating system as HID devices. In particular, this applies to all kinds of game controllers, input devices and manipulators, including mice, as well as modern HID-keyboards. What are these devices, why are they assigned such names and how to cope with the most common problems in their work, and then we will figure it out. But first, let's determine the understanding of the basic term.
Human Interface Device: what is this equipment in a general sense?
Dealing with this term is generally quite straightforward. Simply translate it from English into Russian, as a result, we get something like devices with a human face (interface). All equipment included in this concept is considered to be such that is designed to interact with a person as simply as possible. The category of such equipment in the general case includes most peripheral devices designed to control computer systems at different levels.
To connect them, either USB interfaces and corresponding ports are used, or Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless modules. The last two, by the way, are also classified as USB HID. With Wi-Fi-modules, everything is clear, because the same mice and keyboards can be called wireless quite conditionally, because to connect them to the main computer unit, you just need the same wireless adapter that is inserted into the corresponding USB port. With Bluetooth, there is no complete clarity, because when connected to the same laptops with built-in “blue-tooth” modules, USB ports may not be needed at all.
HID keyboard: what is it?
Now a few words directly about the keyboard blocks. Let's see what kinds of HID keyboards are. What kind of devices these are is not hard to figure out if you simply evaluate them visually. Among them, there are standard blocks, such as those used on stationary PCs (PS / 2 standard), and smaller keyboards without digital panels, similar to those that are installed on laptops with screen sizes of 13 inches or less.
You can also find entire multimedia systems, truncated gaming panels, soft-lined keyboards that roll up almost into a tube, completely miniature blocks with 22, 18, 11 or 10 keys, etc. In general, it is believed that it is theoretically possible to create a block with 256 keys (input / output range 0-255). But recently, devices on which the positions of the main buttons with letters and symbols have changed are particularly popular, which corresponds to the factory setting of a non-standard layout.
What to do if the USB keyboard does not work: the simplest solution
With basic concepts, clarity is introduced. Now briefly dwell on situations related to the fact that the keyboard of a HID-standard PC for some reason does not work. You can troubleshoot a few simple methods. The first and easiest solution, since the keyboard unit is connected either directly via a USB port or via a wireless module (but also via USB), is to change the port used. It is possible that it just does not work or has a different class (for example, the keyboard is designed to be connected via USB 3.0, and the cable is inserted into the USB 2.0 port).
You can distinguish between connectors and plugs by color (USB 3.0 corresponds to a blue color).
Reinstalling the driver
If we consider that for any device existing in the system (external or internal) and its correct operation, special control software called the driver is necessary, it is logical to assume that the problem may be in it. You can verify this quite simply by calling the “Device Manager”. If equipment with malfunctions is detected, it can immediately be seen in the list of HID devices for which the driver is not installed or in its operation malfunctions. Typically, manufacturers supply media with drivers for their peripherals, so you can reinstall the driver yourself.
But in most cases this is not necessary, since all equipment of the HID class should be recognized by any computer system and without it.
In this situation, it is best to remove the problem device completely and completely, and then restart the computer. In theory, Windows will find and install the missing driver itself.
USB controller management software
Often, the reason may not even lie in the equipment itself or its drivers, but in the control software of USB controllers.
In this case, it is recommended to update the drivers of all controllers located in the corresponding section of the same “Device Manager”. To install the latest drivers, in both cases, you can use special programs like iObit Driver Booster, which are able to find and install updated software without user intervention.
Enabling USB in BIOS
It remains to add a few words about HID-keyboards. What kind of devices are these, of course. How they work and what they are intended for, also seems to be clear. But what to do if the above methods did not resolve the health problem? Apparently, although support for the peripherals of this class was announced initially, something could happen with the settings of the primary input / output system.
For the sake of accuracy, go to the BIOS / UEFI settings immediately after turning on the computer and find there items like USB Keyboard Support or USB Legacy Support. For them, the Enabled parameter must be set. In some BIOS versions, you can find settings like EHCI Hand-Off and XHCI Hand-Off, which are responsible for manually switching between USB 2.0 / 3.0 standards. If there is a Windows system on the computer, they must be deactivated (Disabled value). In older BIOS versions, the Plug & Play OS parameter is also found, which automatically detects connected PNP devices. It must be enabled (value Yes).