How to Fix Can't Type in Command Prompt [6 Working Ways on Windows 11/10]
Command Prompt, or CMD, is undoubtedly the most powerful tool in Windows. It allows you directly interact with the system kernel and run powerful system commands. However, the question is what to do if you cannot use the CMD. There is an error in Windows called "Can't type in Command Prompt," where you can no longer type commands in Command Prompt.
This article explains more about this error and why it is caused. By the end of this discussion, you will also be able to learn some common fixes to resolve this issue.
Why Can't Type in Command Prompt
If it is the first time you have faced the can't type in Command Prompt error, you might be wondering what caused it. Below are some of the most common reasons for this error:
- Improper Keyboard Connection: The reasons for improper keyboard connection can be a faulty driver, defective cable, or Bluetooth issues.
- Administrator Privileges: Using a standard account instead of an administrator account can also lead to can't type in Command Prompt issue.
- Temporary Glitches and Bugs: The continuous usage of the system can lead to the accumulation of bugs and glitches.
- Corrupt User Profile or System Files: It is also possible that your user profile has been corrupted and is causing this issue.
- Antiviruses and Third-Party Programs: Many users have reported that the antivirus software installed on their system was causing this issue.
How to Fix Can't Type in Command Prompt Error
There is no need to panic if you are facing the can't type in Command Prompt issue, as it can be easily fixed. In this article, we have selected the 5 most productive solutions to fix this error:
Method 1. Quick Fix: Try Command Prompt Alternative
Method 2. Perform A Simple Restart
Method 3. Check the Keyboard's Connection Cable
Method 4. Run CMD as Administrator
Method 5. Restart PC in Safe Mode
Method 6. Switch to the Legacy Console Mode
To help you out, we have provided a detailed walkthrough for each method below:
Method 1. Quick Fix: Try Command Prompt Alternative
The first and best solution is to use a reliable alternative to the CMD. Qiling Disk Master is an excellent replacement for CMD if you mainly use the Command Prompt to manage hard disks. It can check disk health, repair file systems, create partitions, and perform many other tasks. This tool is also fast, easy to use, and powerful.
Your system's hard disks are prone to wear and tear, which can lead to many issues. One of the most annoying issues is the accumulation of bad sectors on the hard disk. These bad sectors can create many issues, including CMD not working properly. Luckily using the "Check File System" function of Qiling Disk Master, you can repair these bad sectors.
Using the "Check File System" feature is easy due to the user-friendly interface of Qiling Disk Master. The instructions for this process are given below, which are quite easy:
Step 1. Open Qiling Disk Master on your computer. Then, locate the disk, right-click the partition you want to check, and choose "Advanced" > "Check File System".
Step 2. In the Check File System window, keep the "Fix the error on the disk" option selected and click "Start".
Step 3. The software will begin checking your partition file system on your disk. When it completes, click "Finish".
Key Features of Qiling Disk Master
As the best alternative to the command prompt, Qiling Disk Master can support all operations run from the command line. It simplifies the steps of using the command line and also supports more advanced features. For example, it can:
- Check hard drive health
- Delete OEM partitions
- Merge non-adjacent partitions
- Format SSD with Windows on it
- Clone larger HDD to smaller SSD
- Format the hard drive to exFAT/FAT32/EXT2
- Test disk speed, including maximum speed performance
Download it, and you can enjoy this tool's conveniences on your computer and hard drives!
Method 2. Perform A Simple Restart
If the keyboard not working in the command prompt, you can try to restart your PC first. Restarting the computer can solve most of your problems. And you can also perform a simple restart for your CMD. If this doesn't work for you, try other fixes.
Method 3. Check the Keyboard's Connection Cable
Check if the keyboard connected to your computer is properly established, as an improper connection can cause the can't type in Command Prompt error. If you are using a wired keyboard, unplug the wire from your computer and re-plug it. If the situation persists, try using a new keyboard or another port to connect the keyboard.
If you are using a wireless keyboard, turn off the Bluetooth and wait a few moments. Now turn it back on and reconnect your keyboard. You should also check the keyboard driver and update it if it is outdated.
Method 4. Run CMD as Administrator
Lack of administrator privileges is another major cause of can't type in Command Prompt problem. You should try to run the Command Prompt as administrator to check if that resolves the issue. Follow these steps to run CMD as administrator on your PC:
Step 1: On the desktop, use the search bar to search "Command Prompt." Once it appears on the screen, click "Run as administrator" from the available options.
Step 2: A Windows prompt will appear, asking if you want to allow this program to change your device. Select "Yes," and the CMD will successfully open with administrator privileges.
Method 5. Restart PC in Safe Mode
If there are no glitches or administrator privileges, third-party programs are the most likely cause. It can be hard to determine which program is normally causing the issue. The best way is to run your system in Safe Mode and find the culprit. Use the following steps to restart your PC in Safe Mode:
Step 1: Open the "Settings" on your PC using the "Start" button and click on "Updates & Security." Here, select "Recovery" from the left sidebar and tap "Restart Now" in "Advanced Startup."
Step 2: A blue screen will appear on your computer where you must click the "Troubleshoot" option. On the next screen, access the "Advanced Options" option.
Step 3: Now, click "Startup Settings" from the "Advanced Options" and press "Restart" on the ensuing screen to reboot your computer in Safe Mode. Once the computer restarts, use the "F4" or "4" key to enable Safe Mode.
Step 4: Afterward, press "F6" or "6" to enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt. After resolving the issue, hold the "Shift" key, click "Restart," and follow the on-screen instructions to boot out of Safe Mode.
Method 6. Switch to the Legacy Console Mode
Microsoft introduced a more advanced Command Prompt in Windows 10 with new features. While this new Command Prompt is a welcoming addition, it still causes issues like "can't type in Command Prompt." Luckily, Windows 10 retains the feature of using the old CMD. Here is how you can switch back to legacy console mode:
Step 1: Use the "Windows + R" key to open the Run function on Windows. Type "cmd" and press the "Ctrl + Shift + Enter" key to launch Command Prompt as administrator.
Step 2: Now, click the black icon from the top left corner and click "Properties" from the ensuing menu. In the "Options," check the "Use legacy console" box and press "OK." The CMD will now switch to the legacy mode.
I hope the above method can help you solve the problem of "can't type in command prompt." If you have encountered other problems, such as the command prompt not working, please click the following link to see the specific solution.
Fixed: Command Prompt Not Working in Windows 11/10
It seems that a significant number of Windows 10 users have encountered the CMD command not working issue after they update to a new system. So how to make CMD command to work again becomes a new problem.
Conclusion
Not being able to use the Command Prompt can be problematic if that's how you manage your computer's hard disks. The "can't type in Command Prompt" issue can be annoying but easily solvable. If you are tired of using CMD, Qiling Disk Master is an excellent replacement. Through it, you can easily resolve all hard disk issues quickly.
FAQs About Can't Type in Command Prompt
To ensure that all your queries are answered, below are answers to some FAQs about can't type in Command Prompt from the internet:
1. How to repair CMD in Windows 10?
If you want to fix issues with the Command Prompt in Windows, follow these simple instructions to repair the CMD in no time:
Step 1: Click the "Start" button on your computer and navigate to "Windows System." Here, right-click on Command Prompt and tap "More."
Step 2: Now, click "Run as administrator" and press "Yes" on the system prompt to launch the CMD as administrator. It will resolve the issue with CMD.
2. Why are CMD commands not working?
If you cannot type commands on CMD, there can be many reasons behind it. This could be due to a faulty keyboard, corrupt system files, lack of required permissions, etc. You can follow the fixes given above to resolve the issue.
3. How to reactivate CMD?
To reactive CMD on your device, you will have to perform the following instructions guided below:
Step 1: Run the Command Prompt as administrator on your computer. Now, click the black icon from the top corner and select "Properties."
Step 2: Check the "Use legacy console" box and press "OK" to reactivate the old CMD.
4. How to fix when the command doesn't respond?
If the command line does not respond, you may refer to the following to fix it:
- Shut down the activity or reboot the device.
- Disable anti-virus software.
- Use the command prompt in safe mode.
- Log in with a different account.
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