Windows 10 Won't Restore Because Keyboard Shuts Off

Question

Windows 10 Won't Restore Because Keyboard Shuts Off

Mark Weiss 86

Windows 10

I recently had some Windows 10 updates because I had to connect my workstation to the internet briefly to let a license update happen (about every 90 days I have to connect for a minute to let TMPGenc Authoring Works 7 renew license). When I did so last week, Windows updated. Since then, my CF Card reader stopped working.

Microsoft tech told me to run SFC /scannow, and it found corrupt files. So I ran DISM. After that, I started up my programs and realized all my preferences were reset to factory. My wacom tablet was no longer configured. DaVinci Resolve was set to some default, Blender had lost all my customizations.

After determining that the system was beyond repair, I decided to just start over and re load my July 15 image of C: drive. So I went into Recovery mode, and when it gets to the part where you enter your password, I found my keyboard no longer worked. And the mouse didn't work either!

Assuming the recovery environment was damaged, I booted off a Windows install media and prepared to reinstall Windows. However, when the Windows PE environment welcome screen appeared, the lights on my keyboard extinguished and my keyboard and mouse were once again shut off.

I've checked my BIOS to make sure USB legacy was turned on. It is.

I've never in 39 years of using and building PCs, ever encountered a situation like this where the keyboard shuts down in Windows installer! I've tried another keyboard on another USB port and same thing happens. See that NUM LOCK light shut off as Win PE boots up. What if I wanted to install a new version of Windows? Can't do it!

I also tried moving keyboard to different USB 2.0 port and tried again. Same thing! I can not install Windows on this PC, nor do a restore because of this.

Maybe this is the excuse I need to get a bank loan and buy components to build my dream workstation, as this dual Xeon Supermicro X10DRi I built for $17K in 2015 is getting a little old. Was considering a top of the line Asus motherboard, 256GB RAM, RTX5090, etc. but can't really afford to now, so I'm trying to make the dual Xeon stretch for a few more years.

1 answer

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Answer 1

Hendrix-V 1,430 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hello Mark Weiss, I'm Hendrix

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Q&A Forum regarding the issue you're experiencing with USB keyboard and mouse shutting off during Windows 10 recovery and installation. I understand this must be frustrating, and I'm here to help you resolve this.

Please follow these troubleshooting steps to fix the issue.

Solution 1: Test with a PS/2 Keyboard

If your Supermicro X10DRi has a PS/2 port, connect a PS/2 keyboard (or use a USB-to-PS/2 adapter if available).
Boot into WinRE or WinPE using your recovery partition or Windows 10 install media.
Check if the PS/2 keyboard functions at the password prompt or setup screen.
If functional, proceed with system image restoration or Windows reinstallation.

PS/2 interfaces bypass the USB stack, which may be failing in WinPE/WinRE due to missing or incompatible drivers.

If no PS/2 port is available, proceed to Solution 2.

Solution 2: Create a Custom WinPE with USB Drivers

The default WinPE may lack USB drivers for your motherboard’s chipset. Create a custom WinPE with appropriate drivers. Injecting chipset-specific USB drivers ensures compatibility with your hardware.

On a working PC, download the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) from Microsoft’s website. Download the Windows ADK
Install the ADK with the Deployment Tools and Windows Preinstallation Environment components.
Download USB drivers for the Supermicro X10DRi (Intel C612 chipset) from Supermicro’s support page or Intel’s website.
Use DISM to create a custom WinPE image:

Open Command Prompt and enter

copype amd64 C:\WinPE_amd64

Dism /Mount-Image /ImageFile:"C:\WinPE_amd64\media\sources\boot.wim" /Index:1 /MountDir:"C:\WinPE_amd64\mount"

Dism /Image:"C:\WinPE_amd64\mount" /Add-Driver /Driver:"path_to_usb_drivers" /Recurse

Dism /Unmount-Image /MountDir:"C:\WinPE_amd64\mount" /Commit

Create a bootable USB with the custom WinPE using MakeWinPEMedia:

In Command Prompt, enter

MakeWinPEMedia /UFD C:\WinPE_amd64 X:

Boot from this USB and test if the keyboard/mouse work in WinPE.

Solution 3: Update or Reset BIOS

A BIOS issue may cause USB devices to fail in WinRE/WinPE.

Download the latest BIOS firmware for the Supermicro X10DRi from Supermicro’s support page.
Follow Supermicro’s instructions to update the BIOS (typically via a bootable USB with the BIOS file).
Verify BIOS settings:

USB Configuration: Enable all USB controllers (XHCI, EHCI).

Legacy USB Support: Enabled.

Fast Boot: Disabled.

Secure Boot: Disabled.

If the issue persists, reset the BIOS to default settings:

Power off the system, remove the CMOS battery for 5 minutes, then reinsert it.

Alternatively, use the motherboard’s CMOS clear jumper (consult the X10DRi manual).

Reboot into WinRE/WinPE and test the keyboard/mouse.

Disclaimer: Microsoft provides no assurances and/or warranties, implied or otherwise, and is not responsible for the information you receive from the third-party linked sites or any support related to technology. If you are going to modify BIOS Settings, please back up all your personal files first to ensure you do not lose data.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Best regards,

Hendrix-MSFT | Microsoft Q&A Support Specialist

Mark Weiss 86 Reputation points

2025-08-03T21:35:19.3933333+00:00

I am a little confused as to why I suddenly have to run customized WinPE to do what I've always been able to do with normal WinPE on this machine for the past ten years.
Mark Weiss 86 Reputation points

2025-08-04T00:52:05.45+00:00

I installed the ADK on a laptop and tried to run the first command but got the response "copype is not a recognized command".
Hendrix-V 1,430 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-08-06T04:30:18.3133333+00:00

Hi Mark Weiss,

Thank you for updating more information on the issue!

Those commands I mentioned should be run on Command Prompt (Start > cmd and run as administration). Your normal WinPE may lack USB drivers for your motherboard’s chipset, so creating a custom WinPE with appropriate drivers can ensure compatibility with your hardware.

Please keep me inform, I'm willing to collaborate with you till we resolve the issue.

Warm regards,

Hendrix Vu | Microsoft Q&A Support Specialist
Mark Weiss 86 Reputation points

2025-08-06T13:43:25.17+00:00

I did use command prompt for the commands, but it is still unrecognized.

The overarching question is this: why did the recovery environment work for ten years and just suddenly last month stop working after the machine suffered a Windows update? Apparently it's always had USB drivers for the motherboard until a month ago? But then why would the environment change, not only on recovery partition but on every copy of installation media that I possess? Does not make sense.
Hendrix-V 1,430 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-08-07T04:01:25.72+00:00

Hi Mark Weiss,

This is Hendrix from Q&A Community Team.

As all solutions done and the issue does not resolve, you can consider roll back to the previous update of window and wait for a compatibility update.

Please keep me inform, I'm willing to collaborate with you till we resolve the issue.

Warm regards,

Hendrix Vu | Microsoft Q&A Support Specialist
Mark Weiss 86 Reputation points

2025-08-07T14:06:58.0933333+00:00

I don't think a rollback is going to help me now. Whatever that last update did, it corrupted my BIOS so that I can't use the keyboard on ANY installation media.

I have even gone to the lengths to reset CMOS and replace the battery. The ten year old battery turned out to be almost new condition as it measured 3.23 volts after ten years in this system. I had a lot of problems getting the system to even boot properly after that.. primary monitor would not wake up, had to move it to another port on the GPU, then all my programs in Windows would change the Wacom tablet mapping when started, causing cursor to go off screen. 3 hours of muss and fuss to get a working system.

My best workaround now is to boot from a Windows installer DVD media. At least I can skip the password and use my serial mouse to navigate the system restore menus.

Oddly, when I boot from a Windows install media on USB stick, it doesn't work.

If there was a way to modify the recovery partition on the hard drive to not need the password to restore system partition, I could live with that.
Hendrix-V 1,430 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-08-12T08:14:45.5333333+00:00

Hi Mark Weiss,

This is Hendrix from Microsoft Q&A Forum.

I'm sorry that the issue still persists. As a Last Resort, I can suggest you to remove the drive, connect it to another PC, back up data, and perform a clean install.

Please keep me inform, I'm willing to collaborate with you till we resolve the issue.

Warm regards,

Hendrix Vu | Microsoft Q&A Support Specialist
Mark Weiss 86 Reputation points

2025-08-12T17:22:42.23+00:00

That's not a viable option. Since I cannot install Windows on THIS PC anymore due to no keyboard in WinPE. If I were to install Windows on this drive in another PC, the HAL would be wrong and it wouldn't boot in THIS PC. Besides, I have months of custom tweaks to various programs that I would lose.

I'll just use the machine until it dies and then consider financing a new PC. This machine cost $17K in parts in 2015 when I originally assembled it. It was modeled after the $30K top of the line Pudget Systems editing PC, using same components assembled by me.

The machine is working fine as far as applications and productivity, so I'm going to leave it alone for now. If it breaks and becomes unbootable, then it's over for this machine. It will go to the dump for scrap. All this, because I wanted to run the new TMPGenc Authoring Works 7 which needed to touch the internet for license renewal. During that time, Microsoft tampered with my Windows install and this is the result.
Hendrix-V 1,430 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-08-19T04:12:15.5+00:00

Hi Mark Weiss,

This is Hendrix from Q&A Community Support team.

Is there anything else I can assist you with? If not, please feel free to let me know so I can close this thread.

In addition, if you found the answer helpful, we’d really appreciate it if you could click "Accept Answer" and kindly give it an upvote. Your feedback helps others in the community too!
Mark Weiss 86 Reputation points

2025-08-19T23:31:11.4666667+00:00

I'm not the least bit satisfied with any of the "answers" from M$.

That windows update did something to my BIOS to make the keyboard not work in WinPE anymore. Probably a nefarious way to force me to buy a new PC. Well, I paid $17,000 for the components to build that workstation in Aug 2015 and I have no intention of buying or building another PC.
Hendrix-V 1,430 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-08-20T02:57:21.9133333+00:00
Hi Mark Weiss,

This is Hendrix from Q&A Community Support team.

I'm sorry that the issue still persists.

If nothing works, please try to perform a Repair Install (In-Place Upgrade):

Download the Windows 11 ISO.

Run the setup and choose Keep personal files and apps.

Please keep me inform, I'm willing to collaborate with you till we resolve the issue.

Warm regards,

Hendrix Vu | Microsoft Q&A Support Specialist
Mark Weiss 86 Reputation points

2025-08-20T21:52:14.0933333+00:00

This machine cannot run Windows 11--it lacks a TPM.

The problem is that somehow a Windows update to Windows 10 altered the BIOS in a way that prevents the USB subsystem from working with ANY Windows installation media. That includes disc recovery software, partition recovery software from DiskGenius and Macrium too. I used to be able to use my keyboard when booting any of these discs prior to the Windows update in July.
Hendrix-V 1,430 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-08-21T03:39:58.8433333+00:00
Hi Mark Weiss

Thank you for updating on the issue!

Here are the steps to check and enable TPM on your device if you want to upgrade to windows 11:

1 - Check if TPM is Available and Enabled

Run TPM Management Tool:

Press Windows + R, type tpm.msc, and hit Enter.

If you see “Compatible TPM cannot be found”, it’s either disabled in BIOS or not present.

Ensure the Specification Version is 2.0.

2 - Enable TPM 2.0 in BIOS/UEFI

Restart your PC and enter BIOS/UEFI (keys vary: F2, DEL, ESC, or F10).

Look under Security, Advanced, or Trusted Computing sections.

Enable: TPM, PTT (Intel), or fTPM (AMD).

Set to Enabled or Active.

Save changes and reboot.

I look forward to receiving your update and I'm willing to collaborate with you till we resolve the issue. Please keep me informed.

Best regards,

Hendrix Vu | Microsoft Q&A Support Specialist
Mark Weiss 86 Reputation points

2025-08-21T14:39:31.88+00:00

This is a server motherboard from Supermicro, the X10DRi. I built this workstation with it in 2015, so it predates TPM by a margin.

At any rate, even if it were compatible with Win 11, I would never install it, because the task bar is locked to the bottom horizontal edge of the screen, taking of valuable screen real estate and making Wacom tablet users cause wrist strain to reach the bottom with a stylus. I have my Win 10 task bar on vertical left edge of screen, where I've had it since Windows NT.
Hendrix-V 1,430 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-08-22T11:12:49.3966667+00:00
Hi Mark Weiss,

This is Hendrix from Q&A Community Support team.

I'm sorry that the issue persists, please try repair install for Windows 10 since you are not upgrading to Windows 11

Steps for a Repair Install (In-Place Upgrade):

Download the Windows 10 ISO (Create Windows 10 installation media)

Run the setup and choose Keep personal files and apps.

Please keep me inform, I'm willing to collaborate with you till we resolve the issue.

Warm regards,

Hendrix Vu | Microsoft Q&A Support Specialist
Mark Weiss 86 Reputation points

2025-08-22T14:07:28.6366667+00:00

I already did a repair install to get the system running again. However, I still can't restore, in the event I have another Windows update that trashes the system again, because the keyboard no longer works in WinPE environments. This true for both the recovery and third party boot media with disc image backup software. Whenever WinPE loads, the keyboard shuts off.
Hendrix-V 1,430 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-08-25T04:46:26.67+00:00

Hi Mark Weiss,

If the issue stems from an update, please consider uninstalling the update or rolling back to a previous version then pause updates temporarily.

Please keep me inform, I'm willing to collaborate with you till we resolve the issue.

Warm regards,

Hendrix Vu | Microsoft Q&A Support Specialist
Mark Weiss 86 Reputation points

2025-08-25T15:43:12.0033333+00:00

I've tried to reinstall Windows and even booting from a separate media like a DVD ROM, I can't use my keyboard anymore. It seems that last update did irreparable damage to my system BIOS.

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Windows 10 Won't Restore Because Keyboard Shuts Off

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