XPS 8500, USB keyboard does not work after boots into UEFI BIOS

Question

From Windows 11 I reboot to Recovery Mode and then choose to reboot into the UEFI interface. This is standard and works as designed.

I cannot get my Dell USB keyboard to work so i can navigate the BIOS menu. Therefore I can't modify the BIOS.

HOWEVER once, earlier today, after booting into the BIOS screen and having no keyboard input, I went to the back of the computer and unplugged and then re-plugged the USB keyboard into the back of the computer, and it worked. I made a change (that I now need to reverse) and all was well.

NOW, no matter what I do with the same sequences and prior actions, i can't get the USB keyboard to talk to the BIOS interface. I need to reset the wake-on-lan setting to off.

How can I force the Megatrend motherboard to recognize the USB Keyboard upon booting into the BIOS interface?

RoHe · Answer

Is this a wired or wireless USB keyboard?

Is it plugged into a rear USB2 port on PC?

Can you try a different USB keyboard, preferably a wired one?

Have you tried using the tab key to navigate around in BIOS setup?

When was last time you replaced the motherboard battery? A weak/dead battery can cause all kinds of odd symptoms. If nothing else, you'll rule out a bad battery with a fresh one.

Power PC off, unplug power cord from rear of PC
Press/hold power button for ~15 sec
Open case and remove motherboard battery (check Service Manual for details)
Press/hold power button for ~30 sec
Install fresh CR2032 3-volt coin cell battery
Close up and connect mouse, monitor and keyboard
Reboot, open BIOS setup and see if keyboard works now

By following those steps, you'll reset BIOS back to all its default settings including to Legacy Mode and disabling Wake by LAN. Assuming keyboard works in BIOS setup now, make all the necessary changes, including setting it to UEFI mode again. Save the changes and exit setup. PC should boot automatically to desktop....

randyXPS10 · Answer

@RoHe​ Used Dell USB keyboard attached to USB 2.0 in back. *Almost* consistent failure to engage with the keyboard except once on unplugging and replugging in the USB connector and it worked with the arrow keys.  I have ordered a 2 pack of CR2023 batteries. QUESTION: Can you please point me to an article on resetting the BIOS to UEFI mode.

RoHe · Answer

After you clear BIOS and replace the battery as detailed above, BIOS will be set to Legacy. So just power on, tap F2 to open BIOS setup and change Boot Mode to UEFI (see page 123).

Then just navigate to the exit screen in BIOS setup, save the change to Boot Mode and exit...

XPS Desktops

XPS 8500, USB keyboard does not work after boots into UEFI BIOS

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