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Few of my keys do not work

234 Views 10 Replies 4 Participants Last post by MPR, 5 mo ago

RayoSombrio

Discussion Starter · 6 mo ago

Hello. I have an issue where my following keys (E, D, 3) will only work if I'm holding down another key.

So for example, in order to type anything, including all of what I'm typing right now containing any of those three keys in the parentheses above, I have to hold down another key so i can type, in this case I hold down (SHIFT) and leave caps lock on.

It doesn't matter what key I hold down, It can be PgDwn, Home, End, the freaking plus symbol, as long as I'm holding SOMETHING down, then they will work.

This makes it exceptionally difficult to play video games or write reports for work, holding down the shift key is a work-around but I really dont want to be doing this forever. The last time I encountered this was maybe 4 months ago but it went away on its own, I have no idea what I did to fix it back then, but now this bug has returned and its driving me crazy

I haven't been able to find a real fix for it, I dont want to buy a external keyboard as its going to be severely uncomfortable. Every fix I find online, such as restarting my laptop or taking out the battery or updating my drivers doesn't work.

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MPR

· #2 · 6 mo ago (Edited)

Do you have a non-English language pack? With some language packs and keyboards you type a key followed by another to modify it. For example, '+e = é.
Do you have an embedded number pad toggled on?
Are some of the keyboard "accessibility" options turned on?
Did you spill something on your keyboard?
Do your keys "crunch" when you press on them?
Does an external keyboard have the same issue?
Remove and re-install your keyboard and trackpad drivers.
You may have a bad keyboard.

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Macboatmaster

· #3 · 6 mo ago

RayoSombrio said:
I haven't been able to find a real fix for it, I dont want to buy a external keyboard as its going to be severely uncomfortable.

In view of the fact that you have tried restarting, updating drivers, etc - may suggest it is the keyboard itself
I know you say you do not wish to buy an external keyboard - I suggest you borrow one for testing purposes

see if they work OK on on screen keyboard
Ease of access of lock screen presuming you are using Windows 10
While on the sign-in screen, click/tap on the Ease of Access button in the lower-right corner.

2 Click/tap on On-Screen Keyboard.

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Digerati

· #4 · 6 mo ago

RayoSombrio said:
I dont want to buy a external keyboard as its going to be severely uncomfortable.

I have never ever heard anyone ever say an external keyboard would be uncomfortable, let alone "severely" uncomfortable compared to a cramped, wrist-crunching, fixed in place laptop keyboard.

Considering how many different shapes and sizes there are of standard PC keyboards, it is obvious you've have very limited experience with them. That is not a criticism, just an observation.

I agree with Macboatmaster - you need to borrow or buy a cheap keyboard to see if the problem happens there too. If it does, it likely is a software issue. If the external keyboard works fine, your laptop keyboard is the problem and may need to be replaced.

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RayoSombrio

Discussion Starter · #5 · 5 mo ago

Digerati said:
I have never ever heard anyone ever say an external keyboard would be uncomfortable, let alone "severely" uncomfortable compared to a cramped, wrist-crunching, fixed in place laptop keyboard.

Considering how many different shapes and sizes there are of standard PC keyboards, it is obvious you've have very limited experience with them. That is not a criticism, just an observation.

I agree with Macboatmaster - you need to borrow or buy a cheap keyboard to see if the problem happens there too. If it does, it likely is a software issue. If the external keyboard works fine, your laptop keyboard is the problem and may need to be replaced.

Its because the desk I have doesnt have enough room for an external keyboard. Ive used laptops without an external keyboard for a decade, ive more than likely grown used to it as a laptop keyboard never has bothered me.

ill grab one either way and see whats going on

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Digerati

· #6 · 5 mo ago

If a laptop keyboard works for you, great! It is not my place to say a desktop keyboard would be better for you.

I am just noting you illustrate why don't like them. While I have a large computer desk, it has a keyboard tray with limited space. So, the problem for me, besides the cramping RSI issues with my wrists, is the laptop keyboard is connected to the laptop monitor. So, except for foreword and back tilt, if I want to elevate the monitor (to save wear and tear and pain) on my neck, or move (swivel) the monitor to the side, my keyboard goes with it. Not convenient at all - for me.

So for me, having the computer down on the floor, and a standard keyboard and mouse on my keyboard tray, this allows me to have a full size monitor sitting out in front of me, instead of down by my keyboard.

The same benefits can happen (if there is space) when the laptop sitting off to the side, connected to an external monitor, keyboard and mouse.

Anyway, back to your issue, you might want to see if the On-screen (OSK) or Touch Keyboards do the same thing. If they do, that would rule out a mechanical issue with your laptop's keyboard.

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Macboatmaster

· #7 · 5 mo ago

I posted on post 3

Macboatmaster said:
see if they work OK on on screen keyboard
Ease of access of lock screen presuming you are using Windows 10
While on the sign-in screen, click/tap on the Ease of Access button in the lower-right corner.

2 Click/tap on On-Screen Keyboard.

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Digerati

· #8 · 5 mo ago

Sorry. Senior moment.

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Macboatmaster

· #9 · 5 mo ago (Edited)

Digerati said:
Sorry. Senior moment.

Bill
We all have them
Increasingly as we reach our age.

Best wishes for Xmas and 2023.

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RayoSombrio

Discussion Starter · #10 · 5 mo ago

Macboatmaster said:
In view of the fact that you have tried restarting, updating drivers, etc - may suggest it is the keyboard itself
I know you say you do not wish to buy an external keyboard - I suggest you borrow one for testing purposes

see if they work OK on on screen keyboard
Ease of access of lock screen presuming you are using Windows 10
While on the sign-in screen, click/tap on the Ease of Access button in the lower-right corner.

2 Click/tap on On-Screen Keyboard.

Oddly enough... none of my letter keys work doing this on the on screen keyboard, just the keys such as tab, shift, caps lock, ctrl etc. etc.

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MPR

· #11 · 5 mo ago

Macboatmaster said:
We all have them Increasingly as we reach our age.
Best wishes for Xmas and 2023.

I can't even remember how old I am... let me ask one of my great nieces... she said her mom told her to tell me that I'm weird. I'm not sure that's entirely an age thing though. Her mom's been telling me that since she was three -- thirty years ago. I'm pretty sure that she thinks of me as the "Uncle Fester" among her uncles.

When I was teaching, I'd just bring my laptop from home and plug it into the keyboard and monitor in my office because my laptop was much better than the antiquated computers supplied by the college, not to mention that I had everything set up on it like I liked. I also took the laptop to my lectures and hooked it up to the projector for presentations. I had a full-sized keyboard, gaming monitor, and gaming mouse to use with it at home too.

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