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Keyboard Shortcut Preventing Typing?

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Rockaholic

Rockaholic

PCHF Member
Apr 4, 2024
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#1
Hi, I believe that I accidentally hit a keyboard shortcut that is preventing me from typing and I can't figure out how to fix it. Whenever I try to type in Firefox or Chrome, it doesn't do anything. I have even tried using the on-screen overlay keyboard and that doesn't work either.

When I press the 'D' key, it automatically selects the address bar of the browser. Most of the other keys make the browser quickly display the menu bar and then instantly hides it again. Also, it prevents me from even typing in my PIN code to log into my user account (I'm logged in now, but not sure what enabled me to type my pin code. After logging in, it immediately went back to not allowing me to type).

I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling my keyboard drivers, but that didn't fix it.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
 
#3
I use a wireless keyboard. I've also tried the one that's connected to my laptop. That's not the problem. When I mouse click the overlay keyboard, it letters/numbers click in, but it's not displayed on Google and stuff.
 
#4
Alt+D is the Firefox keyboard shortcut to take you to the Address Bar, so I was thinking you had a sticky Alt key, but the use of another keyboard and the OSK proves that isn't the case.

Hit the Shift key 5 times to make sure Sticky Keys is turned off.

Otherwise, since this only happens in Firefox and Chrome, do they both have the same extension installed? Try disabling all extensions and seeing if that helps.

Firefox for example has a Safe Mode. Click the hamburger icon (top right), then Help > Troubleshoot Mode.
That will temporarily disable add-ons and other settings, see if the issue still happens then.
 
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#5
It's working correctly now. I'm thinking that maybe my alt key on my laptop was sticking, so even though I was using an external keyboard, it was acting like I was pressing alt for everything. I'll let you know later if the problem persists or not.

I do use an external keyboard due to spilling a drink on my laptop which created sticky keys, but that was almost a year ago, so I wouldn't think that some keys are just now starting to stick.
 
#6
Maybe they aren't sticking per say, but the spill has shorted out the pins and the PC know registers the key as being press, maybe at the slightest vibration.

If the drink spilled had sugars in it, and if it wasn't water, it would have had, than I reckon you are now seeing the long term side effects. You're lucky the laptop is still working - or if the spill did go past the keyboard into the components, maybe you have a little surprise awaiting you down the track! :)
 
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