Erratic key function

Question

ystem: ASUS LAPTOP VIVOBOOK E203, WINDOWS 11 23H2.

For a week or so, have had trouble with erratic, on / off, from one minute to the next, key function.

This happens with only a few keys, and quite consistently, the same ones.

At times, the key registration will lag, and keeping the key pressed will work.

Mostly, it seems, the keys don't work at all.

The issue always concerns the same keys: alt, C, S, D, B, AND BLANK.

From quite a bit of surfing, it looks like many users have encountered this issue.

I have tried the commonly suggested remedies, to no avail.

Below, I list what I've tried.

It seems to me that while quite prevalent, the problem is not understood or resolved.

I haven't seen anything in the way of a satisfactory, definite solution.

Since the issue is intermittent, I don't think it is caused by the hardware.

It's not a repeat rate, or some other keyboard settings issue, as often, no registration occurs at all, no matter how long a key is pressed.

On-screen keyboard works, but obviously a hassle and brings down work rate to a crawl.

Verified that the filter keys setting was disabled.

What hasn't worked so far:

Updating and reinstalling keyboard driver.

Running keyboard troubleshooter

Running sfc /scannow

Since it's hot these days, and since the issue is intermittent, wondered if system overheating was at cause.

Coulnd't see anything suspicious in the hardware monitor data, but don't really understand this.

Answer 1

Hi Haim,

Thanks for the update. Since even a full reset didn’t help, you’re right it strongly suggests the issue may not be with Windows itself. At this point, it could be hardware-related like keyboard controller, internal connections, or even motherboard-level input handling. To rule that out, you might want to test with an external keyboard and see if the same keys misbehave. If the external one works fine, then it’s almost certainly hardware on the laptop. I'm sorry after trying so much sometimes the clearest answer only comes once software is ruled out completely.

Warm regards,

Cherrelyn

Answer 2

Update and solution: finally, managed to fix the issue by fine-tuning the keyboard properties: repeat delay and repeat rate.

This is often suggested among possible solutions to the issue, but I discounted it initially.

So, relief, but.

It's strange that I can only certain repeat delay and repeat rate settings in order to avoid keyboard issues.

Something more basic is at root here, to engineers attention.

Answer 3

Yes, I see your point, Cherrelyn.

No external kbrd at hand.

Will look for one, and get back to you on that.

It's still mystifying, given the intermittent nature of the issue, to think it's hardware-related.

On the other hand, the issue always involving the same keys argues in favour of a hardware cause, it seems.

The reset is a bit of a pain, but not a big deal, really. And was necessary - though didn't fix things, did shed some light.

Peraps the prevalence of the issue on the net, without a 'solution' also points to hardware, as people tend to assume the solution is some software tweak.

Finally, I wonder. Does the proper functioning of the on-screen keyboard also suggest a hardware issue. My guess would be it goes through the same channels as the physical keyboard, namely the same internal software, but bypasses the first, physical, perhaps malfunctioning, phsical key....

Thank you again, Cherrelyn, for your attentive, expert help.

Answer 4

No cigar.

Went ahead and did a PC reset.

Seemed like a useful answer, though not a real solution, rather a bypass.

Amazingly, the problem persists even followig a PC reset.

I'm at a loss.

The machine's usefulness for me at its current state is close to zero.

As I said, though the problem is quite prevalent, I haven't seen any real solution.

I was quite sure the PC reset would work.

What could it mean?

That it's not the software, after all?!

I'm confused.

And PCless.

Thank you kindly. Cherrelyn, for the attention and the suggestion.

Answer 5

Hi there,

I'm Cherrelyn and I'm here to help.

Since the issue is intermittent and only affects specific keys, it could be a Windows-level input problem rather than hardware. You’ve already tried drivers, troubleshooter, and sfc /scannow, which rules out common corruption. A Microsoft-supported next step is to use Windows 11’s “Reset this PC” feature via Settings - System - Recovery - Reset this PC, choosing to keep your files. This reinstalls Windows and can resolve stubborn keyboard input issues without needing external tools.

I hope this will help and if you have any question please feel free to ask.

Warm regards,

Cherrelyn