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Some keys only work when pressed in combination with Fn key

Anonymous
2019-04-14T14:59:35+00:00

Hello everyone,

I have a strange issue with my keyboard and I can't seem to find other posts about it.

When I press specific keys (L, down arrow, 9 on numpad), they sometimes are not recognized.

For minutes at a time, I cannot press them on their own (issue is present in Office products, Chrome, games, etc.). Then, they seem to unlock and I can type them when I press long enough or when I press multiple times. Then, for a limited time, the keys act a 100% normally (though sometimes I have to press longer). A few minutes later, they are "locked" again.

A weird thing is that when a key is "locked", I can still type it by pressing Fn key + the key I want, but nothing appears when I press them on their own. For the down arrow, the normal Fn + down arrow behavior is triggered (lower brightness), but I cannot scroll/change lines when I press it alone.

I tried cleaning it with compressed air, removing the keycap to see what's underneath, using different key combinations to disable settings like Fn lock ( for example, Fn + num lock), rebooting, uninstalling keyboard driver and rebooting. All special settings for keyboards are disabled.

Other questions mentioning a similar issue talk about Fn Lock, Sticky Keys or damaged keys but that doesn't seem to be the issue because none of those settings are enabled and the keys are still recognized in some circumstances.

Thanks!

Thomas A.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Devices and drivers

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2019-04-14T16:34:04+00:00

    Hi Thomas

    Please try the following . .

    Open the Settings App

    Go to Update & Security - Troubleshoot

    Run the Keyboard troubleshooter

    If that does not resolve this for you

    Open Device Manager

    Expand the Keyboards section

    Right click your keyboard and choose 'Uninstall'

    Then restart your PC

    If the above does not resolve this issue, and seeing as that does not happen on your other keyboard, it maybe time to replace your keyboard, because this is then most likely a hardware issue . . .

    Thanks for your advice!

    The keyboard troubleshooter didn't find anything.

    I tried uninstalling the device and restarting and it didn't work.

    However, I plugged a USB keyboard and the issue did not happen.

    And when I unplugged the keyboard, the issue didn't reappear with my laptop keyboard.

    Plugging/unplugging an external keyboard might have fixed/reset something with my settings. I hope it will last!

    8 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. DaveM121 871.3K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2019-04-14T16:13:20+00:00

    Hi Thomas

    Please try the following . .

    Open the Settings App

    Go to Update & Security - Troubleshoot

    Run the Keyboard troubleshooter

    If that does not resolve this for you

    Open Device Manager

    Expand the Keyboards section

    Right click your keyboard and choose 'Uninstall'

    Then restart your PC

    If the above does not resolve this issue, and seeing as that does not happen on your other keyboard, it maybe time to replace your keyboard, because this is then most likely a hardware issue . . .

    8 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2019-04-14T15:26:35+00:00

    If you have uninstalled the keyboard driver and rebooted to let it reinstall then it could be physical failure of the keyboard.

    What make and model of the device. Are you able to use another keyboard to try out the keys.

    Keyboard is SteelSeries GL72 for my MSI computer.

    I connected a Mac USB keyboard and the issue does not happen (keys are pressed normally).

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  4. Neil D 32,835 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2019-04-14T15:07:05+00:00

    If you have uninstalled the keyboard driver and rebooted to let it reinstall then it could be physical failure of the keyboard.

    What make and model of the device. Are you able to use another keyboard to try out the keys.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments