Backslash Key Won't Work Regularly, but Works With Other Key Combos

Question

Backslash Key Won't Work Regularly, but Works With Other Key Combos

Anonymous

As of a few hours ago, my backslash \ won't work/type on its own when pressing that solely. If I use Win + , it types the backslash like normal. Using Shift + \ will type the | normally. It's clearly not a keyboard issue considering this was working earlier today, and restarting the PC and unplugging the keyboard does not fix the issue. Any ideas?

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5 answers

Answer 1

Hi Bryant, my name is Neil, and I'm a Windows 10 user like you.

Sorry you're experiencing this keyboard issue.

The only thing that makes sense to me for what this could be is that your physical keyboard is UK layout and you have your keyboard set to US layout? A US keyboard does not have a backslash key. They normally access this by pressing the right Alt key (Alt GR) and the key with the hash symbol (#) on it.

You need to check what your keyboard layout is set to in your Windows Settings. To do this, using your keyboard, press the Windows Key + i to open Settings

Select "Time and language".

Click "Region and language".

Click the language you use.

Click Options.

Check what keyboards you have installed. I would remove any US keyboard layouts and any other keyboards you don't use.

After doing this, try your backslash key again. You may need to reboot for changes to fully take effect.

Let me know how you get on.

Kindest regards,

Neil

Answer 2

Hi,

Thanks for that. I'm just looking into this for you.

In the meantime: Please note, I did not say Windows + Spacebar + \ This is incorrect.

The [Windows Key] + [Spacebar] switches your keyboard input between languages. After doing this, then try your backslash key on your keyboard and see if it works.

See the pic below to see if you have any different language inputs for your keyboard and then let me know.

Having the wrong language input for your keyboard...for instance your keyboard is US based so using a UK input could cause problems like you're experiencing, then pressing the Windows Key + Spacebar (or clicking on the Input Language button near your clock and selecting the US input) and switching input languages could fix your issue.

Let me know if this works.

Kindest regards,

Neil

Answer 3

Hi,

Your picture of your keyboard is a little too small for me to see what it is. What is the make and model of it please?

Can you just try this for me too please. Using your keyboard, press the Windows Key + Spacebar together and then let go and then try typing your \ backslash and see if this works?

Let me know.

Kindest regards,

Neil

Answer 4

Unfortunately, this takes a large step backwards from what I'm looking for. My keyboard is United States based, with the backslash next to my backspace button, tilde to the left of the 1 key, so on so forth. Attached is an image of my keyboard to better explain what keyboard I'm working with. The button does not type the character on its own anymore as of yesterday, but using Windows button + \ works and Shift + \ creates the |, which ultimately makes no sense.

Answer 5

Anonymous

My keyboard is a Cougar, Deathfire EX with RGB coloring. Also, Pressing Windows + Spacebar + \ did not work properly. I still can't type \ without a combo

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Backslash Key Won't Work Regularly, but Works With Other Key Combos

5 answers