Occasional issue with windows key & middle click scroll [Windows 11]

Jms87,

Yes — it turned out to be an issue caused by my Audio Technica AT2020 microphone. If you have any external devices, unplug them and test if the issue persists.

Hi,

I am currently experiencing the same issue. Windows key does not open start menu, middle click scroll does not work, and other software annoyances. Restarting fixes it, but only until the next day.

I performed a clean install of Windows 11 and still experience the issue, with nothing installed aside from a NVIDIA graphics driver.

Did you ever find a solution? I am beginning to wonder if it has anything to do with how the user account was set up upon install. When installing Windows, did you bypass the network requirement, set the language to English (World), or refuse to sign in to Microsoft by using a local user account?

Hello

You can create a new local account by following the steps below and switch to the newly created account to see if the function is normal. Because this cannot be ruled out due to the wrong configuration. Visit****Create a local user or administrator account in Windows - Microsoft Support****for more details.

1. Create a local user account
2. Select Start> Settings> Accountsand then select Family & other users. (In some versions of Windows you'll see Other users.)
3. Next to Add other user, select Add account.
4. Select I don't have this person's sign-in information, and on the next page, select Add a user without a Microsoft account.
5. Enter a username, password, or password hint—or choose security questions—and then select Next.
6. Change a local user account to an administrator account
7. Select Start > Settings>Accounts.
8. Under Family & other users, select the account owner name (you should see "Local account" below the name), then select Change account type.
9. **Note:**If you choose an account that shows an email address or doesn't say "Local account", then you're giving administrator permissions to a Microsoft account, not a local account.
10. Under Account type, select Administrator, and then select OK.
11. Sign in with the new administrator account.

Note: If the new account is normal, please do not delete the old account before backing up the data of the old account to avoid any data loss.

Note: If the new account can install the feature normally, and you want to use the new account, then you need to understand that the user data in the old account (under the C:\user<your user name> directory) will not be synchronized To the new account, you can only restore the data as much as possible by copying all the data (files, folders) under the old account to the new user folder and replacing the files/folders under new user account, then there is no guarantee of 100% success, including your User data from some Windows apps and all third-party apps in the old account won't sync. So please proceed with caution.

We look forward to hearing back from you.

Best Regards

Patch - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

So, I have tried a handful of these suggestions to no avail (I did not try 2 or 10, and ASUS's hardware diagnostics weren't in the program they were supposed to be for some reason...). I did however find a possible cause to at least some of these issues. I opened http://keyboardtester.com/keyboardtester and when I have the click sound enabled, it is basically a constant stream of clicks due to inputs being registered. On the other hand, none of the displayed keys show as being pressed, and nothing goes into the chat box on the web page when it is selected.

I tried to unplug my keyboard to see if that was the problem, but the input clicks persisted. As far as I can tell, windows is registering some sort of input, but not from my keyboard. (my friend tested to see if holding a random keyboard button would cause some of my other problems, and it seemed to "replicate" some issues I am having. We are also theorizing that VAC might think I have an auto-clicker/macro enabled or something and that is causing the VAC game session problem.

After restarting my PC, the input-clicks on the keyboard tester went away, which reinforces that it is a root problem.

I'm going to try and replicate the problem with different peripherals in the next few days when I have time, but are there any other software things I might be able to check when it inevitably pops back up in a few days?

Hello KogaTM87

Welcome to the Microsoft Community.

The issues you're facing with your Windows 11 PC seem to be quite multifaceted, affecting not just input devices but also system performance and specific applications like Steam. Here are several steps and checks you can perform to further diagnose and potentially resolve these problems:

1. Update GPU Drivers: Since you mentioned your GPU drivers might not be up to date, this is a crucial step. Outdated or corrupt GPU drivers can cause a variety of issues. Download the latest drivers from the manufacturer's website (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel).
2. Check Startup Programs and Services: Some software or services running at startup could be interfering with your system's operation. Use the Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and the msconfig command (in the Run dialog, Win+R) to check and disable unnecessary startup programs and services.
3. Perform a Clean Boot: This process starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. It can help you determine if background programs are causing the issue. Search for "System Configuration" in Windows and use it to perform a clean boot.
4. Check for Hardware Conflicts: Open Device Manager and look for any warning icons indicating a conflict or issue with your hardware. This could highlight a problem with your keyboard, mouse, or any other peripheral that might be causing the issue.
5. System File Checker (SFC) and DISM: Although you've run SFC, running it again alongside DISM (Deployment Image Service and Management Tool) can help repair potentially corrupted system files. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run sfc /scannow followed by DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth.
6. Check Event Viewer: The Event Viewer can provide insights into system and application errors that occur, especially at boot or during the issues you're facing. Look for critical errors or warnings that coincide with the times you've experienced these problems.
7. Steam and VAC Issue: For the Steam VAC issue, ensure Steam is fully updated, and try verifying the integrity of game files for Counter-Strike. Also, ensure any game mods or third-party software that might interfere with VAC are disabled.
8. Power Settings: Check your power settings in Control Panel to ensure they're set for optimal performance, especially if you're on a laptop. Sometimes power-saving features can interfere with system performance.
9. Hardware Diagnostics: Consider running hardware diagnostics to check the health of your system's components. Many motherboard manufacturers offer built-in diagnostics, and you can also use third-party tools.
10. Peripheral and USB Device Check: Disconnect all non-essential peripherals and USB devices to see if one of them might be causing the issue. This includes printers, external drives, and additional input devices.
11. Check for BIOS/UEFI Updates: Sometimes, updating the BIOS/UEFI can resolve compatibility and performance issues. Check your motherboard manufacturer's website for updates, but proceed with caution and follow their instructions carefully. Disclaimer: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate and safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

If there is anything not clear or I can't understand your problem, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Best Regards

Patch - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist