C,H,V keys fail due to Windows IME.

Question

Windows IME breaks C,H,V keys

It can happen in any application.

Setup:

I am running windows 7 pro, have chrome, firefox, ie installed any fully updated. I've read reports of it happening in vista~8. I do have remote hotkey installed, but shutting it off doesn't change symptoms. I have an IME installed and Japanese set as the default language, with the Microsoft IME keyboard normally in English mode.

Problem: The keys 'c,h,v' stop working in a particular application. That is to say, they are being read but the operation system is not sending the proper key command. It is NOT a physical keyboard issues. Not only can you still use the keys in combinations and C,H,V (capitals) perfectly well. But the onscreen keyboard in windows also cannot press c,h,v. Closing and opening the application again fixes the issue for that particular application.

Reproducible: With a japanese language IME set to the primary language, english as secondary. Open notepad, type something in english. Then press the windows key and go back to your window. Try to type c,h,v. It is broken. You can no longer use those 3 keys unless you reset the application.

Explanation: Windows is improperly getting confused as to what mode it is in, English or Japanese. This is evident when you press the 'c' button. It puts you into reconversion mode! which normally is what happens while you are typing in Japanese and press 'c' (It is a hotkey since there is no use for a 'c' character in japanese). h and v do nothing as far as I know. Somehow, this ends up locking those keys and they can't be used again.

Solution: Harass MS or reset the application/computer.

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/office/forum/office\_2007-word/unable-to-type-certain-letters-in-word/a7977beb-b10f-419e-9161-34197348785e

http://code.google.com/p/chromium/issues/detail?can=2&start=0&num=100&q=&colspec=ID%20Pri%20Mstone%20ReleaseBlock%20Area%20Feature%20Status%20Owner%20Summary&groupby=&sort=&id=100251

http://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/775701

http://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/875440

http://jamesisin.com/a\_high-tech\_blech/index.php/2008/03/keyboard-input-ignored-for-c-h-t-and-v-keys-in-specific-applications-only/

http://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/chrome/GBuxA5fbFMQ

I'd appreciate it if this got forwarded to a dev that can fix this. Also, if they want to work with me as a tester in case this issue cannot be reproduced, I am willing to do that as well. Contact me here or through ******@acastellani.com

Answer 1

Hi Angelo_Cast,

Method –

I would recommend you to perform Clean Boot.

Putting your system in Clean Boot state helps in identifying if any third party applications or startup itemsare causing the issue. You need to follow the steps from the article mentioned below to perform a Clean Boot-

How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

Note: You need to follow Step 7 from the article mentioned above to get the computer back to Normal Startup after you follow all the troubleshooting steps.

Now try to use the keys. Check if the issue persists.

Additionally, you may refer the steps from the article mentioned below for further assistance-

Mouse, touchpad, and keyboard problems in Windows

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/help/mouse-touchpad-and-keyboard-problems-in-windows

Note: The steps mentioned under “Check Hardware” from the article mentioned above are to be performed at your own risk.

If none of the steps help fix your issue then, you need to contact the computers manufacturer.

Hope this helps!!

Answer 2

so, more than 3 years later and thousands of people still have this issue, and your answer is to reboot and/or check your hardware?  really?  Wow, what a lame answer. Obviously you didn't read the question or the responses.

Typical of windows to create an issue and ignore it.  What if it was a medical application or airline routing application or application to run wall street - hmmm.... recent crashes to systems..... hmmm. 

So, you hope it helps, well, sorry, it doesn't.  If you can't help, please forward to someone who can. 

Thanks so much.

Answer 3

Just hold down the Fn and Windows keys together. Problem solved :)

Answer 4

SOLUTION!!!   - PRESS THE FUNCTION KEY AND THE WINDOWS KEY AT THE SAME TIME

...I can't take credit. PruthviShetty posted this and it solved my problem. I'm just reposting it in caps to make sure everyone sees it. These keys (Fn and the one with the 4 white squares) are right next to each other and it is easy to accidentally press them at the same time (I did it while trying to clean up a little spill).   ...it is kinda like when you accidentally hit the 'Num Lock' key.

Edit: if that doesn't work, then try pressing the windows key twice in a row. I saw this solution in another forum and tried both methods and I'm not sure which one actually did the trick.

Also, when this or a similar problem (keys don't do what they normally do when you press them) happens, it may well be that you turned on some 'sticky key' accidentally (like while cleaning your keyboard). To undo it you have to press the same combination of keys again. So searching online for what combination of keys may have caused your specific problem will likely find you the solution (try including 'sticky keys' in your search).

Answer 5

I have encountered this as well: twice in one day.

My IME settings have English as the primary language and Chinese as a secondary. Unlike the Japanese IME example, c h v are all valid characters in the Pinyin input method. However, I still observe the same behavior as documented many times across the internet: only lowercase cvh keys are not working. Pressing the shift key plus these letters works, turning on Caps Lock and pressing the shift key works, Alt and Ctrl combinations work.

I am still looking for the exact sequence of keys to press to enter this state, however, the two times I have encountered it already was when I was rapid typing and pressing a large number of control keys.

My only successful way to leave this state is to either close the application or double tap the right Windows key.