Control Key Randomly Locks

Question

I  am  running  Windows 8.1 on a HP P6-2310 desktop.  During the past month, the Control key  has randomly locked with the result that when I type something such as an "r", the computer performs the "Control r" action..

The only  way that I have been able to  cancel the control lock is by restarting the computer. So far  I have found no combination of keystrokes to undo  do this  via the keyboard. The behavior  cannot be cancelled by doing anything with "sticky  keys."

My  first question is "what could be causing this  in the first place?"  The second question is "has anybody else  seen this problem?"  Finally, are there are any high probability  actions that I  can take to undo this short  of restarting the computer?"

Thanks

Moved from Vista Personalization and Ease of Access Forum.

Answer 1

The only  way that I have been able to  cancel the control lock is by restarting the computer.

Usually just tapping the opposite Ctrl- key to the one that is stuck fixes it.   You can see this in the On-Screen Keyboard (osk.exe).

Answer 2

Thanks for the suggestions.

I have run the  troubleshooting and the  keyboard comes up as healthy. There are no HP  up dates  available for  the keyboard.

After looking  at anything that has been posted anywhere  on the subject, I settled  on going  to the on screen  keyboard and locking the left  hand CTRL key there whenever I get the  annoying behavior. As soon as I go  back  to the  regular keyboard, everything is normal. I have then gone  back to the OSKB, and  the CTRL key is not locked.

Now that I know that doing something with the LH CTRL on screen  key is beneficial, I  will try the same key on the regular keyboard the next  time I have the problem. However, I have the recollection that I  tried  this previously and did not accomplish anything.

Once again, thanks for the suggestions.

Answer 3

Hi,

This issue usually occur when there is no updated drivers for the hardware. I would suggest you to try the following methods and check if it works for you.

Method 1:

Run the Hardware Devices troubleshooter and check if the issue persists.

Follow the steps to run the troubleshooter:

a.       Press Windows key + C on your keyboard to show the Charms bar.

b.      Type Troubleshooting and click Troubleshooting under Settings.

c.       Now type Hardware Troubleshooter in the search option.

d.      Click on Hardware and Devices troubleshooter to run the troubleshooter.

Method 2:

Try installing the updated keyboard drivers from HP website or from Windows update and check if it helps.

Follow the steps to update the hardware driver:

a.       Press Windows Key + X key and click Device Manager.

b.      Expand ‘Mice and Keyboard’.

c.       Right-click on the Keyboard listed and click on ‘Update Driver Software’.

You may also download and run the updated drivers from HP website:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareCategory?product=5296946&cc=ca&lc=en

Please reply with the status of the issue, so that we could help you better.

Answer 4

i have done more testing on other brands of computers running 8.1 and i can duplicate it on every one. hold the control key down for 7 seconds or more and the control key locks. to get it out of lock is simple. Just hit the control key and it unlocks. i am not sure this is a error or a feature. but it is annoying.

i am not sure why so few people are mentioning this issue. i found it happens a lot when i am using the control key and selecting emails to move in Outlook or files to move and i am holding the key down for a long time.

Answer 5

Thanks for the suggestions.

I have run the  troubleshooting and the  keyboard comes up as healthy. There are no HP  up dates  available for  the keyboard.

After looking  at anything that has been posted anywhere  on the subject, I settled  on going  to the on screen  keyboard and locking the left  hand CTRL key there whenever I get the  annoying behavior. As soon as I go  back  to the  regular keyboard, everything is normal. I have then gone  back to the OSKB, and  the CTRL key is not locked.

Now that I know that doing something with the LH CTRL on screen  key is beneficial, I  will try the same key on the regular keyboard the next  time I have the problem. However, I have the recollection that I  tried  this previously and did not accomplish anything.

Once again, thanks for the suggestions.

i have the same thing happening on a surface pro running 8.1 and i have the new backlite typing keyboard. both the control key and the shift keys will lock if held down long enough. i have tested and had it happen in outlook, windows explorer and i suppose i could try other programs but why bother. i can get out of it by hitting the control or shift key again.

is this some secret feature that MS just did not bother telling us about?