Keyboard stuck in command mode

Question

Hello. Earlier I tried to start the task manager and pressed control alt delete a lot because the task manager wasn't starting. Now my keyboard on my laptop is stuck in shortcut mode. Everytime I press a key it goes to the shortcut and I can't type at all. I've tried the Windows key and pressing both shift keys at the same time and that does not fix it. I've tried to turn off sticky keys but they do not appear to be turned on. I've restarted my computer several times and for some reason when I start it opens in narrator mode. But when I try to turn narrator off it's not on. Please help, I don't know what to do. Even the on-screen keyboard is now stuck in the same command shortcut mode. There has got to be a simple fix. Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

I can imagine the inconvenience you are experiencing and will certainly help you in the right direction to fix the issue. However, I would appreciate if you could answer a few questions to narrow down the issue in order to provide you with better assistance.

1. Has the issue started to occur recently? If so, did you make any significant changes to the computer prior to this issue?
2. Are you facing similar issues with other keyboard shortcuts as well?

I'd be happy to provide you with better assistance having gained the above asked information. In the meanwhile, I would recommend following the below provided diagnostic steps to troubleshoot and narrow down the root cause.

Method 1:

Try to boot the system in safe mode and check if the issue is reproduced. If not, then clean boot the computer and check if it helps.

Step 1:

Safe mode is a diagnostic mode in which you are logged in with only necessary minimal services and drivers enabled. Check if the issue is reproduced.

Refer to the following steps:

1. Click on the Power button on the login screen.
2. Press and hold the SHIFT key on keyboard and simultaneously click on Restart option.
3. Once your PC restarts, on the Choose an option screen, tap or click Troubleshoot.

If you don't see the Startup Settings option, tap or click Advanced options. 4. Tap or click Startup Settings. 5. Tap or click Restart. 6. On the Startup Settings screen, choose the startup setting for Safe Mode with Networking (Generally F5 key is pressed to select this setting). 7. Sign in to your PC with a user account that has administrator rights.

Check if the issue persists in Safe Mode.

If the issue does not reproduce in Safe Mode, then try to clean boot the system and check if the issue persists.

Step 2:

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

***How to perform a clean boot in Windows***

If the issue does not occur in clean boot, then you may determine which application/service on the computer is causing this issue. This can be done by following the instructions for “Windows 8.1 and Windows 8” given in the section “How to determine what is causing the problem by performing a clean boot” from the same given link.

Note: Refer "How to reset the computer to start normally after clean boot troubleshooting" to reset the computer to start as normal after troubleshooting.

Hope this helps.