Keyboard Issues

Question

'm experiencing an issue with several keyboard keys and shortcuts not functioning as expected.

Examples include:

• Ctrl + Home does not take me to the beginning of a document. Instead, it produces { }.
• Page Up and Page Down do not scroll through documents. Pressing them opens the Save File window instead.
• The volume control keys on my keyboard are not working.

I haven't tested every keyboard shortcut, but multiple keys appear to be affected.

I've already tried the following:

• Checked that all keyboard drivers are up to date.
• Restarted my computer.
• Confirmed there are no pending driver updates.

Unfortunately, the issue remains unresolved.

Could you please advise on any troubleshooting steps I should take or whether there may be a Windows setting causing these keys to behave incorrectly?

Thank you for your assistance.'m experiencing an issue with several keyboard keys and shortcuts not functioning as expected.

Examples include:

• Ctrl + Home does not take me to the beginning of a document. Instead, it produces { }.
• Page Up and Page Down do not scroll through documents. Pressing them opens the Save File window instead.
• The volume control keys on my keyboard are not working.

I haven't tested every keyboard shortcut, but multiple keys appear to be affected.

I've already tried the following:

• Checked that all keyboard drivers are up to date.
• Restarted my computer.
• Confirmed there are no pending driver updates.

Unfortunately, the issue remains unresolved.

Could you please advise on any troubleshooting steps I should take or whether there may be a Windows setting causing these keys to behave incorrectly?

Thank you for your assistance.

Answer 1

Hi,

Let me know if Safe Mode works.

Please open the Windows Recovery environment using either of the steps below:

On the Lock Screen, Press and hold the Shift key. Then, click the restart button on the lock screen located at the bottom right situated in the Power menu, to open the Windows Recovery options.

If you cannot reach the Lock screen or start your computer, restart your PC two times when the boot screen is shown. If your PC has no restart button, press and hold the Power button until the computer shuts down. Do this twice.

On the third time, windows should open Windows Recovery options automatically."

In the Windows Recovery menu,

Select the Troubleshoot option.

Then, select Advanced Options.

Click Startup Settings as the next step.

Click the Restart button.

Click five or F5 to Start the computer in Safe Mode with Networking.

I’m eager to hear back and work together to find a solution.

Answer 2

Hi,

It might be something related to the Keyboard Layout if it is not a hardware issue.

May I know if you your keyboard layout matches the Keyboard installed in Settings > Time and Language > Installed language > Keyboards?

Answer 3

There are several Windows settings that can change how keyboard keys behave, especially accessibility and input options. Based on the described symptoms, the most relevant areas to check are keyboard accessibility features and input behavior.

Try these steps in order:

1. Check keyboard accessibility settings (Sticky/Filter/Toggle Keys) These features can change how key combinations and repeated keystrokes are handled. For Windows 10:
   1. Select Start > Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard.
   2. Under Use Sticky Keys, Toggle Keys, and Filter Keys, turn the switches off to see if behavior returns to normal.
   3. Also review any options under Change how keyboard shortcuts work and turn them off temporarily for testing.
   For Windows 11:
   1. Select Start > Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard.
   2. Turn off Sticky keys, Toggle keys, and Filter keys.
   These settings can cause repeated keystrokes to be ignored or interpreted differently, which may affect shortcuts and special keys.
2. Verify keyboard layout and language If the keyboard layout does not match the physical keyboard, some keys and combinations can produce unexpected characters.
   1. Select Start > Settings > Time & language > Region & language.
   2. Make sure the input language and keyboard layout match the physical keyboard and the language used as the display language.
   3. If needed, adjust or remove extra layouts so only the correct one remains.
3. Check for special keyboard software or remapping tools If Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center or other keyboard customization tools are installed, they can reassign keys or shortcuts.
   1. Open Start > Settings > Devices > Mouse and review any customizations.
   2. If Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center is installed, open it and check whether Page Up, Page Down, Ctrl+Home, or volume keys have been reassigned to other functions (such as opening Save dialogs or inserting characters).
   3. Reset any custom assignments to default and test again.
4. Test with an on-screen or external keyboard This helps determine whether the issue is hardware or software:
   1. Turn on the on-screen keyboard:
      • Press Windows logo key + Ctrl + O, or
      • Go to Start > Settings > Ease of Access (or Accessibility) > Keyboard and turn on On-screen keyboard.
   2. Use the on-screen keyboard to press Ctrl+Home, Page Up, Page Down, and volume keys.
      • If they work correctly with the on-screen keyboard, the issue is likely with the physical keyboard hardware or its specific driver.
      • If they misbehave in the same way, the issue is likely a Windows setting or software.
5. Check for stuck modifier keys or Num Lock behavior Features like Toggle Keys can help detect if Caps Lock, Num Lock, or Scroll Lock are being toggled unexpectedly.
   1. In Settings > Ease of Access/Accessibility > Keyboard, turn on Toggle keys so a sound plays when Caps Lock, Num Lock, or Scroll Lock are pressed.
   2. Verify that Num Lock and other modifiers are in the expected state.

If, after these checks, keys still produce incorrect actions even with the on-screen keyboard and all accessibility features off, the next step is to look for third-party software that might be intercepting or remapping keys (such as macro tools, gaming overlays, or accessibility utilities) and temporarily disable or uninstall them to test.

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References:

• Troubleshoot problems with your Surface mouse or keyboard
• Troubleshoot Surface Pro Keyboard or Type Cover
• Make your mouse, keyboard, and other input devices easier to use
• Make the keyboard easier to use in Windows 7