Keyboard Typing Strange Characters

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  1. StressedOut
    Posts : 5
    Windows 10
       New #1

    Keyboard Typing Strange Characters


    Any help with this will be appreciated. I can't login to my laptop because the keyboard is acting strange. I'm running windows 10.

    If I enter "2" the keyboard enters "w2".
    If I try deleting the odd characters like "w2" it will only delete the 2 and the "w" remains.
    If I press backspace it enters "/y".
    If I press backspace more than once it just keeps entering "/y/y/y" etc...
    It's the same with every number or letter I enter, it'll just show "/q" or "/c", etc...
    The cursor buttons also don't work, if I press up it scrolls left or right, if I press left or right it goes up or down.

    I haven't installed anything for at least a week.

    If anyone can tell me how to fix this it will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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  3. Paul Black
    Posts : 18,044
    Win 10 Pro 64-bit v1909 - Build 18363 Custom ISO Install
       New #2

    Welcome to TenForums @StressedOut.

    Is the problem the same if you boot into Safe Mode?
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  4. StressedOut
    Posts : 5
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       New #3

    Yes, I tried safe mode, same problem.

    The on-screen keyboard works though.
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  6. thomaseg1
    Posts : 13,301
    Windows 10 Pro (x64) 21H2 19044.1526
       New #4

    Is your keyboard wireless or usb wired?
    Try plugging the board into a different port.

    How old is the keyboard?
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  7. StressedOut
    Posts : 5
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       New #5

    It's a Dell laptop, only about 4 months old.

    Also alt+tab doesn't work either.
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  8. thomaseg1
    Posts : 13,301
    Windows 10 Pro (x64) 21H2 19044.1526
       New #6

    You could try deleting the keyboard from the device manager and rebooting.
    You may have to use the power button to do this.
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  9. Try3
    Posts : 16,966
    Windows 10 Home x64 Version 22H2 Build 19045.4170
       New #7

    StressedOut,

    thomaseg1 said:
    You could try deleting the keyboard from the device manager and rebooting.
    You may have to use the power button to do this.
    If Thomas's excellent suggestion does not resolve matters I think you need to run your Dell diagnostics and then report the results to Dell support.
    If there's no explicit link in your Start menu (Dell Utilities) or by checking for it in Dell SupportAssist or other running Dell utilities in your System tray / Notn area [including checking the ^ bits] then mine runs during boot from F9 - Dell ePSA Pre Boot System Assessment
    (I've also got a note saying that I could start it from F12 Boot options menu, Diagnostics)

    If you do have to contact those <adjectival phrases removed by forum moderator> at Dell support then prepare everything beforehand. Do not allow any loose expressions of yours to give them a chance to say, "That's a software fault. We cannot help.".
    - They tried that one on me even when I reported that the Bluetooth adapter had disappeared a week after delivery of the computer. It was not even detected by Device manager.

    Best of luck,
    Denis
    Last edited by Try3; 19 Nov 2020 at 07:04.
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  10. StressedOut
    Posts : 5
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       New #8

    I've had no luck. I disabled and uninstalled the keyboard from device manager, but that didn't fix it. I don't have any Dell utilities to try.

    Virus scan says it's clean.
    Malware scan says it's clean.
    I did a system restore to two weeks ago, that didn't work either.

    I've never had a problem like this before with any pc or laptop. It's even weirder because I can't do alt+tab to switch windows, and even the windows button doesn't work, or the cursor keys.
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  12. Paul Black
    Posts : 18,044
    Win 10 Pro 64-bit v1909 - Build 18363 Custom ISO Install
       New #9

    Hello @StressedOut,

    StressedOut said:
    I've had no luck. I disabled and uninstalled the keyboard from device manager, but that didn't fix it. I don't have any Dell utilities to try.

    Virus scan says it's clean.
    Malware scan says it's clean.
    I did a system restore to two weeks ago, that didn't work either.

    I've never had a problem like this before with any pc or laptop. It's even weirder because I can't do alt+tab to switch windows, and even the windows button doesn't work, or the cursor keys.
    Has the installed keyboard language got screwed up?
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  13. Try3
    Posts : 16,966
    Windows 10 Home x64 Version 22H2 Build 19045.4170
       New #10

    StressedOut said:
    I've had no luck. I disabled and uninstalled the keyboard from device manager, but that didn't fix it. I don't have any Dell utilities to try.

    Virus scan says it's clean.
    Malware scan says it's clean.
    I did a system restore to two weeks ago, that didn't work either.

    I've never had a problem like this before with any pc or laptop. It's even weirder because I can't do alt+tab to switch windows, and even the windows button doesn't work, or the cursor keys.
    Did you see my post?

    Either try the tests then contact Dell support or just contact Dell support.

    Denis
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