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Hello,
I am using a Surface Pro with Type Cover.
When I am selecting multiple items e.g. in Outlook or Windows Explorer I apparently hold down the Ctrl-key and left-click the items with my mouse.
When I select many items it takes certainly a while to select -- if that time span is let's say 10 seconds (may be it's just 5 sec) then my CTRL key locks, meaning, I do not have to hold it down in order to select multiple items. Problem is that you e.g. can't even hit the Windows button on the keyboard and not even the hardware Windows button on the Surface. If your machine falls into Sleep mode you cannot type the password any more. You have to reboot.
It took a while to find out that the Ctrl key was the trouble maker -- then after identifying it as such I tried to unlock it by hitting it 1 more time which works.
So, that is a remedy, however, if you do not notice that the Ctrl key gets locked then your machine also slows down, even the Task Manager (e.g. Performance tab) doesn't update any more. That looks like an overload -- may be because Thousands of 'key down' messages are processed, even if the key is not pushed any more? Just a speculation.
One more thing: the Ctrl key gets only locked when I make the selections with the mouse -- if I select them with the Surface Pen the Ctrl key gets NOT locked.
BTW, I tried two mice: bluetooth and wi-fi -- both deliver the same result, it doesn't matter.
Anyway, I am not aware that something like a 'sticky key' would exist for the Ctrl key? Does it? At least I have not turned on or seen such access feature activated. Also, no, my keyboard is not filled with crumbs. And it is unlikely that it would lock when I use the mouse but not if I use the Pen...
And the Ctrl Lock-down seems wrong -- is it?
Type cover bug? or am I unaware of the 'sticky key' feature?
Frank
The Surface family includes Surface Pro, Surface Laptop, and other Surface products. Surface is designed to help organizations, students, and consumers be more productive.
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
Greetings all,
New update: 5/21/14
We are still investigating this issue and hope to make progress soon.
Just a quick update (2/10/14).
We are actively investigating this issue and will work on a resolution to ensure our customers have the best possible experience on their Surface devices.
I have a similar issue, except that my CTRL key will randomly stay "pressed", making it impossible to do any more work without restarting the device. I have isolated it to one application - Xara Designer Pro X9. It doesn't play up straight away but if I use that application for half-an-hour or so it will start to lock up and, once it does, it will require a re-start every few minutes. There are other reports on Reddit of the Chrome browser causing similar problems. Maybe it has to do with drivers for the TypeCover?
To Forum Moderator: note that this is REAL BUG in all Type Cover keyboards software/firmware, not hardware. It is not an issue with individual Type Covers, Surfaces, or users. It does not happen with USB or Bluetooth keyboards. It only happens while you are using a mouse (not a pen) with a Type Cover. Please report it to Microsoft: tech support can't help. You can try it yourself very easily:
Open a folder and shift-click WITH A MOUSE several icons to create a multiple selection, but keep the shift key down for more than 5 seconds while you are doing it. The shift key will then be locked after you release it, and further clicks will add to the selection. Pressing the shift key once will release the lock. Same with Control and Alt keys, with "amusing" effects.
Same happens in at least some applications, and also with WASD keys while playing games (so you can't play games like WoW with a mouse! at all!).
To Forum Moderator: note that this is REAL BUG in all Type Cover keyboards software/firmware, not hardware. It is not an issue with individual Type Covers, Surfaces, or users. It does not happen with USB or Bluetooth keyboards. It only happens while you are using a mouse (not a pen) with a Type Cover. Please report it to Microsoft: tech support can't help. You can try it yourself very easily:
Open a folder and shift-click WITH A MOUSE several icons to create a multiple selection, but keep the shift key down for more than 5 seconds while you are doing it. The shift key will then be locked after you release it, and further clicks will add to the selection. Pressing the shift key once will release the lock. Same with Control and Alt keys, with "amusing" effects.
Same happens in at least some applications, and also with WASD keys while playing games (so you can't play games like WoW with a mouse! at all!).
I can confirm this is an issue with my 256GB SP2 - the model I have came with the 4300 proc. I can reproduce this with my wireless mouse exactly as stated above. Once the key becomes stuck tapping it usually will unstick the key.
Incredibly annoying - especially when playing games.
FYI, I was able to reproduce with wireless mouse with usb receiver and Bluetooth mouse.
I have the same problem. When holding Shift, Alt or Ctrl button down more than ca 8 seconds, the button will stay activated until next time you press the actual button.
One more issue is that if you hold a letter button down, it will stop working after 5-10 seconds. The number of typed letters (in ex. Word) are exactly the same every time.
When using other keyboards (usb/Bluetooth), none of the problems above are discovered.
I really hope Microsoft will fix this soon, because I can't use my Surface Pro 2 for gaming.