My right Shift key only works on the second subsequent key press

Brad M 46

This is the 2nd time this has happened, and I don't remember what fixed last time. It seems to be software-related. When I press the right Shift key, the next key press is not "Shifted". I have to press another key, while still holding the Shift key, and then it works.

For example, here's me typing a capital "A" with the right Shift key:

aA (I have to hit it twice before it works)

Here's the left Shift key:

A (works normally)

I have plugged in an external USB keyboard, and both Shift keys work properly. It only seems to be the onboard laptop keyboard that has an issue. I don't know if some software has a hotkey that is interfering with the normal Shift operation.

I've tried uninstalling all Keyboard devices in Device Manager, then rebooting to let Windows reinstall everything. No change.

I tried disabling Sticky Keys and Filter keys as described in other online articles/forums, and still that didn't fix it.

Is there maybe a way to see what software could be monitoring for the right Shift keypress? Any other ideas would be great. This has been going on for weeks now, and it's affecting my productivity. Thanks!

System Info:

Make: Lenovo

Model: Legion S7 15ACH6

Bios version: HACN46WW

Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 5800H with Radeon Graphics

Storage: 2.3 TB

Installed RAM: 24 GB (23.4 GB usable)

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Answer accepted by question author

Anonymous

It sounds like the key isn’t being recognized until another input forces the system to refresh the keyboard state, which usually points to a low-level driver or firmware issue rather than a simple app conflict. Since Safe Mode didn’t change the behavior and the OSK shows the same delay, that rules out most third-party software. At this point, the most likely causes are either a corrupted keyboard driver stack or something in the recent Windows update affecting how the onboard keyboard communicates. I’d start by doing a clean reinstall of the keyboard driver using Lenovo’s official package instead of the generic Windows one and then check if there’s a newer BIOS or firmware update for your Legion S7 on Lenovo’s support site. If that doesn’t help, try running DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth followed by sfc /scannow to repair any system files that might have been impacted by the update or CCleaner’s optimization. One quick question, does the right Shift key behave the same way in the BIOS setup screen or when typing in a pre-boot environment? That will tell us if it’s truly hardware or still OS-level.

Brad M 46 Reputation points

2025-12-19T03:44:07.35+00:00

Hi, thanks for the follow-up. I have no Idea what fixed it, but now it's working again. After a few weeks of not working, maybe some Windows Updates installed and either directly or indirectly fixed it. Either way, I appreciate your dedication on this one.

Answer accepted by question author

Lucus-V 12,705 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi Brad M,
Welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum. I'm happy to help.

By default, Windows treats the left and right Shift keys as the same key with identical functionality. In Operating System Level, Windows can tell the difference between the left and right Shift keys. However, in Software Level, most standard applications cannot.

Regarding that and information you've provided, you probably have hardware issue with your laptop keyboard.

You may do some basic keyboard check online, example: https://keyboard-test.space/

Disclaimer: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate and safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

I hope that above information is helpful to you.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

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Lucus-V 12,705 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-12-16T07:57:18.8333333+00:00

Hi Brad M,
I hope everything is going well on your end. Just wanted to check in and see how things are going for you lately, anything you'd like to share or discuss?
Brad M 46 Reputation points

2025-12-19T03:44:59.9966667+00:00

Thanks for the ideas and that keyboard testing site. Very handy! This issue, after weeks of not working, seems to have fixed itself. This was a strange one for sure.
Lucus-V 12,705 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-12-20T23:23:18.8333333+00:00

Hi Brad M,
I think there's problem with the keyboard or circuit board. But it's not critical, you can use an external keyboard if the issue occurs again.

I'm glad to hear that you're now get rid of the issue. Hopefully it won't be back.

1 additional answer

Anonymous

2025-12-11T20:27:02.66+00:00

Hi, I understand how annoying it can be when a key doesn’t behave as expected.

What’s happening here is that your right Shift key is being detected, but something in the software layer is delaying its effect until the second key press.

Since the external keyboard works fine, this points to either a driver issue or a program intercepting that key for shortcuts or macros.

First, try booting into Safe Mode and test the key there, if it works normally, then a background app is likely the culprit.

Also check for any Lenovo utilities, gaming overlays, or macro tools running in the background and disable them temporarily.

Updating your keyboard driver and BIOS from Lenovo’s support site can help too.

If the problem persists even in Safe Mode, it could be firmware related.

Do you recall installing any new software around the time this started, or do you use any apps that customize keyboard shortcuts?

Regards,
Aron
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Brad M 46 Reputation points

2025-12-11T21:35:15.38+00:00

Thanks for the reply! I just tried all of that, and still no change. I brought up the on screen keyboard, and I verified that pressing the right Shift key doesn't even register on the OSK, but as soon as I press another key, it lights up. No change in behavior, but just an observation of when the Shift press gets recognized.Since it still behaved the same in Safe mode, I'm not sure what software might be interfering. I use OBS to live stream and I have some custom hotkeys in there. But OBS isn't always on.

The last thing I remember was running CCleaner and using the optimization settings to put some programs to sleep. Then around the same time I had some major Windows updates (I think it was a preview) that I installed. Shortly thereafter I noticed the Shift key issue. So I tried restoring Windows using the built-in restore points. That didn't seem to have any effect either, but there are some programs now that don't start correctly and I have to open them a second time to get them working. I've seen that before when doing a system restore.

I'm stumped on this one. Thank you for your attention on this.

Eric Z 0 Reputation points

2026-01-01T04:08:27.5433333+00:00

This has begun happening on my Legion S7 15ACH6 as well, except with the Q, Tab, Tilde, and esc keys. Did you ever figure out what causes it?

Alex Carpentieri 0 Reputation points

2026-08-15T03:30:52.48+00:00

I am having the exact same issue with the shift key. With the issue being so repeatable, I wasn't thinking it's a hardware issue... but I haven't changed any settings or software. I'm thinking I will be purchasing a replacement keyboard soon.