Keyboard Issues

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.

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