My Razer BlackWidow V4 X started behaving strangely while I was watching a video. At first, the computer seemed to be trying to print or interact with the video, and afterward my browser began opening YouTube in a new tab whenever I tried to return to the homepage. After restarting, I discovered that several keys no longer register, including P, Space, [, ;, comma, period, slash, and the entire number pad. I've already restarted the computer, tested Sticky Keys and Filter Keys, tried the keyboard's Fn shortcuts and Num Lock, updated and reinstalled the drivers, and changed a registry setting suggested by a troubleshooting guide. None of that helped. Could this be a stuck modifier key, dirt or liquid under the keycaps, a keyboard hardware failure, or something else?
3 Answers
A stuck Ctrl, Alt, or another modifier key could explain the strange browser behavior. Open the Windows on-screen keyboard by pressing Win+R, typing `osk`, and checking whether any modifier key appears pressed. Also try connecting a different keyboard. If the other keyboard works normally, the Razer is almost certainly the problem.
Before replacing it, test the keyboard on another computer or in the BIOS/UEFI screen. If those keys fail there too, Windows and the drivers aren’t responsible. You could clean it and check the cable, but if the same keys remain dead, use the warranty or replace the keyboard rather than spending much time on registry tweaks.
The particular group of dead keys sounds more like a physical keyboard problem than a driver issue. Keyboards use electrical rows and columns, so a failed trace, switch circuit, connector, or controller can make several unrelated-looking keys stop working together. Since you were eating nearby, unplug the keyboard and carefully remove the affected keycaps to check for crumbs or sticky residue. Don’t pour liquid into it, and let it dry completely if anything was spilled.
I checked the on-screen keyboard and neither Ctrl key appeared pressed. I’ll try another physical keyboard to narrow it down.