I'm using the On-Screen Keyboard to type this because the physical keyboard's T key randomly stops registering in Windows 11. The key appears to work again after I restart the computer, so I'm not sure whether this is a hardware problem, a USB or driver issue, or a Windows setting. What should I check to figure out what's causing it?
3 Answers
The fact that the key works after a restart doesn’t necessarily prove the keyboard is fine. A failing key switch or contact can work intermittently, especially if pressing the key from a particular angle makes a difference. Try the keyboard on another computer, or test the T key in the BIOS or another pre-boot environment. If it fails there too, the keyboard is probably the problem.
Try unplugging the keyboard and connecting it to a different USB port, preferably one on a different side or row of ports. Windows may reinitialize it as a new device. You can also try another keyboard in the original port to determine whether the issue follows the keyboard or stays with the computer.
Test whether this is limited to Windows. Boot into the BIOS or a Windows recovery/live environment and try typing there. If T works normally outside Windows, investigate drivers, keyboard utilities, and accessibility settings such as Sticky Keys. If it fails everywhere, focus on the keyboard or its connection instead.
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