Why is My Keyboard not Typing Letters but Opening Shortcuts?

Have you ever tried typing something on your computer only to have random applications open or menu pop-ups appear? Instead of typing the letters and words you intend, your keyboard is triggering shortcuts and commands.

This frustrating issue can make it impossible to write documents or emails. Your typing keeps getting interrupted by your keyboard opening Shortcuts Instead of typing letters.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore why this happens and how to get your keyboard functionality back to normal. You’ll be able to type properly without unpredictable shortcuts disrupting your input.

Table of Contents

What Causes a Keyboard to Open Shortcuts Instead of Typing Letters?

There are a few possible culprits that can turn your trusted keyboard against you:

Accidental shortcut trigger keys – Pressing certain key combinations like Win + Alt activates shortcut mode. This causes the keyboard to open apps and menus instead of typing.
Sticky Keys or Filter Keys – These Accessibility features can be accidentally enabled, causing unexpected keyboard shortcuts and inputs.
Faulty keyboard keys – A stuck, damaged or malfunctioning key like the Win key can continuously trigger shortcuts as you type.
Outdated drivers – An outdated or corrupt keyboard driver can impair normal typing functionality.
Software conflicts – Some third-party hotkey or shortcut software may hijack your regular key inputs.
Hardware damage – Physical issues with the keyboard itself can lead to electrical shorts or false inputs.

Now that we know why a keyboard might start opening shortcuts randomly, let’s look at some quick fixes and troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue.

Also Learn: Why is My Keyboard Typing Backwards?

Quick Fix: Press the Win + Alt Keys

If your keyboard is suddenly going haywire with shortcuts, pressing Win + Alt should instantly disable the shortcut trigger mode.

This key combination toggles the shortcut function off, allowing you to type normally again. It’s a quick fix you can attempt anytime shortcuts interrupt your typing unexpectedly.

However, this doesn’t resolve the underlying problem. The shortcuts will likely become activated again until proper troubleshooting is done. But it’s a handy temporary solution in a pinch!

Troubleshooting Steps to Stop Keyboard Shortcuts

To permanently stop your keyboard opening shortcuts when you are trying to type, some investigating and troubleshooting is required. Here are effective ways to diagnose and resolve this frustrating issue:

1: Turn Off Sticky Keys and Filter Keys

Windows includes Accessibility features called Sticky Keys and Filter Keys that modify keyboard inputs to make typing easier for people with disabilities.

However, these can sometimes be accidentally enabled on normal keyboards, leading to unpredictable shortcut behavior.

Sticky Keys allows you to press modifier keys like Shift or Ctrl without needing to hold them down. This causes shortcuts to get triggered as you type regular keys.

Filter Keys ignores brief or repeated keystrokes, which can also lead to unintended shortcuts activating.

To disable these Accessibility settings:

Open Control Panel app.

Go to Ease of Access → Keyboard.

keyboard option ease of access — Keyboard Option ease of access

Turn the toggle Off for Use Sticky Keys and Use Filter Keys.

toggle off sticky & filter key — Toggle Off Sticky & Filter Key

Restart your computer.

With Sticky and Filter Keys disabled, your normal key inputs should be restored.

2: Update Your Keyboard Driver

Like any hardware component, keyboards rely on drivers to function properly with your Windows operating system. An outdated or corrupted driver can interfere with normal typing.

Updating to the latest driver from your keyboard manufacturer ensures maximum compatibility and restores any lost functionality:

Open Device Manager in Windows.

Expand the Keyboard devices list.
Right-click your keyboard device and select Update Driver.

Restart your computer after the driver update completes.

This will override any faulty code in the old driver that may be causing the issue.

3: Check for Hardware Damage or Faults

Physical and electrical issues with your keyboard itself can manifest in odd ways like triggering shortcuts erratically as you type.

It’s worth examining your keyboard closely to rule out any hardware faults:

Inspect for damage, stuck or malfunctioning keys.
Detach and reattach keyboard cable/connections.
Try a different keyboard like a USB or wireless external.

If a different keyboard works fine, the problem lies with your original keyboard’s hardware. However, if the issue persists with multiple keyboards, it is likely a software-related cause.

4: Disable the Windows Ink Workspace

The Windows Ink Workspace is a program built into Windows to allow pen input and gestures on touchscreen devices. However, it can sometimes interfere with normal keyboard use and cause unintended shortcuts to activate.

If you don’t need the Ink Workspace features, you can disable it entirely:

Open the Registry Editor in Windows. You can press Win + R and type regedit then click OK.

In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft

Under the Microsoft key, check if there is already a subkey called WindowsInkWorkspace. If it does not exist, proceed to the next step.

Right-click on the Microsoft key and select New > Key from the context menu.
Name the newly created key WindowsInkWorkspace.
With the WindowsInkWorkspace key selected, right-click on it and choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Name the new DWORD AllowWindowsInkWorkspace.
Double-click the AllowWindowsInkWorkspace DWORD to open its properties.
In the Value Data field, enter 0 and click OK to save.
Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer for the changes to take effect. Windows Ink Workspace will now be disabled.

With the Windows Ink Workspace disabled, it should no longer be able to override your regular typing and input.

5: Uninstall Third-Party Hotkey or Macro Apps

Some third-party utilities allow you to create custom keyboard macros and shortcuts. If these apps have permissions to intercept key inputs, they can override your regular typing with their own shortcuts.

Try uninstalling any shortcut, hotkey or macro utilities you have installed:

Open Apps & Features in Windows Settings.
Uninstall any related third-party apps.
Restart your computer and check for improvement.

If the problem disappears after removing a certain utility, you know that was the cause. You can reinstall it and configure it to avoid this conflict in the future.

Additional Troubleshooting Steps

If you still can’t get your keyboard to stop opening shortcuts, there are a few other things you can try:

Perform a Clean Boot

A clean boot starts Windows with only the essential services and software running. This isolates whether any third-party apps are causing conflicts.

To do a clean boot:

Open the Startup tab of the Task Manager.
Disable any unnecessary startup programs.
Restart your PC in this clean state.

If the keyboard works normally during a clean boot, you can methodically enable startup items one-by-one until you identify the problem app.

Check for Malware

Keyboard shortcuts going haywire can sometimes indicate malware, viruses or spyware interfering with normal functionality.

Run comprehensive antivirus scans to check for and remove any malicious programs hiding on your system. A malware infection could be hijacking your key inputs.

Adjust Character Repeat Settings

Rapidly repeating characters as you type can accidentally trigger shortcuts. Adjusting the character repeat delay in Windows helps prevent this.

Under Keyboard Properties, increase the delay before repeat characters begin. You can also reduce the repeat rate speed for fewer accidental shortcuts.

Use an On-Screen Keyboard

If you can’t type normally no matter what you try, use the Windows On-Screen Keyboard as a temporary workaround. This displays a virtual keyboard you can click with your mouse instead.

Launch the On-Screen Keyboard under Ease of Access settings whenever you need to type without using your physical keyboard.

Consult a Repair Specialist

For persistent and unresolved issues, seek help from a qualified PC repair technician. They can thoroughly test both hardware and software to identify any abnormalities.

Specialist tools and diagnostics can uncover what’s causing your keyboard to go haywire in ways regular troubleshooting cannot.

When Shortcuts Disrupt Typing

Dealing with a keyboard that activates random shortcuts and commands can severely impact your productivity. But armed with the troubleshooting advice provided, you should be able to resolve most instances of this problem.

Pay close attention to any keyboard issues right away before they spiral out of control. And don’t hesitate to seek professional assistance for particularly stubborn or complex cases.

With the right mix of software settings, updated drivers, and keyboard maintenance, your typing will be back to normal in no time. Just remember the handy Win + Alt shortcut whenever your keyboard starts going rogue with shortcuts again!

Why Does My Keyboard Keep Opening Shortcuts?

To summarize, there are a few main reasons why your keyboard may be triggering shortcuts instead of typing properly:

Accidental Win + Alt shortcut mode activation.
Sticky Keys or Filter Keys turned on.
Outdated or corrupt keyboard drivers.
Damaged or malfunctioning keyboard.
Interference from third party hotkey apps.
The Windows Ink Workspace causing conflicts.

Now you have a better understanding of what’s causing this very frustrating issue. The good news is it can be resolved with a few simple troubleshooting steps.

Conclusion: Fixing Keyboard Shortcut Problems

With the solutions outlined in this keyboard opening shortcuts instead of typing letters guide, you should be able to get your keyboard reliably typing letters instead of unpredictable shortcuts and commands.

Here are some final tips to help resolve and prevent any further keyboard difficulties:

Perform regular keyboard driver updates to avoid compatibility issues.
Periodically inspect your keyboard for any stuck keys or damage.
Be careful when installing third-party hotkey/macro utilities.
Use the Win + Alt shortcut anytime strange shortcuts appear.

And don’t forget, if all else fails, plugging in an external keyboard can help determine if the problem is with your main keyboard or something in the software.

Have you experienced your keyboard opening shortcuts instead of typing normally? Let us know any other fixes that worked for you! With the right troubleshooting, you can get back to typing without annoying interruptions.

Read More

FAQs

Why is my keyboard stuck on FN?

The FN key toggle may have been accidentally activated, putting your keyboard in a special function key mode. Press the FN key again or try pressing FN + ESC to exit this mode and return functionality to normal.

What is the shortcut to enable keyboard keys?

The Windows key + L shortcut will lock your keyboard, while Windows key + U will unlock it again.

Can you accidentally lock your keyboard?

Yes, it’s possible to accidentally lock your keyboard by pressing certain key combinations that toggle lock states, like FN + Num Lock. Carefully pressing the same keys again can unlock it.

What are the 3 types of locks on a keyboard?

The 3 lock keys found on most keyboards are Caps Lock, Num Lock, and Scroll Lock. Pressing these keys will toggle their respective lock states on or off.

How do I turn off keyboard shortcut mode?

Pressing the Windows key + Alt shortcut will exit keyboard shortcut mode and return your keys to typing normally.

How do I reset my keyboard?

Unplugging your keyboard or restarting your computer will reset the keyboard. You can also access keyboard reset options through Device Manager or your keyboard software.

How do I turn off Ctrl Shift on my keyboard?

Pressing Ctrl + Shift again will deactivate this shortcut toggle, or you can disable the shortcut entirely in your keyboard software/driver settings.