Keys don't repeat when held down unless FilterKeys is ON

So I have this strange problem, where I have to turn FilterKeys ON to have keys repeat when I hold them down. Otherwise, only one character appears when I hold down a key, and only one character is deleted when I hold down the backspace key.

I've tried searching all over the Internet for my problem, but everyone else suggests turning FilterKeys OFF instead - my problem seems to be the exact opposite.

I've tried checking the Control Panel and everything seems to be fine.

So is there anything I can edit in the registry or some files I can edit to resolve this problem? In the meantime I've tried editing the FilterKeys options in the registry to speed it up, but it still feels a bit annoying and it doesn't work until I have entered my password.

I don't have any restore points (for some reason they aren't automatically created) or anything that I can use to revert my computer to its original state.

I'm also worried about why this problem suddenly happens, and if anything else in my computer is affected. I've downloaded several files yesterday (though I deleted them all), so I guess it might be a virus problem? I've tried scanning with TrendMicro Housecall and my computer appears to be "clean"... Also there aren't any strange processes in the Task Manager. Might my computer be at risk? Are there any other good (and free) virus scan programs you would recommend?


EDIT: Oh, I would like to state that OSK works perfectly fine. It's just my normal keyboard that refuses to repeat without FilterKeys.

Also try going to Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Keyboard and adjusting these sliders.
Welcome to Seven Forums too. :)

marsmimar said:

Hello Tukkun and welcome to Seven Forums.

You might be able to change the registry here:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Accessibility\Keyboard Response

AutoRepeatRate: a value of 15 equals 64 characters per second on my keyboard. A value of 30 equals 32 characters/sec but any values in between don't translate properly.
AutoRepeatDelay: should be at least 300, but a higher setting (400-500-1000) may work better for your particular typing style.
BounceTime, DelayBeforeAcceptance: I leave them at 0. Your mileage may vary.
Flags: is 35 if enabled but will cause FilterKeys icon in the system tray. 34 will disable this.

You could try playing around with these settings to see if they make a difference for you. Any registry changes will probably require rebooting for them to take effect.

   Warning

Before making any registry changes it's advisable to make a System Restore Point or save and export a copy of the registry "just in case". Improperly changing the registry could brick your computer.

I've already done that, thanks. Though the problem still remains, keys don't repeat properly unless FilterKeys is on, and they don't repeat until I've entered my password. I used to have FilterKeys off and still have keys repeat normally.

I'm mostly worried that this might be a side effect of a keylogger. Maybe the keylogger makes it so I can't repeat keys so it can tell which keys I press more easily? I only have one winlogon.exe. I've also scanned my computer with Spybot (free version), MalwareBytes (pro trial) and Trend Micro Housecall, all of them told me that my computer was "clean". Are there any other (free, because I have no money) virus scan programs I should be using, or should I probably stop worrying about this? Is there anything else I can do?

I've also tried downloading RegScanner, a program that looks for recent registry modifications, but didn't find anything relevant. So I guess it's not a registry problem :\ I can't find any suspicious files in my computer either.

Britton30 said:

Also try going to Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Keyboard and adjusting these sliders.
Welcome to Seven Forums too. :)

Those sliders have literally no effect for me.

Simple suggestion, might sound stupid but give it a try.

Have you tried a different keyboard?

Tukkun said:

andrew129260 said:

Simple suggestion, might sound stupid but give it a try.

Have you tried a different keyboard?

... lol, it worked. Thanks!

Glad you got it working! :)
First time anyone says they have any problem at all with their keyboard That is my first suggestion.
Weird things happen sometimes with keyboards that cause unexplained weirdness.

Cool solution, sometime we "think too hard" about a problem.

Britton30 said:

Cool solution, sometime we "think too hard" about a problem.

I have a Boss that has been teaching me as I was always the one to over think the issue.
Recently I have been training more and learning that some things really are simple. Try simple first.
Like they keep telling me, K.I.S.S. Keep it simple stupid.

lol.