Caps Lock Coming On Spontaneously/or When Non-Caps Lock Key Pressed

gary palmer · 11 Mar 2017

The Problem: Logitech K800 wireless keyboard has caps lock either comes on spontaneously by itself; or after pressing another key such as say spacebar or non-capslock key. Problem is rare and occurs about once every say 10 days or so. The spontaneous occurrence is very rare and usually problem occurs when I press a non caps lock key on keyboard. Also if I plug in a ‘wired’ keyboard the issue never occurs..tested this over several weeks to be sure. Also all Control Panel>Ease of Access features such as sticky keys etc are disabled.

Things I have tested out as possible causes; none of these fixed the problem:
*replaced Logitech K800 wireless keyboard which is 6years old with exactly the same type of one…another K800. Result is it did not fix the problem.
*swapped the Logitech unifying receiver for the keyboard with another one which is exactly same type of receiver. Result is it did not fix the problem.
*uninstalled and reinstalled Logitech’s Setpoint 6.65 for keyboard software. Result is it did not fix the problem.
*Also updated to Setpoint 6.67 which I just did; so have not had time to test if this solves problem as problem occurs rarely…about once every 10 days or so. Also Setpoint 6.65 has run for several years on my PC without caps lock issue happening. Problem has been around for about a month or so.
*considered the possibility that maybe some type of radio interference is causing a problem as the keyboard is wireless and transmits a signal on the 2.4Ghz frequency to the receiver. Not likely as I have been using the same hardware/PC for several years and not had this issue before until recently in past month or so. Hard to prove this one if is cause.
*substituted the USB2.0 extender cable for the receiver with another cable. Result is it did not fix the problem
*re-installed the windows update driver for the Logitech Unifying receiver by unplugging and then reconnecting the receiver from its USB extender cable. Result is it did not fix the problem.

If anyone has any ideas on this issue please contact me…Thanks…Gary

Layback Bear · 11 Mar 2017

What is a Non- Caps key?
"Caps Lock" key is one key that locks and unlocks the auto Cap function.

Press the key once and it will lock the Caps on.
Press it again and it will unlock the Caps to the off position.

Or it could be I'm not understanding your problem as it is worded.

Jack

gary palmer · 11 Mar 2017

Hi Layback Bear. What I mean by the term Non-Caps Lock key is any key on the keyboard which I can press but not the caps lock key. In other words any other key on the keyboard being pressed other than the caps lock key. Occasionally caps lock comes on when I press one of the other non- caps lock keys like for example say the spacebar key or B key for example.
thx...GAry

Mellon Head · 11 Mar 2017

Gary,

I tend to lean heavily toward the possibility of some sort of interference causing this problem. I'm wondering if there is a new electronic device or appliance that has just appeared in the last month or so? Like a new microwave, baby monitor, etc. It might even be located at your neighbor's house.

I mention this because where I work, wireless keyboards and the office WiFi would go crazy around lunch time every day. After some headscratching for a few weeks, we discovered that it was the kitchen's microwave. It was leaking energy, even though it was new and was putting out an RF signal. Microwaves work at 2.4 GHz...

Ranger4 · 11 Mar 2017

It would seem that Mellon Head it on the right track with this problem. As you state in your first Post this does not occur with a wired keyboard, so it certainly indicates signal interference of some kind.

Have you added any additional electrical items to the household recently, that might be emitting electrical radio frequency?.

gary palmer · 12 Mar 2017

Thx for info and replies Ranger4 and Mellon Head. Yes I am certainly thinking this is the probable cause.
My daughter+wife recently got a Lenovo Tablet device each and these could be the culprit or as mentioned a neighbor near by using similar. With wireless keyboard the signal is probably being interfered with in some manner as it passes between keyboard and receiver. Is also a known fact that the 2.4Ghz frequency used by so many devices is somewhat crowded...to many devices use this one frequency range.

Other possibilities I considered could be a faulty keyboard emulator chip on MOBO, or OS software bug of some sort. However I do know that a wired keyboard also uses both of these same variables and as problem has never happened with a wired keyboard I can count them out as possible causes.

I will shorten the distance between the keyboard and its receiver; which currently are about 130cm apart (about 51 inches) so are much closer. This will also increase the distance the receiver is from the PC case and all its internal electronics that could also be an issue.

Shall test these changes for several weeks and if improves or fixes problem will repost and mark thread as solved.

Thanks again everybody...Gary

Megahertz07 · 12 Mar 2017

I agree with Mellon Head and Ranger.
Routers also use the 2.4GHz frequency. Is your router close to the computer? If so, try to set it to another channel.

Layback Bear · 12 Mar 2017

Thanks for explaining things, so even I understand.

Do you have any (IoT) anywhere close by?

I could be as difficult to discover as someone wearing a new IoT watch or health bracelet in the room.

**
What is an IoT device?

The Internet of things (stylised Internet of Things or IoT) is the internetworking of physical devices, vehicles (also referred to as "connected devices" and "smart devices"), buildings and other items—embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and network connectivity that enable these objects to collect ...
**

Time for pencil and paper.
Because your problem happens so seldom; make notes of what is on or off in your household when the problem arises.

A little something I found.

K800 operating distance - Logitech Support Article

In ideal situations, the K800 can operate up to 30 feet (10 meters) with the receiver in clear sight of the keyboard and mouse.
If you are not getting this distance:

Replace the batteries with a fresh set.
Use the USB Receiver stand (included with your K800) to move the USB receiver to a line of sight or change its positioning.
Move devices such as cell phones, radios, wireless routers, microwaves, and other devices that emit radio waves or could cause radio interference (RF) away from your work area.

To determine if your environment is causing shorter than expected ranges, try using your K800 in a different environment to see if the distance improves.

Jack

gary palmer · 12 Mar 2017

Thx Layback Bear..I do not have any IoT devices as you described. But have moved the receiver for keyboard so it sits now within 18 inches or so from keyboard and mouse. Is no longer dangling on side of PC case and also a lot further from modem router. In the modern era of wireless devices of which they are so many; they are probably many of such devices all around me...including neighbours. So many use the 2.4Ghz frequency and after doing a bit of research on google there is a view out there that 2.4Ghz is over crowded... causing problems such as I have been having with the keyboard.

These are all the things I have considered as possible causes of issue..but the one that stands out is radio frequency interference. Next time it happens I will see if I can note anything that is on that could be the cause.

*replaced Logitech K800 wireless keyboard which is 6years old with exactly the same type of one…another K800. Result is it did not fix the problem.
*swapped the Logitech unifying receiver for the keyboard with another one which is exactly same type of receiver. Result is it did not fix the problem.
*uninstalled and reinstalled Logitech’s Setpoint 6.65 for keyboard software. Result is it did not fix the problem.
*Also updated to Setpoint 6.67 which I just did; so have not had time to test if this solves problem as problem occurs rarely…about once every 10 days or so. Also Setpoint 6.65 has run for several years on my PC without caps lock issue happening. Problem has been around for about a month or so.
*considered the possibility that maybe some type of radio interference is causing a problem as the keyboard is wireless and transmits a signal on the 2.4Ghz frequency to the receiver. Not likely as I have been using the same hardware/PC for several years and not had this issue before until recently in past month or so. Hard to prove this one if is cause.
*substituted the USB2.0 extender cable for the receiver with another cable. Result is it did not fix the problem
*re-installed the windows update driver for the Logitech Unifying receiver by unplugging and then reconnecting the receiver from its USB extender cable. Result is it did not fix the problem.
*interference from modem router which is a 2.4Ghz device too and maybe too close to keyboard/receiver. Can change modem router channel as possible solution.
*bug within OS
*faulty keyboard emulator on MOBO

Gary

Ranger4 · 12 Mar 2017

Have you tried using another USB socket to see the problem still persists.

As you have said the problem never occurs with a wired keyboard, so that would tend to indicate there is not a problem with the motherboard, as I assume the Logitech wireless receiver inputs exactly the same signal to the motherboard that a wired keyboard does. I doubt that there is an OS bug as this would be a widely reported problem as there are countless wireless keyboards operating including my own Logitech that does not have your problem.

Trying to isolate where a 2.4Ghz radio signal is coming from is probably almost impossible, particularly if it only intermittent. There are things like auto garage door openers, possible 2 way radio transmissions, etc., that may also operate on 2.4Ghz & may only operate occasionally.

If this becomes unbearable, you may have to resort to using a wired keyboard.