System thinks CTRL key is pressed when it isn't

[starfishtwo]

I just bought a brand new laptop running Windows 7 64 bit 5 days ago. When typing, the computer suddenly acts as if the ctrl key is pressed when it isn't. Any letter typed will perform the action it would if the ctrl key is pressed. This can only be remedied by a complete reboot. I have googled this problem and found many posts about it but no clear solution. I do not have sticky keys enabled.

Anyone have any experience with this problem?

 

[carwiz]

I haven't had the problem but one way to get companies to fix things is by having their receiving department start filling up with returned merchandise. If it were my 5-day old computer, it would be going back to the store or place of purchase via RMA.

 

[badger906]

have you been using remote desktop recently? theres an old bug that hasnt been fixed that normally only effects the windows key, making windows think its being held... however it may hinder ctrl if you dont have a windows key.

the usual fix is jsut to hammer the key between 6-12 times

 

[starfishtwo]

The key isn't actually physically stuck. I haven't even touched the key when this happens and a reboot solves the problem ~ leading me to believe this is a software issue. It may be a hardware driver issue, but I don't think it's a hardware issue (i.e., I couldn't physically unstick a key by restarting the system).

And I don't even know what remote desktop is, so I'm pretty sure I haven't been using it.

 

[whiskeytango]

Where it could be an actual physical defect with the keyboard beyond just the plastic keys it could also be driver related.
Are you using any kind of external keyboard either wireless, docking station, or wired?
If so I would roll back those drivers, see if that fixes issue, then obtain a fresh copy of the drives online, then reinstall them.

Do you have windows update on?
Possible this is a known issue with the computer and a recent driver update has been released already.
Go to Start->RightClick.Computer->Device Manager find Keyboards, click arrow, RightClick go to update driver software, then let windows find best one. If a new one is available then it will be downloaded and installed for you, you may have to reboot.

If not it may be more of a defect and I would return computer, most will have 30-90 days, just don't wait.

You could also look into uninstalling and installing keyboard drivers if you can find them.

 

[starfishtwo]

I do have updates on, but when I go into my event viewer, there are a lot of errors about windows update that are sort of not understandable. There are 256 errors and warnings for a 5 day old computer. Does that seem like a lot?

I'm not using an external keyboard, but I am using an external mouse.

It's hard to tell quickly if something has fixed the problem because it's a recurring problem, not a constant one. But I will try the fixes you suggested and report back.

Thanks for your assistance!

 

[starfishtwo]

I went through device manager and Windows says the driver for my keyboard is up to date.

 

[whiskeytango]

Since it is a 6 day old PC you may just want to return it at this point. I would make sure you remove anything you installed that may be private.
Since you will be uninstalling things in order to return it, I would run the system recovery and go back to factory defaults, see if it still happens before returning it, may be some conflict with something installed.
If you got it from a computer store like a best buy or microcenter take it in, they are pretty good about most of these things.
I am also wondering if this issue would happen if you used an external keyboard for a while.

 

[serpentracer]

yeah I'd def return that thing. I bet the keyboard is bad is all. but you never know.

 

[Lucky11]

It's AUGUST 8. My Ctrl Key is sticking ...

It's AUGUST 8. My Ctrl Key is sticking ... Your exact problem from 9 months ago ...

Did you find a solution ? (I sure hope so)

Maybe you would email me directly ... [email protected] ... Larry

(I hope I am not breaking a rule by asking this)

I just bought a brand new laptop running Windows 7 64 bit 5 days ago. When typing, the computer suddenly acts as if the ctrl key is pressed when it isn't. Any letter typed will perform the action it would if the ctrl key is pressed. This can only be remedied by a complete reboot. I have googled this problem and found many posts about it but no clear solution. I do not have sticky keys enabled.

Anyone have any experience with this problem?

 

[Lucky11]

Hello All. It's August 9th, 2012. There's been no avalanche of answers on this problem. I spoke with Newegg tech dept. ... We failed to find an answer. I'm sending it back for a replacement of the same Computer, A Sony i7 with a lot of letters describing the model.
Just like starfishtwo of some 9 months ago, who worded the problem perfectly, I've found no answers.
A Sony, Windows 7 64 bit 15 days ago. When typing, the computer suddenly acts as if the ctrl key is pressed when it isn't.
Any letter typed will perform the same action it would if the ctrl key is pressed. This problem can only be remedied by a complete reboot.
I can't work this way. Back it goes. Cudos to Newegg, who are sending me a new one FIRST, and allowing me to send the damaged one back AFTER I feel secure with the operation of the new one.

 

[Otter8]

I believe the problem here is with Pinch Zoom. Type "Mouse" in the Start Menu search and hit enter. Then click TouchPad Settings / Device Settings tab and click Touchpad Settings / Settings and disable Pinch Zoom.

 

[Skoony]

I am getting this error too, I have been getting it since I bought my computer, brand new. At no point is the CTRL key somehow physically stuck when this occurs.
It can take days or weeks before this error occurs, but you can be sure that when it appears, it won't disappear. So it's not something to test for in Safe Mode or otherwise.

It is extremely annyoing. It renders the computer unusuable. At first, it just affects one window. I notice it easily because when I scroll in Opera, it will suddenly zoom instead of scrolling. If you want to experience how bad it is, just hold in CTRL while you do anything. You won't be able to type, and if you try, you will open a heaven of shortcuts instead. Be careful of what's on your clipboard, for one

My computer is a Asus G74SX. Sometimes, the going into Help center and turning on and off the 'sticky keys' and those things will repair it, but the last time this happened to me, today, it didn't work. The only true solution for it is to reboot. It might go another week or two before this happens again, but it will happen.

This seems to be purely a Windows 7-issue. It can't be with any inappropriate programmes, because it came to me when I just got the computer. It seems to happen with all brands of computers. And I can't see anyone getting this error on Linux etc. So I'm just posting to share my frustration

 

[Injust]

Will somebody with the proper permissions remove Lucky11's email in post #10?
Thanks.

 

[tangentman]

FIX FIX FIX FIX FIX FIX FIX FIX FIX

I had this issue on a desktop PC. The fix was to uninstall/remove all devices listed under the keyboard section in Device Manager and then reboot :

Uninstall Device and Device Driver

Hit the + to expand keyboards, remove all devices you find there
then reboot !