Windows Key Button Acts Like It's Sticking

[polo495]

Hello Everyone,

I'm not sure if anyone else has noticed this or whether it is a problem with my system but my windows key button seems like it is sticking. Normally, to use windows shortcuts you would do something like windows key+m to minimize all windows. Well what I find is that periodically the key seems to stick and if I type "m", for example, it will minimize all windows. Basically any key I hint will do whatever it is programed to do as a windows shortcut, if that makes sense. I know I can just disable the shortcuts but I was wondering if there was any way to fix this. Currently, when the problem arises I just hit the windows key button and it seems to reset it and everything goes back to normal. I didn't just buy the computer now. I had Vista on it before and never had any problem related to the windows key button.

Let me know what you think the problem is and thanks for any help you have.

Polo

 

[VindicationX]

Have you tried a different keyboard?

 

[DrJarmin]

Do you have sticky keys turned on? In Control Panel select "Ease of Access -> Ease of Access Center -> Make the keyboard easier to use" and see if Sticky Keys is checked?

I don't know if it applies to the windows key though.

 

[TaraSWinTeam]

Hello Polo,

Find more information about the Windows 7 keyboard shortcuts here: Keyboard shortcuts.

Cheers,
Tara
Windows Outreach Team

 

[polo495]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for your replies. DrHarmin, no the "sticky keys" section is not checked off.

VindicationX, I haven't been able to try another keyboard because I have a laptop and have no extra ones but I will ask a friend to borrow theirs and see what happens.

The biggest problem is that it's not like it happens all the time. I haven't been able to determine if anything triggers it. The only thing that somewhat makes sense is the docking station. I find that it happens a bit more often after I dock the laptop. But even that doesn't happen all the time.

 

[DrJarmin]

If the sticky keys is checked it will act like the key is held down. Sticky keys can be triggered by pressing, say, the shift key 5 times quickly. At least in XP, not sure about Win7.

Could you be accidentally triggering it?

 

[Takai]

I am having the EXACT same problem, except that hitting the WinKey only works for a few seconds. I am not inadvertently hitting the Windows Key, and I have only had this issue since upgrading to Win7.

It took me half an hour to post this due to this error. I'm about to scream.

Edit- BTW, I have gone to the point of editing my Registry to disable the Windows Keys, and it has so far only disabled my Left Key, not my right, and I'm still having the error. Please Help!

 

[Takai]

I found a functional disable for the WinKeys that disables both, in case anyone else is having this issue!

How can I disable the Win key?

 

[daSpud]

I am having a similar problem, but only when going in and out of an "integrated application" in XP Mode.

I haven't been able to pin it down exactly, but sometimes when I go back into my application the XP machine thinks the windows key is depressed and as soon as I type an "L" the computer is locked and my password will NOT unlock it.

If I type a "U" I get a popup about accessibility or some such. If I then press and release the windows key everything will be fine until I leave and come back (but not always when I come back).

Thoughts anyone?

 

[Takai]

I am having a similar problem, but only when going in and out of an "integrated application" in XP Mode.

I haven't been able to pin it down exactly, but sometimes when I go back into my application the XP machine thinks the windows key is depressed and as soon as I type an "L" the computer is locked and my password will NOT unlock it.

If I type a "U" I get a popup about accessibility or some such. If I then press and release the windows key everything will be fine until I leave and come back (but not always when I come back).

Thoughts anyone?

My best guess is try a different keyboard. I simply disabled my windows key(see earlier post for link to instructions on doing this) until I was able to replace my keyboard, and upon replacing my keyboard, the problem went away.

I noticed that repeatedly tapping the windows key temporarily fixed the problem and I could use my keyboard again for a few minutes, but eventually it got to the point that it thought it was just being held down.

 

[daSpud]

thanks for the suggestion, but it has nothing to do with the keyboard. I tracked it a bit further. When I resume from sleep the first keystrokes into the XP Mode virtual machine are assumed to be with the windows key attribute too. Thus if I type a "U" I get the action of a WindowsKey-U. Disaster strikes if I type an "L" because that locks the virtual machine and it will not recognize my password. But I just thought of something -- maybe it won't because it thinks the windowkey is down.

My solution so far is to remember immediately upon resuming from sleep is to press the windows key. this will popup the start menu on my actual machine and I believe I will not have any problems until I sleep again. The windows key performs its normal tasks after that.

 

[jayson72]

hi I am having the same problem, I never use any windows shortcut like win+L to lock or switch user yet every time I press the l it automatically locks my computer, I tried using external keyboard but the problem also occurs not to mention that even on the safe mode my keyboards buttons are going crazy. I even tried reinstalling my os, any idea?

 

[seekermeister]

Could it be the the key is actually physically sticking? If so, pop it off with knife, or something that works appropriately, clean any debris in or around the key socket. You might even consider using a very small amount of lubricant on the outside of the socket to improve key movement. A Q-Tip is useful for cleaning and lubricating.

 

[spice3d]

I spend hours trying different solutions and lucked out on a solution that worked for me. Basically I just swapped keyboard while Windows was running. My full write up is at