Fix Repeating Keys With These Tips

Get rid of an annoying problem easily

If you’ve ever had a repeating key, you will know how annoying it can be. Every time you have to double back to erase a duplicate “i” or “s,” you lose a little time. It may even interfere with your thought flow, killing your productivity throughout the day.

The good news is that repeating keys are typically easily fixed, especially if it ends up being a hardware problem. Here are a few troubleshooting steps to take to fix those pesky repeat letters.

Start

Simple

As with any computer issue, it’s important to tackle the simplest troubleshooting steps first. If you have another keyboard, plug it in and start typing.

This will help you narrow down whether your existing keyboard is the problem.

Clean & Repair Keys

The next fairly simple step is to clean your keyboard. You should already give your computera thorough cleaningon a fairly regular basis, but your keyboard is especially prone to dirt.

Shut the computer down and turn the keyboard upside down to shake out any loose debris. Wipe the keys down and used canned air to loosen any dirt that might be trapped. You can then turn the keyboard upside down again to eliminate what the canned air has dislodged.

If that doesn’t do the trick, you may need to remove the keys that are repeating and clean beneath them with a cotton swab.

Run

Operating System Updates

If you haven’t updated your system recently, a quick operating system update can never hurt. On a Windows 10 machine, go toStart > Settings > Update and Security > Windows Update.

For MacOS, click on the Apple icon in the upper-left corner and chooseApp Store>Updates.You can alsouse a program like Windows Driver Booster to check for any outdated keyboard drivers and make them current.

Check

System Configuration

Once you’ve physically inspected your keyboard and ruled that cause out, it’s time to check your system configuration. To do this, you’ll need toboot your computer in safe mode.

Only essential programs run when you’re in safe mode, so you can try typing in that mode and see if the problem persists. If it does, it’s likely a software issue.

Turn

Off Key Repeat

On Mac laptops, there’s a setting called Key Repeat designed to allow you to press on a key and hold it to type the same letter over and over until you release it. If you’re experiencing duplicate keys on more than one key, this could be the culprit.

TypeKeyboardin the Spotlight Search bar to open your keyboard settings. In the Keyboard tab, toggle Key Repeat toOff.

Reset

to Default

In Windows 10, you canreset your keyboardto its factory settings. Go toWindows Settings > Time & Language > Region and Language. There, you’ll add a new language, make that new language the primary one, then move English back to the top. This will reset the keyboard.

With a Mac, you can reset your keyboard by resetting the Mac SMC. The easiest way to do this is to remove the battery, press and hold the power button for five seconds, and reinstall the battery. ChooseApple > Shut Down.

Once your computer is off, press the Shift, Control, and Option keys while pressing the power button at the same time. Hold for ten seconds, then release all keys. When you press your power button again, your computer will boot up.

Technology writer whose work has appeared on Techwalla, Dell’s TechPageOne, and Dataversity, among many others. She worked in information systems for the State of Tennessee for 13 years, including several years as a help desk manager.Read Stephanie’s Full Bio

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Fix Repeating Keys With These Tips#

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