Member Avatar for omegaunit

it is a dell keyboard. it works until i log in. it is a school computer. it stopped working when i opened the stickey keys command (shift x 5) and clicked random things in options to make the keys make random noises when pressed (didnt work btw, i learned this when the kid next to me did it). now, the keyboard wont work when i log in. it will, however, let me multi select when i hold ctrl. there are student restrictions on the cpus and this dilema only arises when i use this specific computer. i am currently using a click-keyboard. is there any way i can reset the settings?

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Dani AI

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Short expert summary and focused steps based on the symptoms (: stopped after messing with Sticky Keys, keyboard works before login but not after, Ctrl still lets you multiselect). The most likely causes are Windows accessibility features (Sticky/Filter/Toggle Keys) or a per-user input/layout setting that was changed for that account. Filter Keys in particular can make the keyboard ignore brief or repeated keystrokes and often looks like a totally non-responsive keyboard to the user. (learn.microsoft.com)

Non-admin, quick checks you can try right now (no Control Panel or driver changes required):

  • Toggle FilterKeys: hold the RIGHT Shift key for ~8 seconds (this turns FilterKeys on/off).
  • Toggle StickyKeys: press Shift five times (shows the StickyKeys dialog).
  • Toggle ToggleKeys: hold NUM LOCK for ~5 seconds.
  • Toggle MouseKeys (numeric keypad becomes mouse): press LEFT ALT + LEFT SHIFT + NUM LOCK.
  • If typing suddenly looks wrong (wrong characters), try Left Alt + Left Shift (cycles keyboard layouts/languages).
    These are the built-in hotkeys for Windows accessibility features and for switching input language. Try them and test typing again after each toggle. (learn.microsoft.com)

If those toggles don’t fix it, isolate the problem before asking IT: booting into Safe Mode or logging in with a different/local account can tell you whether the fault is per-user (settings/startup app) or system-wide (drivers/devices). If the keyboard works in Safe Mode or under another account, it points to a user setting or a startup program. Use Safe Mode / Clean Boot to narrow down the culprit. (learn.microsoft.com)

If an admin can help, they can reset per-user accessibility keys (registry entries) or enforce policy to disable the hotkeys that triggered this. A common admin registry fix is to update the accessibility Flags values for StickyKeys / Keyboard Response / ToggleKeys (do not edit the registry without backup and permission). If changes are blocked by school policy, file a support request with the lab/IT staff and explain the exact steps you took (sticky-keys dialog + options) so they can revert the per-user settings or run an account-level reset. (learn.microsoft.com)

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Member Avatar for rubberman

A number of keyboards are "user programmable", by hitting various keys. Go to the Dell web site and see if there is a "reset" sequence available to reset the keyboard to factory settings.

Member Avatar for omegaunit

A number of keyboards are "user programmable", by hitting various keys. Go to the Dell web site and see if there is a "reset" sequence available to reset the keyboard to factory settings.

didnt work, i dont have enough access

Member Avatar for omegaunit

i forgot to mention that the internet has been virtually nazi'd. so lots of sites are banned

Member Avatar for M.B.

Go into the control panel if possible, select keyboard, in there reset the keyboard to default. If you cant get to control panel then you may be out of choices. The next step would be to connect a different keyboard.

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