Keyboard Typing Same Character By Itself?

dilligaf7 · 21 Oct 2024 at 20:55

Can anyone tell me why all of a sudden my laptop has decided to randomly keep typing the character \ repeatedly as if I have my finger held down on that key.
I can get it to stop if I actually press that key but it starts doing it again soon after. I don’t think it’s dirt or anything as I replaced the keyboard about 6 months ago.
Although I have checked to the best of my ability and not found anything wrong could it possible be a virus causing it?

moppy89 · 21 Oct 2024 at 20:57

Have you cleaned it recently?

The_Arbiter · 21 Oct 2024 at 21:09

Probably a stuck key if it's always the same one. Some dirt after non intrusive cleaning can end up further wedged in.

dilligaf7 · 23 Oct 2024 at 13:07

I took my laptop apart and took the keyboard out then put it back in again after inspecting everything and it all looked good. I booted it back up again and it dose the same thing.
I then booted it up in safe mode and it doesn't make any difference, it is still typing the same character's "/////"
Does this give a glue to whether it's a software or hardware problem?

Sinbad2000 · 23 Oct 2024 at 13:12

dilligaf7 said:
I took my laptop apart and took the keyboard out then put it back in again after inspecting everything and it all looked good. I booted it back up again and it dose the same thing.
I then booted it up in safe mode and it doesn't make any difference, it is still typing the same character's "/////"
Does this give a glue to whether it's a software or hardware problem?

That's a different character - you managed to move the piece of dirt

darael · 23 Oct 2024 at 16:42

You could try giving the keyboard in some warm, soapy water and allowing it to dry for at least 24 hours somewhere warm (not hot or on a radiator). If you have a can of electrical contact cleaner, that might be worth a go too.

If cleaning the keyboard doesn't help, you'll probably need to buy a replacement keyboard.

dilligaf7 · 23 Oct 2024 at 17:18

Sinbad2000 said:
That's a different character - you managed to move the piece of dirt

lol, no it’s still doing /////

drakulton · 23 Oct 2024 at 17:20

disconnect the laptop keyboard and try a USB keyboard and see if it still has the issue.

dilligaf7 · 23 Oct 2024 at 17:27

Thanks for the suggestions people, I may try some of them but I decided to order another keyboard earlier on.
I’ll probably wait for that to come now before I open the laptop up again, will try and remember to keep everyone posted and let you know how I get on…

dilligaf7 · 24 Oct 2024 at 20:51

Haven’t received the new keyboard yet but just thought I’d let people know as you’ve been very helpful with suggestions that I decided to open the laptop up again and disconnect the keyboard ribbon.
I then used my micro wireless keyboard and everything works fine and no more characters typing by themselves so it proves it is a problem with the main integrated keyboard and I feel more at ease it isn’t a nasty virus.
Thanks again everyone :-)