lifewebb

Q: Keyboard character 'i' not working properly

Using Shift key on left of wireless Mac keyboard i cannot get character 'i' to give me a capital version unless i hit Caps Lock and then I CAN GET IT! However the Shift key on the right side of keyboard is delivering normally for capitalizing a character.

 

Keyboard recently cleaned but was not doused....However there were other weird issues after the cleaning/powering down which are not quite cleared up yet. Have tried turning off bluetooth and turning back on, no difference.

 

i just tried following the Apple Support instructions for 'Your keyboard has one or more keys that don't respond' and not a single character responded on the the Keyboard Viewer thing in Preferences. So that was useless to me.

 

I am using a wireless Mac keyboard connected to a Mac Mini (late 2010 vintage with a new hard drive as from 2014). installed Capitan late September. Keyboard is a 2012 one if i remember correctly. Surely should run okay for a few more years??

 

Thanks for any tips.

Mac mini, OS X El Capitan (10.11)

Posted on Dec 29, 2015 2:26 PM

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Q: Keyboard character 'i' not working properly

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  • by seventy one,Helpful

    seventy one seventy one Jan 1, 2016 1:37 PM in response to lifewebb
    Level 6 (15,140 points)
    Peripherals
    Jan 1, 2016 1:37 PM in response to lifewebb

    Yes it ought to run okay for many years but I'm afraid your cleaning method may have damaged it.    You say it was not doused but any amount of liquid can have a detrimental effect.    Not doused may mean not soaked, but I am truly concerned for it.   It would be worth trying it with another computer to check if the problem repeats itself.

     

    The only way to clean a keyboard is with a brush with relatively stiff hairs.   You could, with great care, apply a cotton bud, lightly dampened with white vinegar, to the key tiles but only after disconnecting the board.    I hate to be negative but I think you may have to bite the bullet and replace it; chances are that it will worsen.

  • by ChitlinsCC,Helpful

    ChitlinsCC ChitlinsCC Jan 1, 2016 1:37 PM in response to lifewebb
    Level 5 (7,778 points)
    Notebooks
    Jan 1, 2016 1:37 PM in response to lifewebb

    I agree with our good friend seventy one... cleaning (improperly) likely did the deed.

    click "Peripherals" Big Button here > Cleaning your Apple products - Apple Support

     

    It does seem somewhat odd that the Left SHIFT key - PLUS - ONLY the " i " key is affected though

    Have you thoroughly explored "all" the Capitals? (hold left SHIFT > then go across the keyboard rows - one key at a time)

     

    The Keyboard PrefPanel being unresponsive is also troubling.

     

    Is the misbehavior apparent always? or only in certain apps?

  • by VikingOSX,

    VikingOSX VikingOSX Jan 1, 2016 12:48 PM in response to lifewebb
    Level 7 (20,904 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 1, 2016 12:48 PM in response to lifewebb

    I use no chemicals on my extended Apple keyboard.  I only apply a clean cloth that is lightly damp from medium hot water. I find that it cleans nicely, and the same keyboard has been operational since 2008 with no key aberrations.

  • by lifewebb,

    lifewebb lifewebb Jan 1, 2016 1:27 PM in response to seventy one
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 1, 2016 1:27 PM in response to seventy one

    Thanks seventy one and apology for slow reply due to New Year things. My keyboard has come back to normal, thank heavens ,so the extra expense of a new keyboard has been saved for now. Due note about cleaning taken, however, as this must have been the cause of erratic behavior.

  • by lifewebb,

    lifewebb lifewebb Jan 1, 2016 1:36 PM in response to ChitlinsCC
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 1, 2016 1:36 PM in response to ChitlinsCC

    Thank you ChitlinsCC - The problem has now resolved itself with time - drying out I presume. As for the comment about Keyboard Viewer, I made a mistake. I have discovered what is being referred to through the drop down menu for the keyboard on the top level menu items on the right of screen. There the Keyboard Viewer is to be found and is fully active when I press keys... So yet more learning accomplished, perhaps years late in coming...!

  • by lifewebb,

    lifewebb lifewebb Jan 1, 2016 1:38 PM in response to VikingOSX
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 1, 2016 1:38 PM in response to VikingOSX

    Thanks VikingOSX. Note taken!

  • by ChitlinsCC,

    ChitlinsCC ChitlinsCC Jan 1, 2016 3:47 PM in response to lifewebb
    Level 5 (7,778 points)
    Notebooks
    Jan 1, 2016 3:47 PM in response to lifewebb

    excellent!!

     

    the excess moisture made a "GOO" perhaps - still curious as to why only the SHIFT + " i " and not all the keys - it shall remain one of life's great mysteries...