Keyboard typing wrong characters

Question

Keyboard typing wrong characters

Hello there,

Im at my wits end. I can go no further. Keyboard is demolishing me. I’ve done the SMC/PRAM resets. Nothing. Keyboard is set to US input. Nothing.

I cleaned the keyboard with a Clorox wipe with the computer on. I hit some combination of keys that lead to this painful anomaly.

Just for kicks I ran my hands over the keyboard again hitting random combinations of keys. It changed what happens again. Different combinations of letters/symbols on each key stroke. Please help.

Doug

Late 2014 Mac mini with wired apple keyboard (A1243)

Posted on Jan 17, 2019 9:15 AM

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Answer 1

Tom Gewecke

Level 10

121,998 points

Jan 17, 2019 10:03 AM in response to douglasphansen

Please tell us specifically what happens when you type asdfghjk. Just type it right here. Without some info on what "wrong" means in your particular case, it really hard to be of any help.

Also if possible try another keyboard. If that works ok, it's likely the original one is damaged.

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Answer 2

Tom Gewecke

Level 10

121,998 points

Jan 19, 2019 12:44 PM in response to douglasphansen

It’s not very clear from what you typed what is wrong. Does everything on the second row work ok except that typing l produces jl?

try another keyboard. If it works right, the first one is damaged.

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Answer 3

Tom Gewecke

Level 10

121,998 points

Jan 19, 2019 1:32 PM in response to douglasphansen

could I have activated some weird mapping?

No, no mapping acts that way. Presumably this is mechanical damage.

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Answer 4

Jan 19, 2019 1:23 PM in response to lllaass

So, many keys when struck are showing two keys being activated at the same time. Is this problem only physical or could I have activated some weird mapping?

o and u activate each other.

j and l activate each other.

m and . activate each other.

all affected keys are separated by 1 key between them. Coincidence? Mapping?

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Answer 5

Jan 19, 2019 11:40 AM in response to Tom Gewecke

qwertyuoipoup

asdfghjlk;jl

zxcvbnm.

1234567980790

Ajljl 3 rouws of jletters and the rouw ouf noum.bers ^

Physical problem with keyboard or firmware?

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Answer 6

ProbsRus

Level 4

1,126 points

Jan 17, 2019 4:31 PM in response to douglasphansen

In addition to the request for additional information made by Tom (Unfortunately we cannot read your mind to determine what you are experiencing), check to make sure you didn't accidentally enable the MouseKeys feature.

Here's an excerpt from the Apple article:

If your Apple wireless mouse, keyboard, or trackpad isn't working as expected - Apple Support

If you enable the Mouse Keys feature, many keys might not respond as you expect. Here's how to turn off Mouse Keys:

In OS X 10.8 or later, choose Apple menu > System Preferences. Click on Accessibility, then choose Mouse & Trackpad from the list on the left side. Then deselect the Enable Mouse Keys checkbox.
In OS X 10.7.5 or earlier, choose Apple menu > System Preferences. Click on Universal Access, then select the Mouse & Trackpad tab. Then select the Off button next to Mouse Keys.

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Answer 7

lllaass

Level 10

210,513 points

Jan 19, 2019 12:14 PM in response to douglasphansen

Open the keyboard viewer

http://www.imore.com/how-use-keyboard-viewer-your-mac

and what does show depressed when you depress and"bad" key.

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Keyboard typing wrong characters

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