The left control key and caps lock key have swapped functionality

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Level 2

263 points

The left control key and caps lock key have swapped functionality

I do not know what key combination I inadvertently hit, but at one point after using ⌃⌘Space to show the Character Viewer, the caps lock on my Matias Quiet Pro keyboard was activated (LED on). Pressing the caps lock key repeatedly failed to turn caps lock off. As the keys on mechanical keyboards may stick from time-to-time, so I made sure that the key was not sticking.

I then noticed that when I pressed the left control key, the caps lock was deactivated. More investigation led me to find out that the left control key is behaving as the caps lock key and the caps lock key is behaving like the control key. I was able to confirm this using the macOS Keyboard Viewer. The caps lock key registered as both control keys, the left control key toggled caps lock, and the right control key properly registered as a control key.

Searching the Internet, I found out that the modifier keys can have their functionality altered in the Keyboard system preferences. The problem is that the modifier keys are at their default settings.

I tried several other methods to resolve the issue including:

Unplugging the keyboard and then plugging it back in.
Restarting the computer.
Shutting down and then rebooting.
Resetting the NVRAM/PRAM.

The problem persisted after all of this. I then noticed that the Select keyboard in the Keyboard preferences was “USB Receiver” instead of “Matias Keyboard”, so I changed it to the proper keyboard. Selecting Matias Keyboard did not resolve the issue, and when I checked the Keyboard preferences for modifier keys, the Select keyboard reverted to USB Receiver.

Based on this, I figured something was conflicting with the RF receiver for my Logitech mouse. I unplugged the Logitech receiver an attached my trusty old wired Kensington Optical Pro mouse. The keyboard issue persisted, so the USB receiver was not the issue. As a last resort I tried this,

I set the Select keyboard to Matias Keyboard, and then swapped the settings for the caps lock and control keys as seen in the screenshot above. The result was the following:

The caps lock key works correctly, despite being mapped to the control keys.
The left control key works correctly, despite being mapped to the caps lock key.
The right control key incorrectly toggles the cap lock, as set in the Keyboard preferences.

The modifier keys preferences now seem to stay on Matias Keyboard for the select keyboard.

As I am left-handed, this is better than nothing, but if anyone has any insight as to why this is occurring, your input would be greatly appreciated.

iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on Mar 23, 2019 8:46 PM

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Answer 1

Barney-15E

Level 10

116,242 points

Mar 24, 2019 6:26 AM in response to mdawson69

Perhaps it is whatever software is required for the keyboard. Does it have any software to configure it?

What happens if you boot into Safe Mode? Are the keys still swapped? Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac - Apple Support

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Answer 2

mdawson69 Author

Level 2

263 points

Mar 24, 2019 9:15 AM in response to Barney-15E

Thanks for the reply. Matias keyboards work natively with Macs, so no special drivers are required. I have used Matias’ keyboards with my Macs for nearly 20 years without issue. I definitely should not need to have a 3rd party utility installed to get a keyboard that does not require a 3rd-party driver to function correctly. Thanks for the suggestion BDAqua, but I think that the course of action you suggest will only serve to add an additional level of complexity.

As I stated in my original post, I think that I hit some funky key combination that caused this problem. It would not be the first time I have pressed the wrong keys and had some unexpected result. I have a deadline to meet, so my workaround suits me for now, but once things slow down, I will see what happens in Safe Mode.

Thanks again, to both of you.

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Answer 3

mdawson69 Author

Level 2

263 points

Apr 9, 2019 12:43 PM in response to mdawson69

UPDATE

So I turned to Matias for support and they have been working with me to determine what is causing the problem. Interestingly, I was informed that there is a single DIP switch beneath the caps lock key. The up (⍓) and down (⍌) settings for the DIP switch are,

⍓ The caps lock key is up and the control key is down. Default setting for the key arrangement of US and most other international keyboard configurations where caps lock is the leftmost key in the middle row (R3) and the control key is in the same row as the spacebar (R1 or R4 depending on configuration).

⍌ The caps lock key is down and the control key is up. Setting for keyboards where the position of the caps lock and control keys are swapped.

As I have a US keyboard, the DIP switch is in the up position. I have tried the troubleshooting methods Matias suggested, so now I will need to use the keyboard with a Windows PC to see if the caps lock and control keys are being properly mapped. That test will determine if there is an underlying issue with macOS or the keyboard.

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Answer 4

mdawson69 Author

Level 2

263 points

Apr 19, 2019 4:23 PM in response to mdawson69

UPDATE 2

Well, earlier this week, the spacebar on my Matias Quiet Pro began acting up. When I pressed the spacebar spaces were continuously generated as if the key was stuck. I ran the gamut on mechanical keyboard troubleshooting to no avail, including tips offered by Matias support. Eventually, the space stopped registering altogether. So, in the end I received my brand new replacement Quiet Pro keyboard from Matias this afternoon free of charge.

Initially, I thought the DIP switch was incorrectly set, as the caps lock key was not responding, and then when I tried the control key, the caps lock key activated. I was about to pop the caps lock key, to change the switch position when I realized that the keyboard preferences were changed for the previous keyboard. After changing the Modifier Keys preferences for the keyboard, all is now good.

Much as with my experience with Apple support, Matias went out of their way to assist me in getting up and running again without the need to use my old Tactile Pro or the Magic keyboard that came with this iMac. I love my old Tactile Pro, which is still quite functional, but the keyboard layout is anachronistic at this point. With replacement of the key caps and extensive remapping of function keys in System Preferences, it would be a fine keyboard for anyone strictly working in macOS; I have a Windows 10 VM and Windows software often use function keys keyboard shortcuts far more than most macOS software, so without a Fn key to permit dual use of the function keys, conflicts would quickly arise.

As to the Magic keyboard… 😒 Since the early 2000s, I have found Apple’s input devices to be increasingly disappointing. I can understand the adoption of Chiclet-style keys on a laptop, particularly the ultra-thin models that are now readily available, but a desktop should have a real keyboard with sculpted keys that have good tactility. That design plays a major part in knowing where your fingers are even if you are not a touch typist. Come on Apple, at least offer a tactile keyboard as an option. 🥺

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