Buggy caps lock input sources changing

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Level 1

15 points

Buggy caps lock input sources changing

Hi, I'm running latest mac os catalina on 2019 macbook pro 15", and selected caps lock to change the input sources. The feature itself is great, but the way it works (and the way it doesn't) is really very annoying.

To demonstrate what happens I'll click capslock and nearest key 'a' to it slowly:

aфaфaфaфaфaфaфaфaф

This is what I expect to happen. But if I do it at normal typing speed, the results are completely random. It can switch the input source, it can do nothing, it also can just turn CAPS mode on:

aaaaaaaфффaaaaaaaaaaффaфФффaaaAaaA

Which makes me wasting a lots of time, because as a programmer I have to switch between input layouts very often.

Any ideas how to fix this?

MacBook Pro 15”, macOS 10.15

Posted on Oct 29, 2019 12:12 AM

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Answer 1

MoonJ.

Community Specialist

Nov 4, 2019 4:19 PM in response to vstiff

vstiff,

Thanks for getting back to us with those additional details. I understand that input sources aren’t working as expected.

As a starting point, be sure your preferences are selected correctly as described here: Change Keyboard Input Sources preferences on Mac

From there, make sure that your Caps Lock key is set to the lock modifier and that you don’t have any other shortcuts bound to the Caps Lock key. To check, head into System Preferences > Keyboard > Input Sources. Here’s a visual guide: Type in another language on your Mac with input sources

Lastly, testing the issue in a new user account or in safe mode may provide additional clues.

Have a great rest of your day.

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Answer 2

Joseph_S.

Community Specialist

Nov 3, 2019 2:38 PM in response to vstiff

Hello vstiff,

Thank you for posting in the Apple Support Communities. From my understanding, symbols aren’t appearing as expected when typing at normal speed, and I’m here for you.

First, click on System Preferences > Keyboard > Keyboard, then ensure that Key Repeat is set to fast. If needed, try adjusting that setting to see if that helps.

Additionally, I suggest completing the steps in the section, “Your keyboard has one or more keys that don't respond” here:

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

From there, consider whether this happens in multiple apps, or only in one app in particular. If this happens in multiple Apple apps, try booting into safe mode or into a new user account to see if the issue persists:

Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac

How to test an issue in another user account on your Mac

I hope this information is useful. Kind regards.

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Answer 3

vstiff Author

Level 1

15 points

Nov 6, 2019 2:16 AM in response to MoonJ.

SORRY FOR CAPS BUT I CAN'T TURN IT OFF NOW. BOTH WITH SHIFT KEY, HOLDING CAPS ETC. IF ANYONE CAN EDIT IT THIS MESSAGE PLEASE DO.

HI MOONJ.

I'VE TRIED EVERYTHING YOU SUGGESTED EXCEPT FOR NEW USER ACCOUNT, THAT SEEMS JUST TOO MUCH WASTING OF MY TIME, SINCE THE ISSUE STARTED FROM DAY ONE OF FRESH CATALINA INSTALL ON A MAC I JUST BOUGHT.

AFTER SOME TESTING THE CAPS MODE LOCKED FOREVER. HOPE REBOOT WILL HELP AND I WON'T NEED TO PURCHASE NEW LAPTOP.

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Answer 4

vstiff Author

Level 1

15 points

Nov 3, 2019 11:52 PM in response to Joseph_S.

Hi Joseph_S. Thank you for reply, but I'm really not sure how any of what you wrote is related to my problem.

All keys are working, all symbols are appearing, key repeat doesn't affect this, and shouldn't because I'm not holding any single key for it to start repeating.

I stated the issue in original post, and can quote one more time: "But if I do it at normal typing speed, the results are completely random. It can switch the input source, it can do nothing, it also can just turn CAPS mode on".

The steps to reproduce the problem are quite trivial: install fresh Catalina, add alternate input source, set Caps lock to switch input sources, and try using it in daily typing.

On my previous mac I used mac os 10.11 with Seil and it worked quite okay, missing layout switches just occasionally, usually only on high cpu load. But Apple being true to themselves broke it in later version of os x, I tried the Karabiner-Elements, but it seems to work even worse than built-in caps lock input source switch.

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Buggy caps lock input sources changing

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