Sometimes can't type symbols above numbers but shift key works

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Sometimes can't type symbols above numbers but shift key works

Every time that I first turn on my computer, I cannot type the symbols above the numbers on either my macbook pro keyboard or my bluetooth keyboard. This includes the dollar sign, exclamation point, at symbol, parenthesis...etc. The shift key does work because it capitalizes, but when I hit shift and the number, for example, SHIFT plus 1 to type the exclamation point, nothing happens. It eventually begins working again, sometimes after a restart or just after a few hours. I have no idea why and it's driving me crazy. Please help

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Oct 8, 2020 11:40 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Sharhari

Level 5

6,293 points

Oct 9, 2020 3:31 AM in response to lunalovebueno

Do you have different/multiple keyboard languages set? ( > System Preferences > Keyboard > Input Sources )

Use the Keyboard Viewer on Mac - Apple Support to check if you can type special character / symbols.

Please check if you have same behaviour in another new user / guest user.

Also check in safe mode. (How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support)

Note: Safe mode prevents your Mac from loading certain software as it starts up, including login items, system extensions not required by macOS, and fonts not installed by macOS. It also does a basic check of your startup disk, similar to using First Aid in Disk Utility. And it deletes some system caches, including font caches and the kernel cache, which are automatically created again as needed.

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Answer 2

Oct 28, 2020 6:58 AM in response to Sharhari

I have only one keyboard setup. I was finally able to boot in Safe Mode and I am able to type all of the characters. I forgot to mention that this behavior began once I did a complete reinstallation of the OS so that must have something to do with it. Should I try that again?

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Sometimes can't type symbols above numbers but shift key works

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