Macbook Pro Keyboard Keys Suddenly Have Multiple Functions

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Macbook Pro Keyboard Keys Suddenly Have Multiple Functions

I got my battery and connector replaced today, and now that I'm home my keyboard is a mess. The tab key increases brightness, the delete key decreases brightness, the space key turns up the backlight on the keyboard, the brightness key functions as a tab key... and all the keys also retain their original functions. And if I hit apple space for spotlight, it changes my keyboard language.

What is wrong? I tried resetting the PRAM and SMC to no effect. I've restarted the laptop. I've reset the keyboard to default. Does anyone have any ideas how to fix this?

MacBook Pro 13″, OS X 10.11

Posted on Dec 9, 2022 8:56 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Tom Gewecke

Level 10

121,986 points

Dec 9, 2022 9:58 AM in response to skarachi

skarachi wrote:

Command space is just one of the messed up operations.

It's not really as messed up as the rest. It's perfectly normal on many systems. More recent MacOS versions use Control Space instead. In any case, you should check the Shortcuts section in Keyboard preferences to make sure changing input sources and spotlight are set correctly.

For the others, one thing to do is to go to your Accessibility preferences and make sure that Full Keyboard Access is turned OFF.

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Answer 2

Dec 9, 2022 9:04 AM in response to skarachi

You might have stuck modifier key. Use this to see if any key showing pressed all the time:

Use the Keyboard Viewer on Mac - Apple Support

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Answer 3

Tom Gewecke

Level 10

121,986 points

Dec 9, 2022 10:31 AM in response to skarachi

Try an external keyboard (doesn't have to be from apple)

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Answer 4

Tom Gewecke

Level 10

121,986 points

Dec 9, 2022 9:10 AM in response to skarachi

Command space to change keyboard is an older Mac default. Change it in system prefs/keyboard/shortcuts if you want something else.

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Answer 5

skarachi Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 9, 2022 9:16 AM in response to Tom Gewecke

Sorry, I think you've missed the point. My keys all suddenly seem to have dual functions. I can't type without opening something else, or changing my brightness and backlit settings (have now had to reset my brightness about 5 times because every time I hit delete, the brightness goes down). Command space is just one of the messed up operations.

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Answer 6

skarachi Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 9, 2022 10:13 AM in response to Tom Gewecke

Yup, input sources are off, spotlight shortcuts are on. Full Keyboard Access is off for Accessibility.

I am discovering new key operations as I type. I can reduce backlighting by pressing the function key now. And even though the brightness and tab keys seem to both work as 'tab' and 'increase brightness', the reduce brightness key doesn't delete, which is some consolation. What magical key combination can fix this issue, whatever it is?

It's very difficult to type when the brightness keeps adjusting, since it brings up the level on screen and blocks my view. I really need this fixed. Please!

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Answer 7

skarachi Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 9, 2022 9:13 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Hi Grant. I just checked. There are no modifier keys stuck on the Keyboard Viewer. And I just found out that the left arrow opens up iTunes.

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Macbook Pro Keyboard Keys Suddenly Have Multiple Functions

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