Keyboard special character problems

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Level 1

4 points

Keyboard special character problems

Hi everybody, im trying to fix a problem that arose when my Mac updated to Ventura. My keyboard's special accents and characters function is not working.

I have read this page here where a similar problem is explained: Special character problems - Apple Community and understood that the problem can be fixed according to this advice:

"I've just got the answer to this from Apple. Go into Settings, Keyboard and make sure the Key Repeat slider is set to Slow and the Delay Until Repeat slider is set to Short. That fixes it. If the keyboard is working too fast, the menu won't appear." (found here: https://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/os_x_lion_using_and_disabling_the_character_picker)

Once I set my key repeat to slow, it fixes it, but I can only type then mega slow, so it is not an option for me since this is my work computer.

Any chance there are other options possible? I've also tried to insert in Terminal this sentence:

"defaults write -g ApplePressAndHoldEnabled -bool TRUE"

but it didn't work...

thanks!

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 10.14

Posted on Oct 6, 2023 8:26 AM

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Answer 1

Old Toad

Level 10

215,268 points

Oct 6, 2023 10:11 AM in response to teresolas

Give this a try: boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.

NOTE 1: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following;

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files

NOTE 2: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will insure a successful boot into Safe Mode.

Have you installed and run any "cleaning", "optimizing", "speed-up", anti-virus or VPN apps on your Mac?

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Answer 2

Tom Gewecke

Level 10

122,052 points

Oct 6, 2023 11:15 AM in response to teresolas

teresolas wrote:

Once I set my key repeat to slow, it fixes it, but I can only type then mega slow,

Does putting the key repeat at any of the speeds between slow and fast always stop the accent menu from appearing? That is really odd. Only putting it on Off should do that.

MacOS Accent Menu Has Disappeared - Apple Community

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Keyboard special character problems

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