Hello! I use to use my left option key very often to skip over words to get where I needed to be fast, or delete entire words. However the behavior of this key has changed and I don't know what caused it. Instead of just jumping through words, it jumps and highlights them. Additionally, if I hold option+delete it will not delete the word. Is there any way I can fix this?
MacBook Air 13″, macOS 14.4
It sounds like the behavior of your Option key has changed unexpectedly. Here are a few things you can try to resolve this issue on your Mac:
1.Check Keyboard Settings:
Open System Preferences and go to Keyboard settings. Click on the Keyboard tab, then check the settings for Modifier Keys in the Keyboard shortcuts. Make sure the Option key is set to its default behavior.
Also, you can explore other options to ensure no new key bindings or shortcuts have been assigned that might be interfering with the usual behavior.
2.Reset Keyboard Preferences:
Sometimes, corrupt preferences files can cause unexpected keyboard behavior. Resetting them might help:
Close any open applications. Open Finder, and go to Library/Preferences/.
Find and move files related to keyboard settings (like com.apple.keyboardtype.plist or any other similar files) to the desktop or another folder for backup.
Restart your Mac. This will reset keyboard preferences to default, and new preferences files will be created. If this fixes the problem, you can delete the old files. If not, you can restore them from your backup.
3.Inspect Accessibility Settings:
Sometimes, accessibility settings might alter how the keyboard behaves:
Go back to System Preferences and select Accessibility.
Check options under Keyboard to see if any settings might be affecting the Option key's behavior.
4.Check for Software Conflicts:
Consider if you've recently installed any new software that could be interfering with keyboard inputs. Sometimes, applications can alter or override default key functions.
Temporarily disable or uninstall recent software to see if that resolves the issue.
It sounds like the behavior of your Option key has changed unexpectedly. Here are a few things you can try to resolve this issue on your Mac:
1.Check Keyboard Settings:
Open System Preferences and go to Keyboard settings. Click on the Keyboard tab, then check the settings for Modifier Keys in the Keyboard shortcuts. Make sure the Option key is set to its default behavior.
Also, you can explore other options to ensure no new key bindings or shortcuts have been assigned that might be interfering with the usual behavior.
2.Reset Keyboard Preferences:
Sometimes, corrupt preferences files can cause unexpected keyboard behavior. Resetting them might help:
Close any open applications. Open Finder, and go to Library/Preferences/.
Find and move files related to keyboard settings (like com.apple.keyboardtype.plist or any other similar files) to the desktop or another folder for backup.
Restart your Mac. This will reset keyboard preferences to default, and new preferences files will be created. If this fixes the problem, you can delete the old files. If not, you can restore them from your backup.
3.Inspect Accessibility Settings:
Sometimes, accessibility settings might alter how the keyboard behaves:
Go back to System Preferences and select Accessibility.
Check options under Keyboard to see if any settings might be affecting the Option key's behavior.
4.Check for Software Conflicts:
Consider if you've recently installed any new software that could be interfering with keyboard inputs. Sometimes, applications can alter or override default key functions.
Temporarily disable or uninstall recent software to see if that resolves the issue.
JoyousCaribou48 wrote:
I use to use my left option key very often to skip over words to get where I needed to be fast, or delete entire words.
Do mean option right arrow and option delete? Has that stopped working in all apps or just some of them?
Do you by any chance have the Uniode Hex input source on your input source list?
Hi. Thank you for reaching out in Apple Community.
Due to the changed behavior of your option key, I only can assume that it is the software problem.
First of all, did you recently update your mac to a newer version of OS? This may cause in different function of the key.
Secondly, go to system settings, “Keyboards”, and “Modifier Keys” to check if the option key has different keys assigned to it.
Thanks.
Thank you for your reply! However, my MacBook has the latest update already installed and the modifier keys are all set to their default values. Are there any other potential solutions to troubleshoot? Thank you.
I am not sure. I don't even know how to access that list.
JoyousCaribou48 wrote:
I am not sure. I don't even know how to access that list.
System settings / keyboard / text input / edit / input sources
Option key acting abnormal on MacBook
