My Mac is acting like a key is stuck

I solved the problem on mine. I have a MacBook Pro I bought new in August, 2013. I am running Mavericks 10.9.4.

I must have pressed some key combinations that acted like a shortcut command. Suddenly the character "y" kept repeating. Then the Enter key wouldn't work when I was trying to search in various browsers. I tried to uninstall some software to diagnose the problem, but every time I tried to type my password, it kept repeating ..................

So in System Preferences > Keyboard, under Key Repeat, it was on Fast (not sure how it got there. I turned it off, and now everything works OK.

I am having the same issues with my 6 year old mac. While i haven't tried the reset options as described above, i did find something else on another forum that seems to have (for now) solved my problem. The poster suggested that there may be another wireless keyboard within in range of the mac that is causing the problem. This was true in my case, i have a small wireless keyboard i use with my ipad sometimes and removed the batteries...as i was also getting the low battery warning ( which i thought was odd, because i use a corded one with the mac). hopefully, that other keyboard was the cause.

will update if the problem persists!

This is the information I received from Wacom:

First, disconnect the tablet from the computer and remove the driver using the Wacom Utility. After removing the driver with the utility, you can manually check to see if anything is left behind in the following folders. So while in our desktop we want to click on ‘Go’ (upper left corner), then on ‘Computer’. Once inside, please access your main hard drive (by default should be named Macintosh HD). Once we’re here anything that’s related to Wacom, would need to be removed from the folders. The same will have to be checked in any respective User’s folder on the system. On OS X 10.7 Lion or later, the User Library folder has been hidden. To access it, you must select 'Go' from the top of Finder and select 'Go to folder...’. Here, enter ' ~/Library ' to access the current user's Library folder. Please check for Wacom related files and remove them from inside the next folders:

• Applications/Wacom Tablet
• Library/Application Support/Tablet
• Library/Frameworks/WacomMultiTouch.framework
• Library/Internet Plugins/WacomTabletPlugin.plugin
• Library/Launch Agents/com.wacom.wacomtablet.plist
• Library/LaunchDaemons/com.wacom.displayhelper.plist
• Library/LaunchDaemons/com.wacom.RemoveTabletHelpter.plist
• Library/LaunchDaemons/com.wacom.TabletHelper.plist
• Library/PreferencePanes/WacomTablet.prefpane
• Library/Preferences/Tablet
• Library/PriveledgedHelperTools/com.wacom.RemoveTabletHelper
• Library/PriveledgedHelperTools/com.wacom.TabletHelper
• Users//Library/Preferences/com.wacom.ProfessionalTablet.plist
• Users//Library/Preferences/com.wacom.wacomtablet.prefs
• Users//Library/Preferences/com.wacom.wacomtouch.prefs

After this is complete then there should not be any leftover files of a previous Wacom driver file. A restart and a repair of your disk permissions would be important steps before installing a driver. Again, make sure that the tablet is plugged directly into the computer, not into a USB hub or keyboard/monitor.Next, please proceed with the driver installation:A restart will be required after installing the driver, please make sure to close and save all your work before following these instructions.

• Disconnect the tablet from the computer
• Download and install the driver from:
• http://cdn.wacom.com/u/productsupport/drivers/mac/professional/WacomTablet_6.3.1 5-3.dmg

As always, make sure your tablet is connected directly to your computer. Avoid using USB hubs, keyboard/monitor ports, or docking stations with the tablets, as they can cause inconsistent behavior.

I've been suffering with this problem on my 13-inch 2015 macbook pro for 6 months for now, i just found a possible solution to this, i changed my keyboard layout and it worked for me. i am leaving the virtual keyboard active for a time to see if it back to acting weird, just to check, but i think i solved it.

I have the same issue controlling my late 2015 27" iMac in my office with an older MacBook Pro at home. When I had the old Mac Pro tower (before the iMac), there was never an issue. Plus I always use wired keyboards and Logitech USB mice, which never caused any problem.

As soon as I got my MacPro (that could not update anymore) replaced with this crappy iMac at work the problems started. You can see in the Keyboard Viewer on the iMac that when I press any single key like command or option from my MBP, the Keyboard Viewer on the iMac shows all the modifier keys and FN key light up and stay that way. I have to hit random keys to get them unstuck temporarily, like for a second until you hit the next key. Trying to type in a text box in InDesign is nearly impossible. While the text tool is selected, it only wants to stretch the text box which skews it, like someone is holding keys down at the other end. I have disconnected everything (keyboard, mouse, bluetooth) from iMac and I have tried using different keyboard/mouse combination on this end making no difference whatsoever. This has to be something messed up with screen sharing no doubt as all keys and controls work fine for each computer locally.

Apple's geniuses have no clue after discussing it with them. They just want me to bring in the iMac to a center; but I can certainly reinstall everything myself—which is what they would probably recommend anyway. And more than likely since this iMac had a clean install, the issue would probably still be there after all that trouble.

Do you have a Wacom tablet? I received very specific information from Wacom on how to completely uninstall the Wacom drivers and all of the preference files. This fixed the problem on my work system. I don't know if I'm allowed to share all of what they sent me. It really did help.

Hi Scott,

I noticed your answer and was wondering if you mean that the "stuck" key was caused by your Wacom tablet? I had at home the same annoying problem when I was using my MacBook Pro while at work it never happend. I now have a new 21" iMac with the wireless keyboard 2 and the same problem occurs.

Until now I tried looking at wifi signals and stuff which might cause the issue until I read your post because I do use a USB connected Intuos 4 tablet of Wacom, at work I use a smaller Intuos 5 and I do not have the issue here but the problem only happens when I indeed connect the Wacom tablet (intuos 4) on my MacBook Pro or iMac and use a wireless keyboard...

If this is indeed the failing setup... do you then have a solution as well (beside not using the tablet anymore)?

Regards,

Nico

Try doing a SMC reset and PRAM reset, you may need to do each 2x. If the problem persists you may have a keyboard with a stuck key, in that case it's covered by warranty. If you have AppleCare give them a call and they can also help you troubleshoot the problem and if necessary arrange a replacement keyboard.

SMC RESET

• Shut down the computer.
• Unplug the computer's power cord and all peripherals.
• Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds.
• Release the power button.
• Attach the computers power cable.
• Press the power button to turn on the computer.

PRAM RESET

• Shut down the computer.
• Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
• Turn on the computer.
• Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.
• Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
• Release the keys.

BTW you also may want to restart in Safe Mode, it's possible you may have a corrupt cache file. This will clear some of the caches.

It that took care of it chances are it's fixed. After you are satisfied please use the legend to your right, it could help other users in the future.

Hey there,

I have the same Mac and recently started experiencing the same problem! Were you ever able to resolve it??

Thanks,

Toni

Having the same problem with a brand new iMac. Every half hour, when I don't use it, it's gonna beep. I've checked with the keyboard viewer and the F5 key seems stuck, but rebooting without touching the keyboard removes the issue (for another half hour) so I'm not that sure it's a keyboard hardware issue. No other wireless keyboard around.