Alt/option key turns off keyboard input

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Level 1

4 points

Alt/option key turns off keyboard input

Hi-

it seems that if I press the alt (option) key 5 times quickly, it disables my keyboard. It also seems to happen if I hold the option key for an extended period of time, it happens a lot while I use Photoshop.

It completely stops all keyboard input, essentially breaking the keyboard until I press it a bunch again to get it working. I can't find out how to disable this in any of the keyboard/accessibility settings so I came here for help.

-also, it happens with integrated MBP keyboard & my bluetooth one, so it's not specific to a keyboard. Seems to be a computer issue.

Thanks!

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on May 29, 2016 10:53 PM

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Answer 1

MilesBT Author

Level 1

4 points

May 30, 2016 1:18 PM in response to seventy one

Thanks for the reply, the fix was actually in that pane but not that option.

For any others experiencing this, the fix was under System preferences > Accessibility > Interacting: Mouse and Trackpad > and next to the "Enable Mouse Keys" there is an options button. I deselected the setting at the top titled "Press the option key five times to toggle Mouse Keys" and so that fixed it.

Not sure what Mouse Keys is but glad it's fixed.

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Answer 2

seventy one

Level 7

27,476 points

May 30, 2016 12:00 PM in response to MilesBT

It says that because you haven't updated your profile. You should as soon as you can. Any questions are helped by accurate info.

El Capitan has its own mouse which was designed for the system. The old mice still function but not always completely.

But you could try this.

Go to Systems Prefs > Accessability > scroll down to interacting (mouse + Keyboard) and check the box 'Ignore built in trackpad when mouse is present'.

This disables the built in trackpad and allows you to type freely.

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Answer 3

seventy one

Level 7

27,476 points

May 30, 2016 8:48 AM in response to MilesBT

Are you still using 10.6.8 Snow Leopard?

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Answer 4

MilesBT Author

Level 1

4 points

May 30, 2016 11:25 AM in response to seventy one

No, sorry I am not sure why it says that. I'm on El Capitan 10.11.3 but this has been happening for at least a year now, I just haven't bothered to find a fix.

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