Ctrl keys stuck on all the time, how to turn off?

[AOD_Anvil]

Hey friends

My computer is acting like my ctrl key is constantly pressed, only it's not. Makes my computer unusable. I opened the on screen keyboard to see when it's getting de-pressed, and at times it's depressed even when the physical keyboard is unplugged so I don't think it's the board, feels software related. Started late last night and I've spent allllll day working on it.

Here's what I've tried:
-unplug and replug keyboard, change keyboard usb port
-Ctrl Alt del then ESC
-Press both ctrl keys for 10sec
-update keyboard driver software
-remove keyboard driver from device manager
-download third party software to disable the Ctrl key in the registry
-system restore to last known good configuration before problems began
-windows system recovery (soft format)
-Turn off sticky keys and all keyboard related accessibility settings.
-turn off depressed key in the on screen keyboard (doesn't work at all)
-repeatedly tap the Ctrl keys
-physically remove and clean keyboard ctrl keys with compressed air

The only other thing I can think to do is securely erase the SSD and do a full secure erase format of the drive and then fresh install windows to maybe fix some deep rooted issue in the core of windows but I'd rather not if I don't have to because no guarantee of fix.

Any ideas?
Thanks in advance

[AOD_LTCaveman]

by chance is this a 'gaming' keyboard (or do you have a gaming mouse)?

One thing that sometimes gets me, is that I use a Razer Orbweaver, and sometimes I'll put something to the side of my keyboard and it will hit one of the buttons on this.

Another thing to check if it is a gaming keyboard, remove the software (for example, if its Razer remove Synapse)

How easy can you duplicate this?
Reliably? alright... try safemode, does it happen there?

[AOD_Anvil]

It happens on every use of the computer so easily duplicated
I tried removing and then reinstalling the software and drivers and no dice
It's a Logitech 910 gaming keyboard.
The ctrl key was depressed on the OSK when I had the keyboard physically unplugged so I don't think it's the board itself, which is new within 4 years. Gonna borrow a keyboard from someone to test it to be sure.
I haven't tried safe mode yet. I will test that this evening after work. Thanks for your help.

[AOD_LTCaveman]

No worries;
Another thing to try would be a 'clean boot' (https://support.microsoft.com/en-hk/...oot-in-windows) and see if that helps.

[AOD_Anvil]

Update:
Reinstalled software
Tried alternative keyboard
Safe mode
Clean boot
Windows Reset
Formatted hard drive and did a clean install of Windows

Still there. I really, really thought the format of the SSD would fix it.

This makes me think it's hardware after all, but maybe not the keyboard itself. I'm wondering if the USB ports on the mobo could be having a physical problem.

I'm not sure how to test that or go about fixing the problem now. Any advice?

[Bowser6666]

Have you uninstalled any logitech gaming software? That could be causing a conflict. Also look at rmeoving any RGB lighting related software as well. Remove it and see if that fixes the keyboard issue. Also look for any software that might put your keyboard into a "gaming mode" because those profiles can lock certain keys to avoid activateing certain features that could interfere with "game Mode" . Hope this helps.

[AOD_Anvil]

Yes I tried that, didnt work. Dont have other RGB lighting at this time. I am less confident that its software related because i did a full format of windows and the problem persisted. Im still getting this issue now, it takes about 3 or 4 reboots then it seems to sort itself for a few hours before coming back. Its seemingly random which makes me think a hardware component may be failing.

[AOD_SpikeTsu]

I didn't see that you tried a different keyboard - I'd try that next, if not.

Also, have you checked that Sticky Keys are not turned on? (under "Ease of Access keyboard settings") These can be turned on inadvertently.

[AOD_Anvil]

Yes I tried a separate keyboard, that didnt work. Same with sticky keys.

Latest is, using the front usb port it is good for about 10min then happens and if i reboot it 3-5 times then it works for an hour or so before happening again. I honestly havent the foggiest what's causing it or how else to test. One person suggested i clear cmos so i just tried that now. we shall see.

Edit: no dice.

Safe mode with networking the issue happened again.


Also tried...
Logging in and out of windows
Bios clear
CMOS clear
Update bios version - so far no issues since doing this but could be coincidental. Further testing needed

[Bowser6666]

At this point I am fairly stumped. Ws going to suggest flashing bios but if that dioesn't work then I will haev to keep digging. Very strange that the standard fixes aren't working. It would definitely seem to point to hardware being the issue since reformat had no impact.

[AOD_Anvil]

Bios update didn't work. Still having the problem
Safe mode without networking didn't work either.
I agree. I'm gonna make a post on Microsofts website. There's at least 1 other guy who ran into this same thing this month.

[AOD_Anvil]

I made a post on the Microsoft forums. So far no one has responded :(

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...=1611765965067

[Bowser6666]

Here is a silly suggestion. Have you tried this keyboard on a different computer ?

[AOD_Anvil]

Not a silly suggestion. Yes I have and it worked fine. I also tried uninstalling all windows updates (Except the most recent security update that i cant uninstall) and that hasnt worked either. i might have to bite the bullet and try a different motherboard to see if that fixes it, but holy $300-500 spend for such a small thing. There must be a better way

[AOD_Nakisanye]

This is a fun and weird one. I think I had this problem once. I solved it with a refund.

Does it still happen if you replace your MOUSE? It is also an input device after all and could be the cause.

Is your keyboard wired or wireless? Do you have bluetooth enabled? Have you tried disabling it? Does this change anything?

Is it your left (virtual) control key or your right (virtual) control key? You can manually disable either with software.


Honestly this reminds me of a prank a hacker 'friend' used to pull. Like a prank virus. How is your firewall doing? Did you do a full scan of your system?
You say you formatted windows. Does this mean a full format of the disk and a complete re-install? Or did you sorta reset windows to factory settings?
There are (rootkit) viruses /malwares that can survive a full format.

[AOD_Anvil]

I will test the mouse tonight. Haven't tried it yet.

Keyboard is wired. I don't know about Bluetooth. I will check this tonight.

It's both control keys at the same time, and both have been disabled with no effect (problem persists)

I only have Windows defender. I don't have anything else. Any recommendations? I've used Malwarebytes in the past, and c-cleaner.

I did both a soft format to factory settings and a full format / reinstall. I did not know that there are viruses that can survive a full format. Worth looking into.

[AOD_Anvil]

Mouse = no affect
No Bluetooth on
CCleaner found 62 trackers + 14mb of junk to remove. I cleaned it. Rescanned, no issues. Rebooted, all issues had returned. Registry scan found 91 issues, I repaired and they remained gone after reboot.
Malwarebytes found and quarantined 13 items, all related to Chrome user data. All were quarantined with only one return after reboot.

Interesting outcome. The Ctrl keys are no longer a problem. Now it is the V key that is constantly pasting and the computer no longer acts as if the Ctrl key is pressed down. Just the V key. Riddle me that?

[Bowser6666]

Reinstall windows and let windows install keyboard driver. Do not use logitech software for keyboard.

[AOD_Nakisanye]

If you open up notepad or any word program, does it still happen? Does it look like its constantly pressing V or is it at salvos?

While keeping the word program centered, does it continue to press V when you physically unplug your keyboard?

I have been assuming this is a full sized desktop. Is it by any chance a laptop?

You said that it's different when using the front usb port, but eventually it happens again. Do you have separate both normal (probably usb2) as well as higher speed (usb3.1a) ports? IIRC usb3 can respond differently to devices. I dunno, it might be worth a longshot.

This last one actually works for some of my devices. Some of them act faulty at usb3 (who knows why, its old hardware but should that matter?), while another device wont work with usb2 (needs more power/speed)

[AOD_Anvil]

Its a desktop.
I've tried multiple usb ports including 2 and 3 on back of PC and 2 on front (no 3 on front)
Difference in ports was prior, that has no changed to this happens consistently regardless of port
Yes if I open notepad or word or discord etc it continuously presses vvvvvvvvvvvvvvv.
I haven't tested to see if it still pressed V when it's doing it and the keyboard is unplugged. Will try this tonight.