Shift keys not working

Question

Both shift keys are not working. Ive tried other solutions, but none have worked. They sometimes work, like if im holding it and im pressing the 1 button, eventually an exclamation point will show up. This happens on both keys.

AdrianG001 · Accepted Answer

Please try to run Dell PC checkup which would help you detect system's hardware issue. Follow the below mentioned steps to run the test:-

1. Click on start – type Dell Support Center – please click on it.

2. Click on PC checkup on the top right corner.

3. Click on custom test.

4. Run test on keyboard.

5. Press both the shift keys which are not working, in case if it fails to respond it needs to be replaced in case if your system is in warranty.

krackleff · Accepted Answer

I may have found a band-aid solution although it make no sense.
I was getting the same issues as others above inside Windows 11 left shift and and left esc only working if I hit the keys at the exact time then stop working after 1 or 2 characters but in the BIOS there is a section to type in the Asset Tag and the keyboard worked perfectly there so I knew it wasn't physical.

I turned Sticky Keys on.

Yes, I had Sticky Keys off when I was in Windows and haven't used Sticky Keys a single time in my career but somehow its like its doing the opposite of what it says. I went into the deeper Sticky Keys menu and turned off the sound notification and others but with the main switch enabled in the top Keyboard menu I no longer have issues typing in caps or using ctrl options.

Mr. Unknown_74 · Accepted Answer

I finally got my shift keys working. I just ran the Dell SupportAssist performance tests and scans. It also updated my bios so that could also be the case.

Teleco2 · Answer

As soon as the warranty ran out on my dell laptop is when the shift keys stopped working. I too can keep pressing them and eventually it will work but is a pain in the butt. if this is how dell is going to do its customers by causing a simple but important issue to occur on their laptops as soon as the warranty runs out i'll be purchasing from another vendor rather than dell.

i have not run thru the steps above yet but there is no reason other than doing the final update when i was informed that my warranty was running out that this issue occurred. it was almost like dell did this on purpose. i have had no issues at all with the laptop until my warranty expired and i did the final update hours before the warranty expired. then all of a sudden my shift keys wouldn't work.

i can tell its a software issue for sure. it is definitely not the hardware. going to run thru the steps mentioned above but i have a feeling its not going to fix it and dell has already shown their response of you have to get a new keyboard so basically by a new laptop. That is completely unacceptable! i will buy a new laptop but i can assure you it will never ever again be a dell if this is the only recourse dell offers.

JocelynBB · Answer

I have safely removed the keys before to clean them out and I just checked to make sure sticky keys is off. I regularly do a system check and updates with the SupportAssist app so Im not sure what the problem could be.

JocelynBB · Answer

Hello,    Thank you for your suggestion. I tried the keyboard test and it passes it, but outside of the test it still isnt working. I tried the test a few times and the same thing happened.

coluccjj · Answer

I have the same problem on an Inspiron 11 3000 series.

Diagnostics said no problem

Both shift keys intermittently stop working after using the pc for a while. Attached external keyboard and it worked so assumed it was a hw problem - but if so then it would be unlikely that both shift keys would stop at the same time.

Tried to reinstall keyboard driver but reinstall in devices was greyed out.

Have you got any further?

thanks,

John

JocelynBB · Answer

I just reinstalls all the keyboard drivers and the same problem continues

Just feel like giving up now and I already got a bluetooth keyboard to use when I dont have time to wait for the shift keys to work

aminmojab · Answer

shift keys stop working , as you see can't use upper case in my writing which is frustrating. i have done all updated and re-installing but still not working ;-9

ieee488 · Answer

@aminmojab  it is a hardware problem keyboard most likely needs to be replaced

GalVaknin · Answer

same issue ! somone solution please!

bwally76 · Answer

Try holding down the shift key for 3-4 seconds and then while still holding it down type a letter. This may only be a temporary fix though.  Not sure why it works

Texas Pull Tab · Answer

I just removed Windows Update KB5007253 and so far my "shift key" is working again. It was installed 12/7/21 and I noticed my shift key trouble next time I used my Dell Laptop. It is my "on the road" computer so I don't use it everyday.

I try my best to keep Windows from installing updates on my computers but they wrote a work-around to my latest process. Windows updates cause me more head aches than they are worth.

gmartin29 · Answer

same issue except only with left shift and control key.

nyc10036 · Answer

@Gammalt wrote:

Hello

Have anyone found a solution for this problem ?. I have a Dell XPS 9300 and I have been having problems with both shift keys, they work inttermittently now. I already installed Windows 11 to try to solve this problem but it doesn't work.

The only thing im sure its that I will never buy something from Dell in my life again.

It's a hardware issue.

Replace the keyboard. Problem solved.

Inspiron

Shift keys not working

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