SHFT key issues on laptop Asus x550c

[dallen52]

A Recent issue on my trusty laptop where the shift key has given up.

I consider myself pretty tech savvy and have tried several things, but both shift keys don't perform.

I have a touchscreen so can use the digital osd, but I was wondering if anyone has come across this one.

 

Sticky keys are not the issue.

Methinks it's a mechanical contact issue but only started when the thing updated about one week ago.

Coincidence maybe, but it may just be a driver or something.

Blue tooth connected keyboard works fine too, by the way...

[wpcoe]

Can you roll back to the previous driver for your keyboard via Device Manager?

 

[edited to add:]

Or, even more hard-core, roll back the entire system to before the update a week ago via System Restore?  (If that doesn't help, you can also un-do the system roll-back via System Restore.)

Edited December 1, 2017 by wpcoe

[ravip]

Keys giving problems on the keyboard have very few solutions than replacing the KB (especially as you mention that both shift keys are having issue).

 

Edit

Do let us know if you find a solution.

Edited December 1, 2017 by ravip

[maxpower]

Boot it with an OS disk or stick to prove your hardware suspicions.

Keyboards are wired in a matrix with the shift sharing a line. The fact that both shift keys have failed could be a break in the shared track.

[dallen52]

Looks like dismantling tomorrow.

 

Tried to restore point to previous levels with AV off.

No joy.

Tried Safe mode. Nope.

Tried to system refresh today.

Basically it reinstalled W10 and left all my docs intact.

Two options on W10.

Still no resolve. 

 

So it seems probable that the shift  key is giving me the 'short shift' from a mechanical point of view.

 

Tried driver reinstall. Nope.

 

It must have been coincidence that it happened on the same day as W10 did its latest updates. 

 

Good to know that the Shift key shares a common track / feed.

And its the left key that gets the most use.

Big white sheet on the table and a dismantling tomorrow. 

 

Many thanks. 

 

[JaiMaai]

I'd slow down on getting any screwdrivers out yet. I had this issue on an Acer laptop a while back and fixed it after some googling.

I just wish I could remember exactly what it was that fixed it but it was definitely a setting somewhere / software.

I'll try to have a think and post if Can remember.

Sent from my TA-1021 using Tapatalk

[maxpower]

28 minutes ago, JaiMaai said:

I'd slow down on getting any screwdrivers out yet. I had this issue on an Acer laptop a while back and fixed it after some googling.

I just wish I could remember exactly what it was that fixed it but it was definitely a setting somewhere / software.

I'll try to have a think and post if Can remember.

Sent from my TA-1021 using Tapatalk
 

Unless 100% sure from a boot test I would hold off the screwdriver too because Windows has several keyboard tricks for the disabled and they can go wrong or become corrupted. Sticky keys is one of the background routines that can change the shift key operation and also survive roll back and partial installs.
 

[RichCor]

While it *might* be a software driver issue, more likely your physical keyboard it going out.

 

Had an issue on my Acer Laptop a few years ago where several keys just stopped working. Found several replacement keyboards available online. Picked an inexpensive one and did the replacement myself.

 

Though, as I picked the 'cheapest' keyboard, the 'g' key cap has a tendency to pop off every time I pop off on someone. 

[tutsiwarrior]

I had an ASUS K550L laptop with the same issue but the entire keyboard didn't work, hadta retype everything twice...and the unit was only a year old (out of warranty)...looked like the entire keyboard would deflect when a key was pressed...shitty build...

 

bought a new lenovo with the same specs (but with 8 RAM instead of 6) from invadeit and moved on down the road...I bought the ASUS in saudi...

 

 

[jenny2017]

OP, if you are still looking for a solution, please try that:

 

2. When Shift key not working or some other key is not recognized?

However, how do you approach the entire troubleshooting procedure if some of your keys are not being recognized by the Operating System that you have been using? This could be a result of some missing keyboard drivers or your delay in updating each of them. As stated earlier, some keyboards come with a software program, and it's necessary you install them to avoid multiple keyboard errors, one of them being of shift key not working.

• Open the keyboard by clicking the Start button. Control Panel>Hardware and Sound> Keyboard.
• Click on the Hardware tab, and find the keyboard that you are currently using, and then double-click over it.
• You then have to click on the Driver tab, and select Update Driver, and then wait for the instructions to follow.
• You might be prompted to reboot the system, if yes, you must.

3. Keyboard keys tend to stick or don't depress

You can address this issue by simply turning your keyboard upside down and nudging it gently. Accumulation of debris can lead to this issue, and hence the issue of shift key not working might arise. Some users tend to use compressed air in order to clean out dust from areas that are otherwise inaccessible under the keys.

 

      https://datarecovery.wondershare.com/shift-key-not-working-in-windows.html

Edited December 3, 2017 by jenny2017

[steve187]

if you remove the hard drive and boot into the bios see if the keys then work, no drivers are required as no operating system

 

edit = thinking about it i'm not sure if the shift keys are required in bios

Edited December 3, 2017 by steve187

[smedly]

there are many similar issues with win 10 - have you done a google search

[dallen52]

Appreciate all your comments.

Well.

You name it, I've tried it.

Drivers.

Delete and reinstall. 

Refreshed windows 10.

Safe mode.

Just about every forum i can find.

 

Can invoke shift every way except mechanical. 

So a broken or dodgy track sounds like the issue.

 

Soo.

It looks like open heart surgery and remove the keyboard. 

It's only about 15 screws on the Asus X550c.

Plus three micro connections. 

 

I know there used to be a programme that cycled through the motions and actually indicated the keyboard functionality. 

??

 

I will track down a replacement board and bite the bullet regards installing it. 

If I'm stripping it down. May as well replace it.

(It might just be a dry jointed connector?)

 

Next question is..

Best place in pattaya to get a new keyboard insert?

 

 

One other off-topic is ...

 

Where can i buy those super strong magnets locally. 

The same ones used in hard drives. 

(Ebay doesnt ship to Thailand)

[JSixpack]

On 12/3/2017 at 6:05 PM, jenny2017 said:

You can address this issue by simply turning your keyboard upside down and nudging it gently. Accumulation of debris can lead to this issue, and hence the issue of shift key not working might arise. Some users tend to use compressed air in order to clean out dust from areas that are otherwise inaccessible under the keys.

 

 

Yep, classic. Vacuum cleaner too.

 

15 hours ago, dallen52 said:

You name it, I've tried it.

 

I don't see that you tried a boot disk/thumbdrive yet, maybe w/ a Linux OS. Or the BIOS, as suggested above--try entering an uppercase letter in the supervisor password field.

 

I wouldn't go medieval and remove/replace the entire keyboard w/o first removing just the one key and cleaning it.

 

http://www.instructables.com/id/Clean-Your-Sticky-Laptop-Keyboard/

 

Good luck!

 

[dallen52]

With the Asus x550 the keyboard is enclosed.

CHICKLET type keys i think is the term.

No crud can get underneath.

Its basically a sealed module under the top plastic template.

Regards to bios and boot from image on a memory stick. 

I did try this avenue.

Thats why i eventually did the full clean install.

Just keeping the partitions and backing my documents up before I started.

 

Its clean as a whistle now. 

I've reinstalled the few favourites programs i use.

Office and antivirus. 

I was part of the Windows development programme teams.

But i got fed up of the constant crashes and hang ups.

So, thats obviously been removed too.

Just W10 plus Office 2016 pro. 

The latest bios, and Avg 2017 antivirus pro.

(I change my A/V sometimes as i got well any truly bombed by a Chinese browser hijacking whatever. 

That went straight past my A/V. )

Took hours to get out.

 

Anyhow.

I will unscrew and check the connections. 

Then i suppose a replacement keyboard module is next.

 

This is a pic of the module that sits under the top plastic surround. 

Liquid could get tvrough.

But not dirt or dust.

 

Just for interest...

The Asus x550 is a poor offering as a laptop goes.

It runs at 35% efficiency due to poor quality mismatched components used during build.

 

I will run benchmark index software on any new laptop in future. 

 

The chip is i5 but second rate.

The graphics card and others components are just not compatibility matched too well.

 

I ran Belarc (after buying)

There are some other good unbiased utilities around.

But this was a rrp £600 machine two years ago. 

Take a memory stick with one on, and check the performance before buying. 

I will next time...

 

 

Edited December 9, 2017 by dallen52