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Under Windows 8, why does keyboard input sometimes not work (no typing, no ctrl+key shortcuts, etc.)?

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  • Last reply by rqb47

rqb47
rqb47
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I haven't noticed any pattern to what causes it; just that sometimes, Firefox stops responding to key presses of any kind. I know some websites intercept keys that would otherwise control the browser (which is annoying), but when this happens it affects all sites. I've tried pressing all the modifier keys to see if one is being registered as held down; it doesn't help. Quitting Firefox and starting it again seems to fix it when it happens. I've been using Firefox for a while, and only encountered the problem once I installed it on my new Windows 8 PC.

I haven't noticed any pattern to what causes it; just that sometimes, Firefox stops responding to key presses of any kind. I know some websites intercept keys that would otherwise control the browser (which is annoying), but when this happens it affects all sites. I've tried pressing all the modifier keys to see if one is being registered as held down; it doesn't help. Quitting Firefox and starting it again seems to fix it when it happens. I've been using Firefox for a while, and only encountered the problem once I installed it on my new Windows 8 PC.

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cor-el
cor-el
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Try to press the Windows key a few times, possibly in combination with a function key.

rqb47
rqb47 Question owner
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I've tried pressing all the modifier keys to see if one is being registered as held down; it doesn't help.

Modified by rqb47

cor-el
cor-el
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[/questions/947513#answer-418720]

rqb47
rqb47 Question owner
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Fn+Windows key didn't help, but F9+Windows key did; thanks. That still doesn't answer the question of why it happens, though; or how to keep it from happening.