Troubleshooting a Peculiar Windows 10 Login Issue: A Case of Stubborn Keys

Greetings, fellow tech enthusiasts! Today, I’d like to share an unusual dilemma that I recently encountered while trying to access my Windows 10 PC. Perhaps others have faced similar annoyances and may benefit from this experience.

Upon reaching the login screen, I found myself unable to enter my password correctly. While I could see the prompt, any attempt to type lowercase letters or numbers was met with failure. Oddly enough, pressing Shift followed by a letter resulted in an error, as though I had mistakenly entered the wrong password and hit enter.

Determined to resolve the issue, I embarked on a series of troubleshooting steps:

1. Created a New User Profile: I tested logging into a different account, but the same keyboard problems persisted.

2. Cleaned the Keyboard: I meticulously cleaned my keyboard, suspecting dust and debris could be the culprits.

3. Swapped Keyboards: To rule out a faulty keyboard, I connected a different one, yet the issue lingered.

4. Changed USB Ports: I also tried utilizing different ports, but to no avail.

5. Rebooted the System: A simple restart seemed like a logical step to refresh the system, but the problem remained.

6. Powered Down Completely: I let the PC sit unplugged for several minutes, thoroughly checking for any internal damage or disconnections.

7. Sticky Keys Shortcut: I tried the sticky keys shortcut, hoping it could remedy the situation, though I was fairly certain I had this feature disabled.

8. Keyboard Layout Check: Lastly, I ensured that the keyboard layout hadn’t unknowingly switched to something else. Although a German layout was installed, I confirmed it wasn’t activated.

As I pondered the possibilities, my mischievous cat came to mind. I recalled that she had pranced across my keyboard while the screen was unlocked the night before. Could a rogue keyboard shortcut have been activated in her playful antics?

After exhausting those avenues, I suspect I may have overlooked something fundamental. With a hint of embarrassment, I discovered that the switch for the right Control key had been stuck down. It turns out that my thorough cleaning didn’t catch this minor yet crucial detail.

To all who invested their time in attempting to help, thank you! I sincerely appreciate the support. Here’s a gentle reminder: sometimes, the simplest