Windows 11: Keyboard became one big shorcut device mid type in game. Making it unplayable.

Troubleshooting Persistent Keyboard Shortcut Activation in Windows 11 During Gaming Sessions

Many Windows 11 users have reported an unusual and disruptive issue: their keyboard unexpectedly triggers multiple system shortcuts while typing, particularly during gaming. This behavior can significantly hinder gameplay and productivity, leading to frustration and confusion.

Understanding the Issue

The core problem appears to be that the keyboard becomes an inadvertent trigger for Windows shortcuts during use. For example, typing the letter “T” might immediately open a system window or menu, disrupting the flow of activity. Such spontaneous shortcut activation suggests a possible malfunction or misconfiguration within the operating system or keyboard settings.

Possible Causes

Several factors may contribute to this issue:

Sticky or malfunctioning keyboard keys which may cause repeated signals.
Background processes or overlays (such as screen capture tools, accessibility features, or third-party utilities) that listen for keystrokes.
Operating system updates or settings that have introduced or altered shortcut mappings.
Hardware conflicts or driver issues.

Recommended Troubleshooting Steps

To resolve this problem efficiently, consider the following approaches:

Disable or Reconfigure Shortcut Features
Check Windows Settings for any accessibility features that might interfere with normal keyboard input, such as Sticky Keys or Filter Keys.
Explore installed third-party utilities or overlays that might modify keyboard behavior and temporarily disable or uninstall them.
Update or Reinstall Keyboard Drivers
Access Device Manager (Win + X, then Device Manager).
Locate your keyboard device, right-click, and select “Update driver.”
If issues persist, consider uninstalling the device and restarting your PC to allow Windows to reinstall the driver automatically.
Test in Safe Mode
Boot into Safe Mode to determine if the problem persists with minimal drivers and background processes.
If the issue disappears, active troubleshooting can then focus on software conflicts.
Check for Windows Updates
Ensure your system is fully updated, as Microsoft frequently releases patches that address bugs.
Reset Keyboard Settings
Reset any custom shortcut configurations within Windows or keyboard software.
Hardware Inspection
Test with a different keyboard to determine if the issue is hardware-related.
Clean the keyboard to ensure no keys are physically sticking.