Windows 10: left Ctrl key not working

I have recently discovered that whenever I try to use keyboard shortcuts i.e. ctrl + C, ctrl + Z, etc. with my LEFT control key, nothing happens. Instead, it will just type the letter I tried to use in the shortcut. So if I try to copy, it will enter a C. This is only happening on my left ctrl key; the right ctrl still works fine. I do not think this is a program related since it is happening on all programs, excel, word, Chrome, notepad, everything. I know it's not the keyboard itself because i did a clean install of windows and even i changed my keypad of my laptop.

:)

 

Both CTRL keys not working

Hi,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community.

• Do you get any error message?
• Did you make any changes in your computer prior to this issue?

I appreciate the troubleshooting steps you have tried to resolve the issue.

Follow the steps below and check if that helps.

Method 1: To check if Ctrl keys work in Onscreen keyboard.

• Press Windows Key + R and type osk and hit Enter.

Try using Ctrl keys and check if that helps.

if you still face the issue, try Method 2.

Method 2: Run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter.

Windows 10 has a built-in troubleshooter to check and fix issues with hardware and devices. I would suggest you to run this troubleshooter to check if the issue is with the Bluetooth adapter. Refer these steps:

• 
  Press Windows key + X, select
  Control panel.
  
• 
  Change the view by option on the top right to
  Large icons.
  
• 
  Click on troubleshooting and click on the
  view all option on the left panel.
  
• 
  Run the Hardware and devices troubleshooter.
  
• 
  Restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.
  

Hope this information is helpful. Please do let us know if you need further assistance, we’ll be glad to assist you.

Thanks

 

Left CTRL key not working properly

Ever since I left the insiders build of windows (because I got sick of bugs and constant updates) and completely reinstalled windows to the latest stable version, the left control key won't work 100% of the time. The right one works just fine, and I've seen multiple threads on Google about it, but their solutions haven't helped.

I've tried the Ctrl+Alt+Fn solution that people said worked, it doesn't for me.
As for drivers, they're all updated/installed and it still doesn't work. Unless I missed something, but I made sure to agonize over which drivers to install and install the right ones for hours. It could be possible I need a driver or something because reinstalling windows removed all drivers.
I tried going into the device manager and uninstalling all the drivers in the keyboard section and restarting my PC, still doesn't work.

I don't think it's a hardware issue, meaning physically the Ctrl key is broken. It can't be because it was working 100% of the time before I went back to the stable version of windows.

What I mean by "not working 100% of the time" is this:

Before I used Ctrl+Alt+Fn:
000000v0v00000vv0vvvv0000v00v000vvv0vvv0v0v0vvvvv000vv0v0v000vvvv0v00vv000v000vvvvvvv0vv0vvvvv00v0vv vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

After I used it:
00000000000000000000000000000000v00000000000000000000000000000000000000v0000000vvv000v000v0v000v00v0 0vvvvv0v0vvvvvvvvvvvvv0v

Sorry for the spam, but the 0's is when the Ctrl in Ctrl+V worked and the Vs is when the Ctrl didn't work at all, it only recognized me pressing V. If it wasn't obvious, I had "0" copied to show the success rate of the left ctrl key. Every time I attempted to paste a "0" I would hold the ctrl key down and press V, then let go of both keys and try again, and so on.

So anyway, you can see even after one solution it sort of worked, then decided to stop. It should work ALL the time.

If you're wondering, my version of windows is: 20H2 (OS Build 19042.867)

Thanks in advance.

 

Left Ctrl key doesn't work with Windows key

I just upgraded from Windows 10 to Windows 11, and after the upgrade, the hotkey combo to switch desktops doesn't work when using the left Ctrl key.

Right Ctrl + Win key + arrow key = works fine

Left Ctrl + Win key + arrow key = does not work

Left Ctrl + Win key + D = creates new desktop (correct)

The left control key works fine in all other situations that I've tested, so it's not a physical key problem. But if I want to switch desktops using Ctrl-Win-Arrow, if I use the left Ctrl key, it doesn't work; if I release left Ctrl and press right Ctrl instead (along with Win key and arrow), it works perfectly. Not sure of other combos to test but this is the only one I've found that doesn't work so far. I've checked for a driver update (none), and "SFC /scannow" didn't find any issues. Thanks in advance for any help!