Could a software issue affect keyboard keys?

aliasojo

This seems unlikely but I'm trying to consider everything.

I'm having issues with the up arrow key and the number 4 key on the numeric keypad.

All of a sudden one day, these stopped working. Then the next day they worked again. Repeat ad infinitum.

At first I thought perhaps a heating issue was causing expansion somewhere and breaking a connection but it's since happened when the laptop is cold.

I can't find a pattern why these two particular keys work sometimes and not others. It's always the same keys and they always work fine when the laptop is switched on and for a while thereafter. When they stop working, they both stop working at the same time. Some days they stop working fairly soon, other times the laptop can be on all day and it's evening before it happens.

Is it even remotely possible that some sort of software issue could be involved or is this not even feasible? Happy to accept I'm clutching at straws here.

I've done the virus scans etc, nothing has shown up.

I've searched the net but only come across situations where keys have stopped working, not when they work for part of the day.

Any ideas?

bluesnake

often the weird odd keys not working or wrong symbols appearing are cause by component failure, or ribbon cable, however software can also cause keys not to work

A quick test would be downloading and booting from puppy linux cd and test the keys.

A temp measure could be to use the on-screen keyboard, or plug another keyboard in.

Steve059

Download and install a new keyboard device driver from the laptop manufacturer?