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The letter w on my laptop keyboard doesn't seem to be working anymore.

All w letters found here are copied.

Strange thing is, keyboard shortcuts involving this letter still work, like CTRL+w, which is the standard shortcut to close a tab in any piece of software that somehow works with tabs.

Google is of no help, as it refers me to the apple support center...

My operating system is windows Vista x86

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type 'v' twice instead ;) – Chopper3 Jun 3 '09 at 0:06
This is totally not IT... – Antoine Benkemoun Jun 3 '09 at 6:32
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closed as off topic by Jeff Atwood♦ Jun 3 '09 at 6:42

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6 Answers

up vote 1 down vote

What happens if you plug in an external USB keyboard?

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up vote 0 down vote

Has the W key been accidently remapped to something else?

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up vote 0 down vote

It doesn't work in all programs or just in some ?

Can you give out your process list ?

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up vote 0 down vote

I've had cheap keyboards where the keys start to go one by one and pretty soon you just break down and buy another keyboard because the amount of keys not working is just too much. The max I've put up with is like 5 keys not working... and then only for a couple days.

Now if you have a laptop you could try taking it apart (probably voiding the warranty if any) and seeing if you have a cookie crumb stuck under their or perhaps even solder on a new switch. Otherwise you could send it back for repair or take it to your local Apple authorized dealer. Or perhaps even just use a can of air to blow it out and see if that helps.

Sometimes the key may work with others because of a crack in the motherboard... and I'm not saying try this but if you flex the computer in certain ways like pushing down in the corner with the control key and observe and see if the 'w' key works.

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Wait, "pretty soon", not immediately‽ I don't think I'd put up with a single flaky key, much less a broken one. Not like we're talking hard-to-replace expensive parts here. – derobert Jun 3 '09 at 4:55
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up vote 0 down vote

If you can pop off the key, do so and use a pencil eraser to clean the copper contacts.

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up vote 0 down vote

Do some basic troubleshooting to narrow down the cause.

Since you're referring to the Apple Support Center, I'm guessing this is an Apple laptop. So boot off your OS X install media, and see if w works there. (If you don't have OS X discs, use an Ubuntu disc. Or check in the BIOS if possible).

If it works: Its probably a software problem with Windows. Proceed to troubleshoot software (safe mode, etc.).

If it doesn't work: Your hardware is broken. Replace keyboard (or send laptop in for repair).

(Just because control-W works doesn't mean the hardware is OK. Holding down control puts pressure on the keyboard, and thus isn't a good test)

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