Left shift key inserts ± (plus/minus symbol)

When I try to use the left shift key and hold it down for more than a half-second or so it will insert the ± symbol. Not being the speediest of typists, this has rendered the key useless (besides being a shortcut for that symbol, of course). This occurs in all profiles.
I am using a Macally ICEKey keyboard with the latest drivers. The behavior occurs when I set the keyboard to the "unknown generic keyboard" option, as well. I tried uninstalling the drivers and trashing the com.apple.keyboardtype.plist file, but the problem continued to occur after it went through the generic keyboard setup on reboot. I should also mention that the keyboard worked fine for a few months before this problem arose.
The only other USB keyboard I have is a generic Dell keyboard (that does work with a Windows box), but when I plugged it in after removing the Macally it was not recognized by my Mac, even after reboot.
Besides trying another keyboard that is confirmed to work with Snow Leopard, are there any settings I should change (the language and character settings are default English with an ANSI keyboard layout) or other diagnostics I could try?
Thanks,
Sam

I have a Macally keyboard (NetKey) and I know that Macally hasn't issued drivers or updates for Intel Macs for some time; I checked on their download page for your model and the latest driver is for "10.4 or above" (which means it's been there for quite a while), which may also mean that it may or may not work with Snow Leopard. I know the driver for mine does not work on SL and I've lost all the cool functions on it (media keys, etc), but I still like the keyboard. My iMac also recognizes the keyboard immediately without any drivers installed.
As for your question, have you looked in the Keyboard pane of System Preferences to see if for some reason that key has been assigned a special function?
And, as far as I know, just about any keyboard - especially USB - should work with SL as long as you don't plan to install any drivers that happen to be for Windows only for any special function keys or features. I don't know why the Dell wouldn't be recognized unless it is made to function only after some software (driver) install (which wouldn't be compatible with SL).

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Left shift key doesn't work on some characters

In some applications, such as Excel and AOL, my left shift key doesn't work on some letters. Consequently, when I'm typing I get lower case letters when I've typed shift plus the letter to get a cap. Right shift works OK, but I'm not used to using it. It happens on i, t, and p, I've noticed so far. I don't know if it's the keyboard or the application. Word seems to work fine.
Would welcome any ideas on what is causing this and how to fix it.
Powermac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Is it possible that you have inadvertently switched to a different keyboard layout? Open System Preferences, then click on the Language & Text preferences. Within the Language & Text preferences click on the 'Input Sources'. You should see a long list of languages representing the various keyboard layouts that are available. Make sure that only the keyboard language you use is selected. If there are multiple languages selected then de-select the extras.
If you continue to have problems then check the 'Show input menu in menu bar' checkbox in the lower section of the preference pane. This will place an icon in the upper right menu bar (it looks like a flag representing the language you have chosen for your input device) that provides additional options. I suggest selecing the 'Show Keyboard Viewer' option and then try pressing the keys that you are having problems with to see how they show up on the keyboard viewer graphic. If you've set the correct language for your keyboard and the key sequences still don't match, then you may need to take your keyboard in for service. Better yet, borrow another keyboard to confirm that the keyboard is the issue.

My left shift key stopped working right one is fine

my left shift key stopped working this morning. never had a problem tell I started using snapshot shift plus command

Keyboard Keys Do Not Respond

Left Shift Key Came Out

Hello, everyone. Upon cleaning my laptop, my left shift key came out. This computer isn't even a year old and I barely use it at all. I don't know if the mechanism underneath the actual key wore out or what not. However, when the key popped out, I was examining if there was anything broken and there wasn't anything at all bent or broken. All I had in my hand was the left shift key with a white plastic piece and with the actual key came attached a metal piece that was attached to it. So what I did was I attached the white plastic piece first and it went into place and I inserted the metal piece that was attached on the shift key into two seperate metal tabs and I snapped back into place.
What I don't understand is if this usually a common problem amongst keyboards, especially for Powerbook G4's. And if I did anything wrong as in attaching the shift key, please let me know or if there is anything I could possibly do.
Thanks for reading and hoping for some responses.

Hi Tenlions,
Keycaps do sometimes come off. It's nothing to be worried about. As long as they go back on ok and still work normally, there's no harm done.
The only thing to worry about is if they actually crack in half, or come off continually.

My left shift key on Macbook Pro Retina (15") is behaving like the F11 key (show/hide open windows). The key behaves the same for the laptop keyboard and for an external Apple keyboard? This just started in last week after 6 months of use

My left shift key on Macbook Pro Retina (15") is behaving like the F11 key (show/hide open windows).
The left shift key behaves the same on the laptop keyboard and on an external Apple keyboard.
This just started in last week after 6 months of use. The right shift key and other keys on the keyboard all appear to work correctly.
Suggestions greatly appreciated.

I have a solution to this issue now after a discussion with Apple Support. Some where in the last few weeks, there was a change in the key that would do a Show Desktop under the Mission Control settings in the System Preferences. Even though the key sequence that was shown for the Show Desktop setting did not include the Left SHift key, by changing this first to having no key sequence and applying that and then changing it back to the F11 key, the Left SHift key issue that I was having has cleared up.
A second issue that was uncovered was that the SSD had some issues (uncovered when I ran Disk Utility using the Repair Disk key). I had to restart and use the Disk Utility through the Command R sequence to get to the stand alone Disk Utility. The SSD appears to be running better as a result as well.
Hope that this is of use to someone else in the future.

How do I fix my left shift key? Any open windows leave and make the desktop visible.

How do I fix my left shift key? Any open windows leave and make the desktop visible. I have tired to go into system preferences and reset all of the keyboard settings to default but the issue hasn't gone away.

You are not running as administrator, I think, which may be required and the only way to properly work and register. Also check for compatibility mode settings, UAC and DEP, all of which may require to be adjusted for a legacy app like PS CS2 to run properly. Also turn off Aero and switch to a conventional visual theme. The brush issue may be related to that or is a more generic problem with your graphics card and mouse config, but since you didn't provide any info on that, it will be hard for anyone to advise.
Mylenium

T40's Left Shift key makes right click/context menu appear?

Hello All-
On my T40, on which I just recently got Windows 7 correctly installed, has a curious behavior:
When I press the left shift key, it functions the same as if I had pressed the right mouse button. It functions correctly otherwise, I.E., when using it to capitolize a letter in an email, the letter is capitolized, but as soon as I let go of the shift key, the right click/context menu immediately appears.
This is exceedingly irritating, as I cannot continue typing until I have navigated out of the menu.
I have checked to see if the Keyboard Customiser utility is causing this, as I currently have my left Alt key functioning as a Windows button, but it does not appear to be causing this particular issue.
Does anyone have any idea how I might go about fixing this?
Thanks in advance,
G
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Nevermind-
Had the keyboard customizer set to use the left shfit key as the application key. Duh.

3 letters + left shift key not working - 2 of them + right shift key working

Hi all,
as in subject, I have just bought a laptop g50-45, italian keyboard.
I encountered this problem:
"LEFT shift key" + "e" or "d" or "c" combinations do not work. Nothing happens.
"RIGHT shift key" + "e" or "d" work properly
"RIGHT shift key" + "c" do not work. Nothing happens
CAPS key + "e" or "d" or "c" work properly.
I noticed this issue before making any updates of windows 8.1
I tried making an update of the bios and later updating windows but the problem is still there.
I check with an external keyboard and everything work correctly
I don't think it could be a mechanical problem because "e", "d" and "c" keys alone work properly, so it seems more a software side problem.
Thank you for your help.

thanks, i thought there some quick procedure to do before heading to apple store. i was just wondering, it was working for a while, and then suddenly like that. i have macbook 10.6.8 software. intel core 2 duo. less than a year old, if i'm not mistaken.

Left SHIFT key always truncated with OPTION key

Every time I press down the left shift key the option key also gets activated. For instance, leftshifta=Å, leftshiftq=Œ and so forth. I noticed that when I went through the initial setup and confirmed with the keyboard viewer. How can I get this fixed without taking the computer back?

Welcome to Apple Discussions
You can't fix this yourself you'll have to take it back to Apple and have them replace the keyboard.

Left Shift Key Remapped, How?

MacBook Air running OS X.
Left shift key when depressed remaps my keyboard, how can I get it to not do this? Example below:
Right Shift Key - ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ?><
Left Shift Key - ÅıÇÎ´Ï˝ÓˆÔÒÂ˜Ø∏Œ‰Íˇ¨◊„˛Á¸¿¯˘
Help please.
Kent

Please read this whole message before doing anything.
This procedure is a test, not a solution. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
Step 1
The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is localized to your user account.
Enable guest logins* and log in as Guest. Don't use the Safari-only “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac.”
While logged in as Guest, you won’t have access to any of your personal files or settings. Applications will behave as if you were running them for the first time. Don’t be alarmed by this; it’s normal. If you need any passwords or other personal data in order to complete the test, memorize, print, or write them down before you begin.
Test while logged in as Guest. Same problem?
After testing, log out of the guest account and, in your own account, disable it if you wish. Any files you created in the guest account will be deleted automatically when you log out of it.
*Note: If you’ve activated “Find My Mac” or FileVault, then you can’t enable the Guest account. The “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac” is not the same. Create a new account in which to test, and delete it, including its home folder, after testing.
Step 2
The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, by a font conflict, or by corruption of the file system or of certain system caches.
Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards, if applicable. Start up in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. You must hold down the shift key twice: once when you boot, and again when you log in.
Note: If FileVault is enabled, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.
Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, with limited graphics performance, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain models. The next normal boot may also be somewhat slow.
The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.
Test while in safe mode. Same problem?
After testing, reboot as usual (not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of steps 1 and 2.

Left shift key hides all screens

When I press the left shift key, instead of putting a capital letter, the key HIDES all the screens open and to get them back I have to press the same key again. So I am limited to use only my right shift key which is very unconfortable. This is so frustrating and so anoying!!! how can I restore normal use of my left shift key? Anyone? Thanks

Check Keyboard Shortcuts in System preferences to see if the shift key is set to that function.

Left shift key is defective

By merely touching the left shift key, the key will function. That means that while typing the 'y' or the 'x', I will get instead 'Y' and 'X' respectively. I have a QWERTZ keyboard.
Solved!
Go to Solution.

The metal contact inside has most likely flattened out. You'll need to get the device replaced. If it's less than a year old and you bought it from your carrier they should be able to get a warranty replacement for you.
1. Please thank those who help you by clicking the "Like" button at the bottom of the post that helped you.
2. If your issue has been solved, please resolve it by marking the post "Solution?" which solved it for you!

Left shift key remapped into alt key

Hi Everybody
The left shift key of my Macbook air started to work exactly like the alt key, like it was remapped.
(the alt key works normally)
The solution of the problem might be simple but I couldn't find any way to change the behaviour in Maverick.
Can anyone help?
Thanks
and14

Try a restart.
Do a backup, using either Time Machine or a cloning program, to ensure files/data can be recovered. Two backups are better than one.
Try setting up another admin user account to see if the same problem continues. If Back-to-My Mac is selected in System Preferences, the Guest account will not work. The intent is to see if it is specific to one account or a system wide problem. This account can be deleted later.
Isolating an issue by using another user account
If the problem is still there, try booting into the Safe Mode using your normal account. Disconnect all peripherals except those needed for the test. Shut down the computer and then power it back up after waiting 10 seconds. Immediately after hearing the startup chime, hold down the shift key and continue to hold it until the gray Apple icon and a progress bar appear. The boot up is significantly slower than normal. This will reset some caches, forces a directory check, and disables all startup and login items, among other things. When you reboot normally, the initial reboot may be slower than normal. If the system operates normally, there may be 3rd party applications which are causing a problem. Try deleting/disabling the third party applications after a restart by using the application un-installer. For each disable/delete, you will need to restart if you don't do them all at once.
Safe Mode
Safe Mode - About
Do you have another keyboard you could test with?

Left shift key is stuck down

My daughters MacBook left shift key is stuckndown. The computer is constantly on "safe boot".
What's a mom to do?

Did you double check to make sure you replaced the shift key correctly?

Left shift key just fell off

Hello,
My left shift key (Dutch keyboard, small shift key) fell of and I cannot get in back. It keeps falling of. It looks like a small pin at the back of the key broke... strange.
Can you tell me how to get an new one? My apple will only order a complete keyboard set.
Regards,
Thomas

Thomas,
Welcome to Apple Discussions.
Keyboard parts are not sold separately. If you want to get a working keyboard you will probably have to replace the complete keyboard. BTW this is the case with every keyboard manufacturer I've run across for the past 20+ years.
Regards,
Roger

Left shift key inserts ± (plus/minus symbol)

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