OSX Caps Lock stuck on (not a sticky keyboard)

You see this question posted frequently, and I have searched exhaustively to find the right solution for my problem, to no avail.
Occasionally, my iMac will get into a funky mode where EVERTHING I TYPE IS IN CAPITAL LETTERS, regardless of the status of Caps Lock. Yes, I know, it's annoying. But it's more than just annoying because it makes it impossible to unlock the screen and I have to reboot, losing unsaved work in the process. ARGH!
You're probably already thinking of all the silly solutions; removing cracker crumbs or grape jelly from under the keys, unplugging/replugging the USB keybard or trying a different keyboard. Let me save us both some time, because it's not that obvious. I ask you to put your thinking cap on, because right now my screen is locked and I would rather not have to reboot. My wife has some unsaved work that I don't want to lose! Do you accept the challenge? Thanks! Here's what we know, and some of the things we can rule out:
* This has been known to happen while I am typing.
* The only solution I have found to restore normal behavior is a simple reboot, which resolves the problem every time.
* It is not a bad keyboard. The same behavior is exhibited by known good USB and Bluetooth OEM keyboards, as well as a third aftermarket keyboard.
* The Caps Lock keys on ALL THREE keyboards are working properly, as demonstrated by the Caps Lock LED toggling on/off with each press of the key.
* However, the Caps Lock indicator in the Password field STAYS ON and does NOT toggle when the key is pressed!
* No key behavior has been changed from their default Preferences.
* This was happening with the factory install of Lion, and has continued after the in-house upgrade to Mt Lion.
* This occurs only once every two months or so, which is why I have never got around to opening a ticket with Apple.
All of this leads me to believe that there is nothing wrong with my computer. I believe that, quite by accident, I fat-finger some magical key combination that triggers this behavior. Unfortunately, I can never figure out what I've done, or how to get it back to normal without rebooting the darn thing. Until I can figure out what triggers this behavior (and so presumably will be able to toggle back to normal when it occurs), I think my best workaround is to use a password that has all upper case letters so at least I can unlock it when it does happen. Unfortunately, right now I am still facing losing work due to a reboot if I can't find a real solution.
Suggestions? Advice? SOLUTIONS????

Hi Donna, if you've already rebooted, try this workaround...
System Preferences>Keyboard>Modifier keys>Caps Lock=no action.

Similar Messages

  • Caps lock light will not switch off keyboard is not working at all

    Can anyone help please. mbp only 8 days outside warranty. typing this on onscreen keyboard. very slow

    try restarting your computer... if that doesn't work, try resetting your PRAM
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1379

  • Unibody macbook caps lock stuck on sound not working got wet.

    My Macbook got wet due to a flower vase tipping over (cats)  I have replaced the keyboard and the backlight, im thinking it needs a logic board.  The sound dose not work and the computer comes on when its closed, caps lock stuck on. External keyboard works ok.  thanks for your time
    Kevin

    I've also installed Onyx and performed maintenance and cleaning tasks. No difference...

  • Caps lock key does not work...

    my caps lock key was working perfectly up until 10-15 minutes ago.
    when i press my caps lock key, the little light on the key does not turn on and all of my letters remain in lowercase.
    i thought perhaps something was stuck underneath the key, but when i took the key off - nothing was there. i placed it back on and still the caps lock key does not work.
    does anyone have any ideas as to why the problem could be and how to fix it?

    Finally found something that worked for me. See this thread and look for the post about removing the Hitoolbox plist files.
    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=10765093&#10765093
    I removed all of them. (Had multiples) Also make sure you empty the trash afterwards.
    Then restart.
    Then I used the modifier key trick in this thread. Turned off the caps lock key. Then restart.
    Then use the modifier key trick and turn the caps lock key back on. Test to see if your lights come back on for the caps lock key.
    If so, next time you restart it should still work. Finally. This thing has been dogging me for a long time.

  • My caps lock light is not turning on no matter what I do. PLEASE HELP!

    My caps lock light is not turning on no matter what I do. PLEASE HELP!

    Hi lahiri,
    Welcome to the Apple Support Communities!
    I understand that the Caps Lock key on your MacBook Air is staying lit as if the Caps Lock is engaged and you cannot turn it off. One article I would suggest taking a look at in this situation is attached below. If the information does not help you solve your issue, please let me know more about the situation. Are the letters you type in all caps all the time or can you adjust between upper and lower case using the Caps Lock key and the light just stays on?
    Keyboard Caps Lock modified to reduce accidental activation - Apple Support
    Best regards,
    Joe

  • Satelite P50-A-14E - Caps lock key is not working

    Hi all,
    My CAPS LOCK key is not working on my Satelite P50-A-14E series laptop. Just realized while writing an email that is not working so is more or less sudden. Nothing has been spilled on it. Here is what I've checked so far:
    - green light indicating that CAPS is LOCKED illuminates while pressing the key from on screen keyboard
    - keyboard backlight doesn't start when I press the key but It works for the key itself when pressing any other key.
    - tried a clean boot but no result.
    Thanks a lot for your help.

    Hi
    > Just realized while writing an email that is not working so is more or less sudden.
    Did you test the CAPS LOCK button using different software: internet browser, word or another editor?
    How about the usage of external keyboard?
    From my point of view there are two possible malfunctions: either there is some problem with the software you are using or the internal keyboard simply malfunctions and in such case the keyboard replacement will solve the problem.
    You could test the external USB keyboard. In case the USB external keyboard CAPS LOCK button would functions, then the internal keyboard has to be replaced for sure.

  • Caps lock key is not working

    i just bought my macbook air. the caps lock key is not working and the green light doesn't coem on. I tried holding it down for a while but it still didn;t work. I rebooted several times and once  i held doen the cap slock during booting andthe green light came on but once it fully loaded it went off and I couldn't get it to come back on.

    Hi
    > Just realized while writing an email that is not working so is more or less sudden.
    Did you test the CAPS LOCK button using different software: internet browser, word or another editor?
    How about the usage of external keyboard?
    From my point of view there are two possible malfunctions: either there is some problem with the software you are using or the internal keyboard simply malfunctions and in such case the keyboard replacement will solve the problem.
    You could test the external USB keyboard. In case the USB external keyboard CAPS LOCK button would functions, then the internal keyboard has to be replaced for sure.

  • CAPS LOCK light is not working

    Hello dear guys, 
    Had a problem today - some keyboard keys didn't work properly. 
    I opened the laptop (Pavilion G6 2241sa) cover and saw that keyboard cable was loose. I reconnected it properly, closed the cover and switched laptop on. Now, all  keys are working fine, BUT CAps Lock light is not working well. Key is functioning, but when I press it - the light come on, but as soon as I release the key - the light goes off. Light doesn't stay. Also when the actual function of caps lock is on, when I press any other key the light come on the surface of Caps lock key but it is dim. 
    I recheched keyboard cable again - all is fine, but Caps lock light doesn't stay on when pressed. 
    I do practice typing for the last 3 months for few hours each day, so I guess it also affects the life span of my keyboard.
    Would appreciate any insights about this Caps Lock light. Many thanks, Vit
    This question was solved.
    View Solution.

    Hi there @vitsirius 
    I understand that the Caps Lock LED is not working, after you had fixed a loose connection to your keyboard.
    You may want to walk through this page and see if something may help
    Notebook Keyboard Troubleshooting (Windows 8)
    Also for your convenience here is the maintenance guide. It is possible when you were working on it one of the of the other connections was loose or became so.
    HP Pavilion g6 Notebook PC Maintenance and Service Guide
    Malygris1
    I work on behalf of HP
    Please click Accept as Solution if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.
    Click Kudos Thumbs Up on the right to say “Thanks” for helping!

  • Caps lock and shift not recognized from a usb or virtual keyboard on the Mac

    Caps lock and shift not recognized from a usb or virtual keyboard on the Mac client.   You have to use the native keyboard or bluetooth keyboard.

    Hi,
    nswint, it seems that we have to do as you described.
    Corey, I have the remote desktop client installed on a iPad Air, I can input capital letters via the on-screen keyboard within the remote desktop session that we can activate by a tap on the keyboard icon in the connection bar.
    Thanks.
    Jeremy Wu
    TechNet Community Support

  • My Macbook built-in keyboard has stopped responding, (even caps lock light does not come on). What can I do as cannot even login to computer?

    My Macbook built-in keyboard has stopped responding, (even caps lock light does not come on). What can I do as cannot even login to computer?
    There has been no spillage and it has not been dropped.

    Do you have access to a USB wired Apple (or maybe even a PC) keyboard?
    That may be used to help troubleshoot the internal keyboard and on startup
    be able to access (or see if you can) the System, and attempt to see about
    troubleshooting. See if it will start in SafeBoot, (shift key held down just after
    startup tone, if it runs in safeboot, then login to see if you can read system
    logs in Console) and another idea may be to attempt to start in Recovery &
    then attempt to use OS X Utilities there to see if you can verify and then to
    repair the hard disk drive, and do some checks on the hardware.
    •Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) - Apple Support
    Was the computer an Apple official refurbished unit bought direct from Apple?
    Did you get an extended warranty from Apple - if it were directly bought there?
    Usually these are online purchases from Apple Store; other companies offer
    repaired or restored used computers and call them 'refurbished' or they may
    have bought actual refurbished from Apple stock; these may be resold on ebay
    or via amazon, and may or may not have a residual warranty of some kind.
    In some cases the keyboard may fail due to some connection on the logic board
    not fitting correctly, or some other loose wire; however if the battery may have
    swollen, that could contribute to issues with both trackpad and keyboard.
    A visit to an authorized Apple service provider is recommended, or contact the
    seller you bought yours from to ask if they may offer suggestions or perhaps a
    discount on diagnostic + repair if there is no warranty on the product.
    Find an Apple Authorized Service Provider
    Visit an Apple Retail Store
    https://locate.apple.com/country - locate authorized sales, service, by country.
    Without more information, you may have to look into your local consumer
    protection laws to see if your area may allow you more than others when
    it comes to problems with electronics. If in the EU or UK, it may be longer.
    You could contact a nearby Apple Store with Genius bar for advice...
    Good luck & happy computing!

  • How can you keep the caps lock on and not unlock after each letter?

    How can you keep the caps lock on and not unlock after each letter?

    I'm not aware of an online keyboard that is available and can do this. Most likely it would need to be a function of the app itself (which can and sometimes do add functionlaity to the keyboard).
    Wireless keyboard might handle that, if that's an option for you.
    I work in IT myself, and IMHO the iPad isn't the ideal device for coding or scripting work.

  • My screen is black and keyboard is not working. USB is good. Caps lock light will not turn green like I have no power. Any suggestions

    My screen is black and keyboard is not working. USB is good. Caps lock light will not turn green like I have no power. Any suggestions

    Ouch, doesn't sound good, but...
    Have you done a PRAM reset, CMD+Option+p+r...
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379
    In fact, do 3 in a row, takes a bit of time.
    Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)...
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964

  • Caps lock with number not working for main password

    hello when I start my macbook pro I have a login with numbers in it so I use the caps lock to write it but it doesn't work I have to use shift instead!!! when I use the caps lock for writing mail or anything numbers work fine with it!!! Anyone have an idea??
    thk  sam

    If you used the Shift key to originally enter your password with the number keys the Caps Lock key does NOT do the same thing as Shift for the number keys.
    This is Shift and numbers,
    #^*)$@&
    This is Caps LOCK WITH NUMBER KEYS,
    1234455667788999
    As you see the Caps Lock only works for typing LETTERS Not Numbers or any other symbol found on the keyboard.
    To be able to use all the upper case symbols you need to use the Shift key.><?":{}+_)(*&^%$#@!~
    Even if the CAPS LOCK IS ON. ,./';\][=-0987654321`

  • Caps Lock green led not working

    Hello,
    When I first got this lovely new MacBook, I thought the caps lock key would not actneededivate with a gentle tap, but needed a firm push to get the green led to light up.
    Now I notice that the caps lock is actually working fine with a gentle tap, but the green led does not light up no matter how hard I push on the key...
    In summary, caps lock activates, but there is no way I can tell if it's on because the green light on the key NEVER lights up...
    Before you ask, I have tried to restart...
    Anyone else having this problem?

    Try resetting your PRAM and your SMC.
    Resetting the System Management Controller >>
    Dave M.
    MacOSG Founder/Ambassador  An Apple User Group  iTunes: MacOSG Podcast
    Creator of 'Mac611 - Mobile Mac Support' (designed exclusively for an iPhone/iPod touch)

  • Laptop DV7-6b51ea - Unable to Start -Caps Lock lights and F12 key on Keyboard blinking

    I bought this Laptop Laptop DV7-6b51ea around 9 month ago - and every time I press start key its Unable to Start - and the Caps Lock lights and F12 key on Keyboard blinking. so I have to restart couple of time befor I could see anything on screen.
    I searched in forums and got different reviews some said its memory problem some said its serious motherboard and graphics issue.. please Help !!!
    please advice its a brand new Buy from HP UK store

    Hi,
    Try a Hard Reset as follows.
    Shut down the notebook, unplug the AC Adapter and then remove the battery.  Hold  down the Power button for 30 seconds.  Re-insert the battery, plug in the AC Adapter and see if the notebook will start.
    If the above fails to help, as your notebook is still under warranty, contact HP and arrange to have it repaired - you can check your warranty status Here.
     If you live in the UK, contact HP starting Here.
    If you are in another part of the world, start Here.
    Regards,
    DP-K
    ****Click the White thumb to say thanks****
    ****Please mark Accept As Solution if it solves your problem****
    ****I don't work for HP****
    Microsoft MVP - Windows Experience

Maybe you are looking for