Windows 11 issue with keyboard

[demarpaint]

I did a fresh clean install of Windows 11 on my Dell Tower. It was working fine after the install, then an issue popped up with the keyboard. The keyboard intermittently stops working, mostly in web browsers, but sometimes in other apps. Batteries are good, and trying another keyboard does not resolve the problem. The keyboard is a Logitech K520 which was never a problem. All drivers are in and there are no [!] in Device manager. Windows experts, TIA. I'd like to try and stick with this but Linux Mint is looking better all the time.

 

[rijndael]

Do you have a wired keyboard, or a different wireless keyboard (with another usb receiver), to see if it has the same issue?

 

[demarpaint]

Do you have a wired keyboard, or a different wireless keyboard (with another usb receiver), to see if it has the same issue?

I don't have a wired keyboard, but I tried a different keyboard with another USB receiver and had the same issue.

 

[SilentType]

I would remove the USB receiver, reboot the computer, then reinstall the receiver.

 

[dogememe]

What model of computer?

 

[demarpaint]

I would remove the USB receiver, reboot the computer, then reinstall the receiver.

I did that as well as trying to put the USB receiver into another USB port.

 

[demarpaint]

What model of computer?

DELL XPS-8920 which has been running Win 11 for well over a year. I'm wondering if Narrator which I never used is causing the problem, I disabled it to see.

 

[SilentType]

DELL XPS-8920 which has been running Win 11 for well over a year. I'm wondering if Narrator which I never used is causing the problem, I disabled it to see.

Is it possible to undo any recent updates and see if that clears the issue? I'm with you though that Linux is looking better by the day, Windows has become intolerable on many fronts.

 

[rijndael]

If the problem is readily apparent, you could boot off a USB thumb drive into Linux and see how the keyboard works.

It'd be nice if wireless keyboards and mice weren't in the same radio spectrum as your wifi and bluetooth (2.4). Doing things like keeping your AP near your PC can cause unintended consequences here. RF is a variable here, outside of your PC and Windows.

 

[demarpaint]

Is it possible to undo any recent updates and see if that clears the issue? I'm with you though that Linux is looking better by the day, Windows has become intolerable on many fronts.

I disabled Narrator, not sure how that got shoved into the installation. It seems OK for now, if it acts up again, I will start undoing updates as you suggested.

 

[demarpaint]

If the problem is readily apparent, you could boot off a USB thumb drive into Linux and see how the keyboard works.

It'd be nice if wireless keyboards and mice weren't in the same radio spectrum as your wifi and bluetooth (2.4). Doing things like keeping your AP near your PC can cause unintended consequences here. RF is a variable here, outside of your PC and Windows.

Maybe I should disable Blue Tooth? Which is set by default.

EDIT: Disabling Narrator and Blue Tooth didn't work.

 

[rijndael]

It seems like booting in to Linux would eliminate a few variables here.

 

[dogememe]

DELL XPS-8920 which has been running Win 11 for well over a year. I'm wondering if Narrator which I never used is causing the problem, I disabled it to see.

Windows 11 is not officially supported on that system? It looks to have 7th gen Intel CPU.

I get that 11 works fine on older systems most of the time BUT when you are using an unsupported configuration don't expect a flawless, hassle-free experience.

Get a newer system or switch to Linux. Although that's not exactly flawless and hassle-free either.

 

[demarpaint]

It seems like booting in to Linux would eliminate a few variables here.

I have to get that setup, I rebooted and I'm now looking at a black screen. I'll be entertained today.

 

[demarpaint]

Windows 11 is not officially supported on that system? It looks to have 7th gen Intel CPU.

I get that 11 works fine on older systems most of the time BUT when you are using an unsupported configuration don't expect a flawless, hassle-free experience.

Get a newer system or switch to Linux. Although that's not exactly flawless and hassle-free either.

I'll play around with it, Linux is certainly an option. New is another, odd that it worked fine, I guess MSFT wants to sell new computers.

 

[dogememe]

I'll play around with it, Linux is certainly an option. New is another, odd that it worked fine, I guess MSFT wants to sell new computers.

I mean yes, Microsoft could have made Windows 11 work on older systems. BUT technology moves on. Your computer is 10 years old. To improve performance, efficiency, and security, Windows can't be backwards compatible forever. So you can choose an alternate OS or buy something newer. Sure, Microsoft would love for you to get a new computer every 3 years, but we're not talking about 3 years, we're talking about a 10 year old system.

 

[demarpaint]

I mean yes, Microsoft could have made Windows 11 work on older systems. BUT technology moves on. Your computer is 10 years old. To improve performance, efficiency, and security, Windows can't be backwards compatible forever. So you can choose an alternate OS or buy something newer. Sure, Microsoft would love for you to get a new computer every 3 years, but we're not talking about 3 years, we're talking about a 10 year old system.

I realize that, I tried. I might go back to the older Win 11 OS. I'm not into a getting new PC right now, especially with all the crap that comes installed on it. I'll fool around with it later, if I get nowhere with it I might install Mint and call it a day.

 

[rijndael]

especially with all the crap that comes installed on it.

You can always start by re-installing the OS on a pre-built. That's what I do with the Mini PCs I buy.

 

[mk378]

Unlike most wireless keyboards, the Logitech Unifying wireless receiver does not emulate a standard USB keyboard. It only works on Windows and requires a vendor driver.

You could try connecting the keyboard via Bluetooth instead. Do you also have a Unifying mouse?

 

[demarpaint]

Unlike most wireless keyboards, the Logitech Unifying wireless receiver does not emulate a standard USB keyboard. It only works on Windows and requires a vendor driver.

You could try connecting the keyboard via Bluetooth instead. Do you also have a Unifying mouse?

I bought the keyboard and mouse as a set which included the receiver.