Question:

What is the cause and solution for a keyboard malfunction where the question mark key only produces the slash sign when pressed with the function key, and the function keys F8, F9, and F10 do not work when pressed with the same key?

Answer:

How to Fix a Keyboard Malfunction with Question Mark and Function Keys

Have you ever encountered a keyboard problem where the question mark key only gives you a slash sign when pressed with the function key, and the function keys F8, F9, and F10 do not work at all? If so, you are not alone. Many users have reported this issue on various forums and websites . In this article, we will explain the possible causes and solutions for this keyboard malfunction.

There are several possible causes for this keyboard malfunction, such as:

• Incorrect keyboard layout or input language: Sometimes, the keyboard layout or input language may be changed accidentally or by a software update, resulting in different symbols or characters being assigned to certain keys. For example, if your keyboard layout is set to French, the question mark key will produce a slash sign when pressed with the function key, and the function keys F8, F9, and F10 will not work.
• Faulty keyboard driver: A keyboard driver is a software component that allows the keyboard to communicate with the operating system. If the keyboard driver is corrupted, outdated, or incompatible, it may cause the keyboard to malfunction or behave erratically.
• Hardware damage: In some cases, the keyboard malfunction may be caused by physical damage to the keyboard, such as liquid spillage, dust accumulation, loose connections, or broken keys. This may affect the electrical signals or the mechanical functioning of the keyboard.

Possible Solutions

Depending on the cause of the keyboard malfunction, there are different solutions that you can try, such as:

• Change the keyboard layout or input language: To change the keyboard layout or input language, you can follow these steps:
• On Windows 10, go to Settings > Time & Language > Language. Under Preferred languages, select the language that matches your keyboard, and click Options. Under Keyboards, click Add a keyboard, and choose the keyboard layout that you want. You can also remove any unwanted keyboard layouts by clicking on them and selecting Remove.
• On Windows 7, go to Control Panel > Clock, Language, and Region > Change keyboards or other input methods. Under Keyboards and Languages, click Change keyboards. Under General, click Add, and select the keyboard layout that you want. You can also remove any unwanted keyboard layouts by clicking on them and selecting Remove. Click OK to save the changes.
• On Mac OS, go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Input Sources. Click the + button, and select the keyboard layout that you want. You can also remove any unwanted keyboard layouts by clicking on them and selecting the – button. Check the Show Input menu in menu bar option to switch between keyboard layouts easily.
• Update or reinstall the keyboard driver: To update or reinstall the keyboard driver, you can follow these steps:
• On Windows 10, go to Device Manager > Keyboards. Right-click on the keyboard driver that you want to update or reinstall, and select Update driver or Uninstall device. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process. You may need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
• On Windows 7, go to Device Manager > Keyboards. Right-click on the keyboard driver that you want to update or reinstall, and select Update Driver Software or Uninstall. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process. You may need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
• On Mac OS, there is no need to update or reinstall the keyboard driver, as it is automatically updated by the system. However, you can try resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) or the Non-Volatile Random-Access Memory (NVRAM) to fix some keyboard issues. To reset the SMC, follow these steps:
• If your Mac has a removable battery, shut down your Mac, remove the battery, and unplug the power cord. Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds, then release it. Reconnect the battery and the power cord, and turn on your Mac.
• If your Mac has a non-removable battery, shut down your Mac, and plug in the power cord. Press and hold the Shift-Control-Option keys and the power button at the same time for 10 seconds, then release them. Turn on your Mac.
• To reset the NVRAM, follow these steps:
• Shut down your Mac, and turn it on again. Immediately press and hold the Option-Command-P-R keys until you hear the startup sound twice, then release them.
• Clean or replace the keyboard: If the keyboard malfunction is caused by hardware damage, you may need to clean or replace the keyboard. To clean the keyboard, you can follow these steps:
• Turn off your computer, and unplug the keyboard if it is external. Use a can of compressed air to blow away any dust or debris from the keyboard. You can also use a soft brush or a cotton swab to gently clean the keys and the gaps between them. Do not use any liquid or abrasive cleaners, as they may damage the keyboard.
• If the keyboard is still not working properly, you may need to replace it. You can either buy a new keyboard or take your computer to a professional repair service. If you are confident in your skills, you can also try to replace the keyboard yourself, but be careful not to damage any other components. You can find online guides or videos on how to replace the keyboard for different models of computers.

Conclusion

In

this article, we have explained the possible causes and solutions for a keyboard malfunction where the question mark key only produces the slash sign when pressed with the function key, and the function keys F8, F9, and F10 do not work. We hope that this article has helped you to fix your keyboard problem and enjoy typing again. If you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment below. Thank you for reading!