Troubleshooting keyboard and hotkey Issues

Contents

• Determining and setting the correct keyboard layout
• Individual keys do not function
• Special keys / hotkeys / Fn keys do not function
• Some keys are producing numbers instead of letters
• Individual keys have become detached from the keyboard
• One or more keys is not responding to key presses anymore

Determining and setting the correct keyboard layout

While a keyboard has usually one particular country-specific keyboard layout printed on it, this printed label is the only difference between different country-specific keyboard layouts. Depending on the keyboard settings of the operating system, pressing keys results in different characters.

To change these settings, please proceed as follows:

1. Click Start and select Control Panel.
2. Click Classic View on the top left.
3. Click Regional and Language Options (see figure 1).
   
   
   Figure 1 - Control Panel - Regional and Language Options
   
   
4. Click on the Keyboard and Languages tab.
5. Click the Change Keyboards... button (see figure 2).
   
   
   Figure 2 - Control Panel - Regional and Language Options - Keyboards and Language
   
   
6. This dialog lists all installed keyboard layouts (see figure 3).
   
   
   Figure 3 - Text Services and Input Languages
   
   Please check if the keyboard layout you want is listed. If more than one layout is installed, Vista will allow switching between the layouts on the fly. If only one layout is installed, it will be active by default.
   
   
   
   1. To Add a keyboard layout, plese click Add, select the desired layout and click OK
      (see figure 4).
      
      
      Figure 4 - Add Input Language
      
      
   2. To remove an unwanted layout, select it and click Remove.
   
   
7. Click OK to apply the seetings and close the window.

Individual keys do not function

1. Click Start.
2. Click All Programs.
3. Click Accessories.
4. Click Notepad.
5. Please test the keys of your keyboard in this window
   1. If a key produces an unexpected result:
      
      • Verify that CAPS lock is off by pushing the Caps Lock key and observing the status LED.
      • Verify that NumLock  is off (if you are getting numbers instead of letters on the right hand side of the keyboard) or on (if you are not getting numbers on the numpad) by pushing the NumLk key and observing the status LED.
      • Check the keyboard layout as explained above.
   2. If a key produces no result while a result is expected:
   • Ensure that the key is not a special button like Mute, Volume or Zoom
6. If the issue has not been resolved by the above, the likely cause is liquid spillage having damaged a part of your keyboard. Liquid spillage is not covered by the warranty and can only be resolved by a chargeable repair or by using a USB keyboard as workaround.

Special keys / hotkeys / Fn keys do not function

• Setting Utility Series
• Sony Shared Library
• VAIO Event Service
  
• VAIO Control Center
• Also, if you have installed your own OS, the SFEP driver needs to be correctly installed in Device Manager for some models.  If applicable, you will find this driver in the  Original Drivers section.

Some keys are producing numbers instead of letters

Individual keys have become detached from the keyboard

If one or more keys on a keyboard has become detached the cause is typically physical damage, which is not covered by the warranty.  

One or more keys is not responding to key presses anymore

If one or more keys on a keyboard do not respond anymore, test if this problem also appears in a standard text editor such as Notepad.  If so, your keyboard may require service.