cant move unless holding alt key

[HeavensXsins]

I don't know if it is something I hit, but in a couple origin games I cant move my character with wasd unless I hold down the alt key, its a pain if someone knows a fix for the issue I have I would very grateful oh and key binding doesn't seem to help.

[EA_David · Accepted solution]

@HeavensXsins Thanks. 

Can you try restarting your computer with a Clean Boot, and try (temporarily) disabling your security software. 

There may be some 3rd party program that tries to prevent keystrokes from registering, I suspect it's triggering when the game is running. 

In any case even if this has no effect it'll be useful for ruling out a bunch of possibilities. 

[EA_David]

@HeavensXsinsHmm, that's odd. Are you playing on a laptop or desktop?

Can you name a game in which the issue manifests?

I know it's not the most elegant of steps, but can you try hammering the alt key 5+ times and check if Sticky Keys are turned on?

[HeavensXsins]

thanks for answering

im on a desktop

pvz garden warfare

and sims 4 (camera movement)

alt mashing didn't seem to have an effect, worth a shot though

[HeavensXsins]

also I tried 2 different keyboards same issue

and sticky keys are off

[HeavensXsins]

one more note holding ctrl seems to work also

[EA_David]

Thanks. At least a hardware issue is ruled out. I take it that outside of games the keyboard works fine? Would I also be right to assume other controls mapped to character keys don't work, just like wasd?

Do you play games Windowed? Does swapping between Windowed or fullscreen have any effect?

[HeavensXsins]

I appreciate the help

the keyboard works outside of games completely fine and switching between fullscreen/windowed doesn't have an effect

and character  mapped keys you need to hold ctrl/alt, except the the arrow keys work like wasd without having to hold any keys

[EA_David · Accepted solution]

@HeavensXsins Thanks. 

Can you try restarting your computer with a Clean Boot, and try (temporarily) disabling your security software. 

There may be some 3rd party program that tries to prevent keystrokes from registering, I suspect it's triggering when the game is running. 

In any case even if this has no effect it'll be useful for ruling out a bunch of possibilities. 

[HeavensXsins]

you are awesome the clean reboot worked thank you so much for your help, you are a fantastic person

[EA_David]

@HeavensXsins Splendid, thanks for the update. If the issue returns, try the Clean Boot again, then turn on programs gradually until you find the interfering program.