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Asked: 2024-09-27T02:37:28+05:30 In:

I’m experiencing an issue where my right Alt key isn’t functioning the same way as my left Alt key on my Ubuntu system. Has anyone else faced this problem, and if so, what solutions or troubleshooting steps have you tried?

I’ve been having some trouble with my keyboard lately. So, here’s what’s going on: my right Alt key just isn’t functioning the same way as my left Alt key on my Ubuntu system, and it’s really starting to bug me. It seems like a small issue, but it’s driving me a little crazy. Have any of you run into this before?

For context, I’m using a mechanical keyboard that’s generally been great, but out of nowhere, the right Alt key feels totally off. When I press it, nothing happens, or sometimes it only works for certain commands. Meanwhile, the left Alt key is working perfectly fine, just like it always has. I’ve checked the keyboard settings, and it seems like everything is normal there, but maybe I missed something?

I tried a couple of things on my own — like unplugging and replugging the keyboard to see if it would reset itself. I also switched USB ports just in case there was a connection issue, but that didn’t help at all. I even went into the keyboard layout settings to see if there was some weird configuration that might have gotten messed up, but everything looks okay.

I’ve read a few forums where people suggested using a different keyboard to see if the problem persists, so I’m considering that as my next step. But honestly, I’m hoping someone out there has found a fix for this or can point me in the right direction.

It’s just frustrating because those Alt keys are so crucial for shortcuts, and not having a fully functional keyboard is messing with my workflow. If you’ve faced a similar issue, what troubleshooting steps did you take? Is there a way to remap the keys temporarily until I figure this out? Any input would be really appreciated! Thanks in advance to anyone who can share their experience or solutions!

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    2 Answers



    1. Keyboard Issue Help


      Sounds like a bummer with your keyboard! I’ve had a similar issue with my right Alt key acting all weird on Ubuntu too. Here are a few things you can try:

      • Check Keybindings: Sometimes, the right Alt key can be mapped to something else accidentally. Go to Settings > Keyboard > Shortcuts and see if it’s set up right.
      • Xev Tool: You can use a tool called xev to see what key events are generated when you press the right Alt key. Open a terminal and type xev. A window will pop up, and when you press the key, you can check if it generates any output.
      • Remapping Keys: You could try using xmodmap or a tool like setxkbmap to remap the right Alt to act like the left one temporarily until you figure things out.

      Also, you might want to check if it’s a hardware issue. If you have another keyboard, try plugging it in to see if the right Alt key is still acting up. It might also be worthwhile to take a look inside the keyboard if you feel comfortable doing that—maybe some dust or something is causing the problem.

      Hopefully, one of these steps helps you out! It’s super annoying when things like this happen, especially when you rely on those keys for shortcuts. Good luck!


    2. The issue you’re experiencing with your right Alt key on Ubuntu could be attributed to a few potential causes. First, it’s crucial to confirm that the key isn’t being inadvertently remapped or that some specific function or application isn’t interfering with its operation. One thing you can try is to launch a terminal and use the command showkey to see if the right Alt key registers any input when pressed. If it does show input, the issue might be software-related, possibly due to an application handling the key press differently. On the other hand, if no input is detected when you press it, the key may be physically malfunctioning or could require a hardware fix.

      As for troubleshooting, consider checking your custom keyboard shortcuts under Settings to ensure nothing is set incorrectly. If you’re looking for a temporary workaround, you can easily remap the right Alt key to function as the left one by using xmodmap. Running xmodmap -e "keycode 108 = Alt_L" in the terminal might provide an immediate fix. Alternatively, if the problem persists after all checks and remapping attempts, testing with a different keyboard is an excellent next step to isolate whether the issue is with the keyboard itself. In the meantime, software like keybinding utilities can also help create new shortcuts while you figure this out.

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