On screen keyboard mode switcher button problems

Question

I have an issue with the on screen keyboard. This happens on both my Samsung 7 Slate and on my HP 2740p. The on screen keyboard seems to lose the mode switch button (bottom right) after a little bit of time (less than a day most of the times). The button becomes blank and if I tap it, it turns white and stays white. I can't switch keyboard modes or to transcriber. It also seems to have other graphical glitches at times.

This is somehow user account specific. If I make another user account the keyboard works correctly for a while before breaking there, too.

Also, my Metro apps seem to break randomly.

Answer 1

I suggest you do a refresh of your PC to see if that will restore the functionality of your system.

The refresh may resolve the other issues, but it is most likely to resolve the on screen keyboard and metro apps issue. 

Here is what will happen you when you refresh your PC:

Your files and personalization settings won't change.

Your PC settings will be restored to their defaults.

Apps from Windows Store will be kept. All other apps will be removed.

Follow the steps below to restore your PC:

Enter the Start screen

Click Control Panel

Click General on the left column

Under the Refresh your PC without affecting your files, click Get started

 

Then follow the instructions that will be displayed on the screen.

Once the refresh has finished, test to see if you still get the error message.

Let us know if this helps.

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Marilyn

Answer 2

This doesn't help. It happened on my other computer and it happens on this one. I've already done a clean installation of Windows.

Does this not happen with anyone else? If not, I'll assume it is due to some software I have installed.

Answer 3

Hey PetardF,

 

I haven't observed this behavior on any of the systems I've used so far. You may want to try uninstalling some of the applications that you have installed to test to see if normal operation returns after uninstalling a specific application.

 

Another option is to use the Refresh described by Marilyn above which will uninstall all applications that weren't included with Windows Developer Preview. Then try installing your applications one at a time to see if you can isolate the problem returning to installing a specific application.

 

Hope that helps.

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Steven

Answer 4

samsung 7 series and acer w500 do this to me, hoping we can find the offending app

Answer 5

this only helps for a short while, and on my w500 it broke metro apps for my windows live id

Answer 6

I have an issue with the on screen keyboard.

"On screen keyboard" is ambiguous.   I assume this means "Touch Keyboard"?   E.g. otherwise it would mean running  osk.exe  as input to your Metro apps.   So, you could use  osk.exe  as a diagnostic/workaround for an issue with the Touch Keyboard (or vice versa).   ; )

 

HTH

Robert Aldwinckle
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Answer 7

hello,

 

I am experiencing the same Thing on my asus ep121. after a clean userprofile it works for a Little while. but after launching a few Metro apps the mode Switch button goes away.

 

mike

Answer 8

I suggest you send Feedback on this as I have not been able to reproduce the issue.
You should also try a clean boot using MsConfig and disable all of the software and renable one at a time to try and determine if it is software that is causing the issue. Use the KB article below to setup the clean boot.

Article ID: 929135 - How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

We want to make sure we get the right info including your log files. Can you also submit feedback using the Windows Feedback Tool from the Connect Site associated with your Windows Developer Preview program? If you’re an MSDN subscriber, the information on how to join the Connect program is included on the download page where you installed Windows Developer Preview. There’s a link to the Connect site and an invitation code that you can click on to join using a Windows Live ID account. If you’re not an MSDN subscriber follow this limited use link to join the Connect program and then follow the steps here.

If you are prompted for an invitation code, please enter the following key. MSDN-76H9-3CFP

https://connect.microsoft.com/site1147/InvitationUse.aspx?ProgramID=7221&InvitationID=MSDN-76H9-3CFP

Thanks,

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Marilyn