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Question

Keyboard disabling itself in certain applications

Mar 17, 2017 2:00AM PDT

I am having a rather strange problem with my laptop where the keyboard will cease to function while using certain applications. I have done extensive troubleshooting on this topic but it is fairly complex and I haven´t been able to find anyone with a similar issue.

The problem occurs with any autodesk software like 3ds max and Mudbox. It also occurs frequently with League of Legends, although that is the only game app that seems to cause the problem. I have played several far more demanding games on my laptop without any problems.

While using these apps, eventually my keyboard will simply cease to function. I´ve also tried attaching a usb keyboard when the problem arises but it doesn´t help. Shortly after this happens (5-10 min) the PC will crash. I get a blue screen and the PC restarts. Of course the keyboard still doesn´t work after the restart so I´m forced to shut down completely.

The thing about this issue that confuses me is that I´m unable to shut down my PC in the traditional way whenever it happens. If I choose the shut down option my PC will simply try to shut itself down for about 5 minutes, then just restart itself in safe mode with the keyboard problem still persisting. The only way to solve the issue seems to be to just force shut down by holding down the power button.

This issue can be somewhat hard to replicate since the timing seems completely random. Sometimes I can use the app for 1-2 hours without interruption, other times the problem occurs after a few minutes. Again, once the keyboard becomes disabled I´m essentially forced to just hold down the power button since nothing else causes the keyboard to function again.

I recently backed up my data and reset my laptop and reinstalled windows. This hasn´t solved the problem which leads me to believe the issue may be hardware related. Yet, the problem only occurs with certain applications and not others. Which would suggest that is related to specific software I am using.

Sorry if this is a long-winded strange explanation but the problem I am experiencing is fairly odd. (also incredibly annoying) I am on a Lenovo Ideapad y700 laptop. If anyone can offer any insight into this problem it would be greatly appreciated.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
I know that y700
Mar 17, 2017 8:35AM PDT

It's an ok machine but the symptom is typical of heat buildup. Are you keeping up the 1st of the month regimen of canned air vent cleaning?

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heat buildup
Mar 18, 2017 3:19AM PDT

The thing I don´t understand is that if the problem is heat buildup then why does it only occur with certain apps and not others? I can run a game like Ryze without any problems even with the temps going through the roof and the machine sounding like a jet turbine, but a far less demanding game like League of Legends causes problems.

Its the same thing with 3d modelling software. 3ds max suffers from this issue, and yet blender works just fine, even though I am handling the same models in both programs.

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So you didn't answer my question.
Mar 18, 2017 8:39AM PDT

I'll take that as no you don't maintain your laptop.

Time to start. Start with a daily vent cleaning for a week, weekly for a month and then back to the 1st of the month.

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Cleaned it
Mar 18, 2017 10:29AM PDT

I opened up my laptop and cleaned it thoroughly but to be honest there was practically no dust buildup and nothing obstructing the vents. Hasn´t changed the issue unfortunately.

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Then the next steps are hard on folk.
Mar 19, 2017 9:09AM PDT

We do a factory reset to rule out OS issues. If that doesn't cure it, then the news/diagnosis is the motherboard.