# CNTL key not working
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cntl-key-not-working/134201
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [October 28, 2002, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cntl-key-not-working/134201 "2002-10-28T04:28:32Z")
**Posts on this page:** 7
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)
#### Post date: [October 28, 2002, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cntl-key-not-working/134201/1 "2002-10-28T04:28:32Z")
It appears my CNTL key isn’t working. I can’t CNTL-ALT-DEL, CNTL-C, CNTL-V, CNTL-F, CNTL-_anything_. I’ve tried using both of them, and no joy. I tried using Gateway Go-Back to revert my system to a couple of days ago when I knew for sure the CNTL key was working. I downloaded the latest Norton Anti-Virus files and ran a full scan in case I picked up a virus somewhere.
Any ideas? Have both of my CNTL keys just gone bad? Or is did a setting get changed? Or something else?
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### Author:  [@Achernar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achernar)
#### Post date: [October 28, 2002, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cntl-key-not-working/134201/2 "2002-10-28T04:40:27Z")
If you press Ctrl-V in a word processor, does nothing happen, or does a V appear? If the Ctrl key is just dead, then a V should appear, methinks.
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### Author:  [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)
#### Post date: [October 28, 2002, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cntl-key-not-working/134201/3 "2002-10-28T07:42:23Z")
If you’re using Windows and need a Ctrl you can use the “On Screen Keyboard” in
Programs|Accessories|System Tools. That lets you use your mouse.
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### Author:  [@Urban\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urban_Ranger)
#### Post date: [October 28, 2002, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cntl-key-not-working/134201/4 "2002-10-28T11:32:46Z")
Maybe you were pushing the \ key?
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### Author:  [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)
#### Post date: [October 28, 2002, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cntl-key-not-working/134201/5 "2002-10-28T13:49:31Z")
**Achernar** : I forgot to post that in the OP. I tried to copy a paragraph and just got a lower-case c.
Okay if my CNTL key is dead, can I fix it? Or do I need a new keyboard?
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### Author:  [@Achernar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achernar)
#### Post date: [October 28, 2002, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cntl-key-not-working/134201/6 "2002-10-28T19:01:01Z")
I have had keys go kaput, just like you describe, after spilling soda on the keyboard. I cleaned it out, and it worked fine. As I understand from the discussions on this boards, cleaning is:[ul][_]Somewhat likely to fix your problem[_]Possibly likely to ruin your keyboardA huge waste of time, since keyboards are cheap.[/ul]So, it’s up to you.
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### Author:  [@happyheathen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/happyheathen)
#### Post date: [October 28, 2002, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cntl-key-not-working/134201/7 "2002-10-28T19:14:27Z")
Check the connections - then get a new keyboard - then try to fix the old one - you’ll probably damage it further, and won’t you be happy you have a replacement on-hand?
For both to go, it’s probably a defect in the membrane - open it and play, but don’t expect much.
p.s. - right-click to cut/copy/paste