12

After using Windows or Mac OS X as the guest OS in VMware for Linux, sometimes my ALT, SHIFT or CTRL keys break and stop working. So I can't use ALT+Tab, for example.

Does anyone know what the cause is, and how to fix that?

Is there a way to make the keys work again?

Mark Henderson
  • 68,316
  • 31
  • 175
  • 255
Neil
  • 2,345
  • 8
  • 35
  • 44
  • Not really related to the question, but if the same thing happens on a Windows host, pressing the Ctrl/Alt or Win Key quickly about 5 times in succession seems to "unstuck" the keys again. –  Jul 09 '10 at 15:27

2 Answers2

18

To fix the keys, just run:

setxkbmap

And that should restore them to default behaviour.

Neil
  • 2,345
  • 8
  • 35
  • 44
  • 1
    As my Vmware Remote Console just crashed and I experienced the same issue, i shortly unplugged the keyboard and plugged it in again. This also did the trick ;) But thank you for the easier approach here ;) – Daywalker May 30 '17 at 11:07
0

You may be experiencing the VM capturing your keystrokes. If I am running VMWare or Virtual box my CTRL+arrowKey no longer works for rotating desktop cube. Also Gnome-Do cannot be called up with super+spaceBar. If that's not what you mean, then it's probably Neil's suggestion.

PS: Don't forget to install the VM software on the guest operating system (if available) to enhance integration, but I doubt you could very easily get your keystrokes to happen on both guest and host at the same time.

MetaGuru
  • 856
  • 5
  • 22
  • 35
  • I released control with CTRL+SHIFT+ALT already, and I've got VMware Tools installed. I'm not sure what's causing it. – Neil Sep 13 '09 at 03:28