Alt and Shift keys not working

[zelnat06]

Hello there,

Can anyone tell me please whether this is a settings issue or some kind of glitsch? I am experiencing 2 issues:

1. In Illustrator, the Alt key + click  and drag usually duplicates an item. I've been using this shorcut for years but for some reason it is no longer producing a duplicate function. 

The function works perfectly well in Photoshop but illusrator just stopped being responsive to this shortcut. The funny thing is, occassionally it does work - just randomly, now and then even when I've done nothing different.

2. The shift key when held down and selecting various objects, usually allows me to select multiple objects. In the swatches panel, all of a sudden, I've noticed it randomly allows and disallows the use of the shift key like this.

This is a brand new computer (PC) running Windows 11.

Does anyone have any ideas what might be going on please?

[Monika Gause · Accepted solution]

Some other software is most probably intercepting and stealing the modifier keys.

Could be one of these: 

• WebRoot
• Apple Terminal
• Word, Excel, Powerpoint
• »Enable Full Keyboard« in Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard on Mac OS
• Apple Mail, Outlook
• Spacebar is used as a shortcut by the system
• Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari
• Wacom Desktop Center, Wacom settings
• Windows Touch Pad problem
• LastPass, Bitwarden (password managers)
• The VPN
• LangSwitcher app (it needs to be closed and disabled)

[zelnat06]

Oh my gosh I just tried the keyboard accessibility settings and it worked!

You're a genius!!!!

Thank you so much!

[Monika Gause]

You're welcome!

This list is the result of many people trying out things when running into the same problem. I have just collected it.