Tilde appears unasked for when Type tool is active

[IZM72]

Okay, so I’ve figured out how to replicate this.

Type something using the Type tool. Anything. Then let the cursor flash. Don’t switch tools and don’t switch to another program.

At intervals anywhere from 5 to 60 cursor flashes (but usually 50ish) a tilde will appear. This happens across multiple computers and versions of Illustrator going back years.

I’ve caught and corrected it a thousand times, but have missed it waaaaay too often. I had the phantom tilde make it into a national publication in 2018, and just last week, something that went to an important customer.

I can’t be the only one this happens to.

Cheers.

[Monika Gause]

I have never seen that. Is your keyboard working OK? ANy extensions installed that enhance keyboard input?

[Bobby Henderson · Accepted solution]

Are you using any third party apps that prevents your computer from going to sleep? An app called Caffeine is a known culprit. A discussion thread from 3 or 4 years ago discussed it.

Some apps will mess around with keyboard operations and keyboard shortcut combinations. NVidia's overlay will grab ownership of the Alt+Z shortcut.

[IZM72]

Huh. Wow. That was it. Have been using Caffeine for at least 15 years.

Thanks, Bobby.