HP Chromebook keyboard issues

JohnC - thanks. The interesting thing I noticed is that the numbers on that unit are 100 times the size of the numbers on mine - which no human being could see without magnification. This thing is 80% functional, although it would not type this response at all - I'm on the new ACER, a very nice unit. I won't do the surgery but I was reading another thread here where the guy was worried about infections from porn sites or something and people were mentioning to run scans with Malewarebytes, etc.. I never ran any scans like that on these Chromebooks but I did get messages like " your computer is infected, run this scan" but from looking into it I think they are phony messages. I'm thinking to maybe run scans with different products (free) and see what happens. Maybe there is a chance that a virus or infection is jamming that keyboard?? I don't think I can damage anything by running the scans and that's the only thing I have not tried. I never looked into these scanning tools but maybe it's worth a shot? On the other hand, wouldn't the powerwash remove any invaders?? 

Chrome OS is based on linux so there is no Windows malware that will affect it. You are correct. The message saying you were infected is a scam.

PC PUNK: The sticking keys seems to be totally random - sometimes I'll try every key and temporarily NONE will type at all. As I mentioned just now to JohnC, I was thinking of running scanners and cleaners - I was getting messages about being "infected" but just ignored them as phony. There's a thread on here where Malewarebytes is mentioned. I do not know if it is even possible for this keyboard malfunctioning to be caused by a virus or malware or some infection. My understanding has always been a powerwash fixes everything. I would like to know if guys have run these scans and problems were fixed that a powerwash could not fix. Is that possible??   

This ACER has a thing on the back with the numbers clearly visible. Why HP would put numbers that can't even be seen is beyond my comprehension.

Chrome OS is based on linux so there is no Windows malware that will affect it. You are correct. The message saying you were infected is a scam.

There's a thread here, "Antivirus for Chromebook". They seem to be saying that even these Chromebooks can get infected with stuff unrelated to Windows. 

I doubt a Powerwash would fix it but John would know better than I.  I think you should wipe everything from your browser as I believe that is where you will have problems on chrome with infections, but again I don't think that will fix the keyboard.  HP laptops are junk.  Really, John's suggestion of a usb keyboard is the best unless you want to do a teardown.  If it is still somewhat new I would complain to HP till they do something about it.      

You didn't leave a link?

A powerwash probably will not fix it as that was done according the original post. I'm pretty sure is this a hardware problem.

Alright, guys, this is the end of the line with this. I fiddled with "scan and virus removal tools" but most, while saying they are for Chrome are not. 

Then I added "Scan Guard" and that did run and found nothing but then wanted 29 bucks or something for "protection."

Avast and Malewarebytes don't work on this, even though it was mentioned on another thread.

Also, I found some info on a "reset and cleanup tool" that supposedly is on the Chromebooks.

Mine only has reset feature, I believe the cleanup tool was discontinued a few years ago from what I could dig up.

There's a video about this "cleanup tool" on YouTube but my Chromebooks only say "reset", not "reset and cleanup" like in that video.

Anyway, thanks for the input from you guys. 

I will continue to use "as is" unless it gets a lot worse. The mic feature eliminates typing anyway so I'm keeping it.

Thanks again, and good luck to all.

Your welcome

One question. When you said you did the hard reset. That was using the refresh and power buttons?

Yes, John C, refresh and power

Did that a few times

And powerwashes a couple of times

I'm typing on it now

Balky, but I noticed if I hold the offending key down for a bit it will type it 

Greetings, guys. I'm back and here is why. Five or six days ago two things happened and have no idea how this can be. One, the popup box that appears on the lower right when you click on the time has completely been changed with rectangular boxes in blue and a different setup. Two, the keys stopped sticking!! That's right, the Chromebook has somehow "healed itself" and is now functioning with perfect keyboard operation as my replacement brand new ACER sits in the closet. This thing was malfunctioning for over a month and shutdowns, several hard resets, several powerwashes did NOTHING so I completely stopped doing those actions. PCPUNK, JOHN C, somebody explain this. I'm gonna make an uneducated guess here - is it possible an update fixed this? Why did the popup box change? There is no way I'm gonna guess that out of the blue this could happen. I did nothing so how could the problem disappear?? 

The different popup box has the wifi indicator in a rectangular box in blue, a bluetooth indicator in a same size rectangular box in blue, the volume and brightness indicators in thinner rectangular boxes in blue .There is a "cast screen" indicator ( I had to look up what the hell that even is) that was never there before and no more night light or dimmer switch or whatever it's called to soften the light and there is a screen capture indicator and a do not disturb indicator that are totally different from before. I didn't jump the gun buying the replacement Acer because the keyboard sticking was going on for a while and was getting worse. Also, how do I know this issue is gone long-term? The keyboard has not stuck for 5 days straight now and I'm thinking it coincides with the popup box changes which I figure happened with an update. What do I know? "The only significant truth is that I know nothing." - Socrates  lol

Alright, take a stab and explain this. My theory about an update fixing this probably isn't even possible.

Thanks, guys.

John would know more than I as he owns a chromebook, I don't know if he has chrome os on it though...now that I think about it.  Update maybe.  Many posts online say removing, cleaning and reinserting the ribbon fixes it.  

Maybe John can answer this:  When I go to the official page for your laptop I don't get the choice for Chrome OS?

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-chromebook-11a-na0000/35911561/model/2100019233?sku=18J38UA

PCPUNK: The problem with my update theory is that there would be thousands of people with the same issue and we would have heard about it. Also, it may not even be possible for an update to fix stuff like this - I have no idea, that's why I'm here!

Whenever I see the word PUNK I think of this clip, my favorite. Sorry, off topic alert!!

Can you post an image?

How can I take a screenshot of the popup box?? Is that possible?