Hi, I am at a loss on how to get my ctrl keys working again. It is on a laptop keyboard and I'm not sure if they're broken, or locked, or what. Please help!

What is the make and model of the laptop, and, how are the ctrl keys NOT working? For example, ctrl-a is not selecting all?

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Originally Posted by HVAC888

What is the make and model of the laptop, and, how are the ctrl keys NOT working? For example, ctrl-a is not selecting all?

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It's a T21 IBM ThinkPad.
That's exactly what's wrong with it.

Have you tried other ctrl key combinations? Such as ctrl-shift-esc? To bring up the windows task manager? Have you tried the left and right ctrl keys?

Does this happen in Office only, or in Windows general?

Is Stickykeys (Microsoft's keyboard aid) ON?

If you have an external keyboard, plug it in and test the ctrl key with it.

If it works, then the laptop key may be stuck, maybe dirt got in, may be worn out from use.

Regardless of why, you should be able to Google "key binding" find a program to do that (typically used by gamers), and simply bind another key to give the same signal as the Ctrl key.

Be prepared to have to download a few different programs. Some want you to press the key to be emulated, which you are not able to do. You'll need to find one, like with a pull-down menu of keys.

I have the same problem with an older A20 IBM laptop.
Both ctrl keys are not working.
Any other answers other than binding?

Try an external keyboard to check if it's a keyboard hardware problem

When both Ctrl at the same time are not responding it can hardly be an hardware problem. The only defect can be the wire connection from such a key (as both are connected to the system with the same wire) is cut of somewhere which will ever happen. So this is a software issue. If only one of them was faulty we could say the mechanism of the key function is disrupted and need to be checked but both of them at the same time, may caused by something else than hardware. Try Press alt+ctrl+fn see if it will help

You don't have to replace the whole keyboard if some of your keys fell off. There is a key replacement company I ordered my keys from. I also have an IBM Think Pad and my 's' key was not working properly. I ordered from this company and they delieverd on time.They even have video tutorials on how to fix your keys. And its very simple. Here is the page for the IBM Think Pad Keys: IBM Thinkpad T21 Replacement Laptop Keys
Hope it helps!