"Q" on the keyboard doesn't register first click M4 Max 14

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Level 1

5 points

"Q" on the keyboard doesn't register first click M4 Max 14

Got a new MacBook and noticed something super strange. "Q" key doesn't register every first press, next presses are registered normally but always the first one is completely ignored. after some time or switching to new content window it happens again.

I uploaded examples to youtube

https://youtu.be/IpC3uSbXIws

https://youtu.be/CgRRCAXD5YI

https://youtube.com/shorts/eJIdVt6zXvw

Slow key are off
mouse control is off
sticky keys are off
i don't have any keyboard modifier like rectangle
It happens with external keyboard and with built-in MacBook keyboard
I reinstalled MacOs without erasing data
and with erasing data
contacted apple support, the guy was unable to solve my problem
I even had it replaced for a brand new unit, and still after configuring and installing my apps bug persists
on one of the vids with accessibility keyboard macos sees the input but ignores it for some reason.

It has to be some app interfering with the input, but booting in safe mode should disable any app processes...

It's a MBP 14" M4 Max 16/40 64 GB 2TB | MacOs 15.3.1

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 15.3

Posted on Feb 13, 2025 11:39 AM

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Answer 1

Feb 13, 2025 11:53 AM in response to Astee_

You already did some good troubleshooting. Did you try in Safe Mode?

If the problem does not happen in Safe Mode (and expect that in Safe Mode things will work correctly), then it is indeed some third party software causing the problem. In that case: Please run Etrecheck and post its full report here. Use the "additional text" button and paste the report into the text box.

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Answer 2

Feb 13, 2025 12:16 PM in response to Astee_

Thank you for replying.

I can't see any obvious reason for this.

One other test: make a new user account, and log in to that account. Does it also suffer from the same problem?

If not, then it is something specifically in your account.

One important aside: I see that you have Final Cut Pro, and also Chrome.

This is a bad combination, as Chrome (and, especially, its "keystone" background tasks) are well known to wreak havoc on video applications (not just FCP, it also affects Premiere Pro, for example). These poorly programmed background tasks hog the system videotoolbox for apparently no reason.

Consider uninstalling Chrome completely (see https:/chromeisbad.com for an explanation)

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Answer 3

Astee_ Author

Level 1

5 points

Feb 13, 2025 12:03 PM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Hi Luis, thank you so much for taking the time to respond

Does the same problem happen if you click "Q" on the onscreen keyboard instead of pressing the actual key?

No... Onscreen keyboard works perfectly.

And how is Command-Q triggering the lock screen (your third video) instead of quitting whatever application is in front? That is weird.

I actually pressed Option + Command + Q there, I use it often to lock screen, as you can see I had to press it twice...

Did you try in Safe Mode?

Yes, it's fixed for like 30-60 seconds and then the bug comes back. Looks like some 3rd party software is loading and it causes the problem. But i thought safe mode disables everything?

Please run Etrecheck and post its full report here.

Ok, posting in additional text

EtreCheckPro version: 6.8.8 (68072)

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Answer 4

Feb 13, 2025 11:56 AM in response to Astee_

Does the same problem happen if you click "Q" on the onscreen keyboard instead of pressing the actual key?

And how is Command-Q triggering the lock screen (your third video) instead of quitting whatever application is in front? That is weird.

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Answer 5

Astee_ Author

Level 1

5 points

Feb 13, 2025 12:31 PM in response to Luis Sequeira1

I see, honestly i mainly use Arc Browser, I downloaded chrome on this new Mac just to import some data to arc. Thanks for good tip, I will delete chrome.

On other user (without an apple ID) first login is perfect (I included "q" in the password for test) but then the bug comes back.

I honestly don't know what to do, I've had couple of macbooks and a lot of apple products, never had anything similar, this is so strange and abstract to me....

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Answer 6

Feb 14, 2025 10:20 AM in response to Astee_

This is really weird. I can't see what could make the same "Q" key fail like this. It is not hardware, since it happens with different keyboards; and it should not be some third party software, since it happens even in Safe Mode; and it is probably not some weird account malfunction, since it appears also in a fresh account... I'm stymied. :-(

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