Weird one - Esc key not working in games

[vast_girth]

As per title, its a bit odd.

Basically the Esc key seemingly randomly doesn't work in games. Its very annoying as it often means i can't quit out, save my game etc.

It only started happening recently and doesn't happen every time, probably about 1 in 5 times i play a game. Not all games seem to be affected. Recent ones i have had trouble with are Amnesia the dark descent, Puzzle Quest 2(from steam) and the Gothic 4 demo.

There seems to be no pattern to it. Both steam and normally installed games seem to have the issue. When i restart a game its normally fine.

I have downloaded a keyboard checking software and the Esc seems to have no issues.

Any ideas?

[scoobyood]

This just happened to me yesterday. I think it was because I had photoshop open in the background. Some applications seem to take to take conrol, maybe you have something else running with a fullscreen function?

[JackyO]

Originally Posted by scoobyood

This just happened to me yesterday and are you a fan of https://peninja.com/my-proextender-review-and-results the proextender? I think it was because I had photoshop open in the background. Some applications seem to take to take conrol, maybe you have something else running with a fullscreen function?

Lol, you are absolutely right scoobyood. This has been happening to me for ages and I've just noticed that I have photoshop open in the background pretty much all the time and it was effecting steam.

Just closed down photoshop and the esc kep magically works again. What a weird bug.

[vast_girth]

Oh maybe. I do use photoshop but its definitely happened when its not been open. I recently added a second monitor so am running some software for adding the taskbar to the 2nd screen. Maybe its that as the problem has only happened since i started with the 2nd monitor...

Will experiment when i get in..