Can't type in any Microsoft programs - Windows 10

Hi,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community, we appreciate your interest in Windows 10.

I understand the inconvenience caused as you are unable to type in Microsoft apps, we will help you with this issue.

I suggest you to try few of the troubleshooting methods and check if it helps:

Method 1: Run Search and Indexing Troubleshooter.

If you're having problems locating specific files, folders, or other items on your computer, try using the Search and Indexing troubleshooter to fix the problem. It makes sure that the Windows Search service is running, and checks to see whether you have the correct permissions to search all the directories on your computer.

 
Follow the steps given below to run Search and Indexing Troubleshooter.

1. Type Troubleshooting in the Search box from the desktop.

2. Select the Troubleshooting option.

3. Select View All option and select the Search and Indexing.

4. Click on Next to perform the Search and Indexing troubleshooter and follow the steps.

Also, perform SFC scan and DISM to fix the issue with corrupted or missing files.

Method 2:

1. Press ‘Windows + X’ Keys on the keyboard.

2. Click on ‘Command Prompt (Admin)’ to bring up an elevated command prompt.
   Note: Click ‘Yes’ if it prompts for permission.

3. In the command prompt type in the following commands one by one and then press Enter.

• DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Scanhealth
• DISM.exe /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
• sfc /scannow

Note: If you are not able to repair some files after performing SFC scan, I suggest you to refer to the point 3 “Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them. Details are included in the CBS.Log %WinDir%\Logs\CBS\CBS.log”. Under the section “Run the System File Checker tool (SFC.exe)” to repair the corrupted files after performing SFC scan.

Refer: Use the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted system files

Hope it helps. Please perform the above methods and update the status of this issue, we will be happy to help you.

I too have been having issues with not being able to type into Microsoft Apps or Windows search bars - but Google chrome  (including the window I'm in now) seems fine!

I currently have open - Excel, Word, Outlook and Chrome.  I cannot type into any, including the search box, or a draft email in Outlook.  Chrome is fine, except I often get 'Do you wish to turn sticky keys on' pop up!

Any Help would be much appreciated!

Thanks :)

Hi,

Have you tried to follow the suggestions provided by  Deepika Gowda  in the earlier post? If so, please let us know the results.

Also, I suggest you to to run the in-built Windows Store app troubleshooter and check. Follow the steps
⦁    Press Windows Key + X..
⦁    Click on Control Panel.
⦁    Select Troubleshooting.
⦁    On the left pane, click on View All.
⦁    Click on Windows Store apps to run the troubleshooter.

I have the same problem, intermittently, since upgrading to Windows 10.  I can type in Chrome, as I am now, but not in any Microsoft applications, including Windows searchboxes.  Therefore advice beginning "Type Troubleshooting in the Search box from the desktop" isn't any help!

Likewise in order to access Control Panel via the Windows key + X, I need to type "Control Panel" into the search box, which I can't do.   

The problem is intermittent, and temporary, and has now gone away again (it lasts maybe 10 minutes each time), so I have now run the troubleshooter, and it can't identify the problem.

Grateful for any help, as the problem always seems to arise just when I want to write that important e-mail, and waiting 10 minutes is a pain in the ....

Hi,

Thank you for posting on Microsoft Communities.

I will be glad to help you with the issue you have with the computer. I understand the frustration when things don't work the way it should.

I suggest you to create a Windows 10 installation Disc and perform a repair on the computer. To create a please find the below link:

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

To know how to create a disc, please follow the below link:

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-windows_install/windows-10-manual-upgrade-installation/8cb20cea-4d1c-4c1e-996c-b248493d10e8?tm=1438499976622

Method 1:

To perform a Repair on the computer, Please follow the below steps:

a. Insert the installation DVD or USB and boot Windows 10 from it.

b. In the ‘Windows setup’ page select the ‘language to install’,‘Time and currency format’ and the ‘keyboard or input method’ and click on ‘next’.

c. Click on ‘Repair your computer’ and select ‘Troubleshoot’.

d. Click on ‘Advanced options’ and select‘Automatic Repair’ and select the operating system.

Method 2:

If the issue persists, you may perform a check disk and check if that helps.

a. Insert the installation DVD or USB and boot Windows 8 from it.

b. In the ‘Windows setup’ page select the ‘language to install’,‘Time and currency format’ and the ‘keyboard or input method’ and click on ‘next’.

c. Click on ‘Repair your computer’ and select ‘Troubleshoot’.

d. Click on ‘Advanced options’ and click on command prompt.

e. Run the following command from the command prompt and press enter.

chkdsk /f /r X:( drive letter)

e. Press Y when you are prompted to check the disk the next time that the system restarts.

f. Restart the computer.

Important: When you run the check disk, there are chances of losing data so you can take a backup before running check disk.

Hope this information is helpful. Please post in case you have any further issues, I will be glad to help you further.

Thank you.

Hello, it's been a while but I hope I can help, because this issue was frustrating to me too. Aparently this problem can be solved just running this file:

C:\Windows\System32\ctfmon.exe

Here is the original article:

https://ugetfix.com/ask/how-to-fix-windows-10-apps-if-they-dont-allow-typing/

Hope it helps.

I found that the keyboard did not work for any Windows 10 Modern Apps, just for the traditional desktop apps. Finally I found through some Internet searches how to solve this problem:

1. Open Task Scheduler
2. Go to Microsoft > Windows > TextServicesFramework
3. On MsCtfMonitor, do a right-click and enable the task
4. Restart your machine

That's it. All the search boxes worked again!

If the task MsCtfMonitor is missing from the list of tasks, you can import it with the .XML file below:

MsCtfMonitor.xml