Steam Overlay - Can't type

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JosefBud Jul 29, 2014 @ 3:28pm

Steam Overlay - Can't type

Greetings!

I ran into this issue last night and am still dealing with it today. For whatever reason I cannot type anywhere in the Steam Overlay, whether it's in a chat window with a friend or in the web browser, I can't type... I can, however, use the space bar, backspace, tab, delete, home, end, and enter, as well as the number pad's ". + - * /" keys. The mouse obviously also works in the overlay.

To make sure it isn't a hardware issue, I tried using the "On-screen keyboard" software that comes with Windows, which ALSO didn't work. I tried switching to Big Picture Mode and using the overlay, and it still doesn't work UNLESS I use my Logitech gamepad to "type," or rather "select characters to type" using that "letter wheel" in Big Picture Mode's in-game overlay.

This problem came up last night with Total War: Rome II and the Tropico 4 demo, then today with Age of Empires II: HD, so I don't think a game is causing the issue. It was working perfectly fine two nights ago and every day before, and I did not install anything new between the two nights where it worked and then didn't.

I've obviously tried restarting my computer, but I really don't have any idea where to look next for trying to fix it. Hopefully someone can help?

-Josef

P.S. - I'm on Windows 7, by the way. If it helps.

EDIT: I just found out I can copy and paste text, and not just by right-clicking, I can use Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V

Last edited by JosefBud; Jul 29, 2014 @ 3:39pm

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Showing 1-15 of 16 comments

JosefBud Jul 29, 2014 @ 5:08pm

Bump

JosefBud Jul 30, 2014 @ 12:37pm

Bumperdoodles

JosefBud Jul 30, 2014 @ 4:03pm

Please, guys, one at a time.

Athos Aug 12, 2014 @ 6:40pm

Same problems here hmm.

JosefBud Aug 12, 2014 @ 7:14pm

Mine just randomly went away... sorry I can't be of help!

JosefBud Aug 12, 2014 @ 7:34pm

Haha... NOOWWWW I get responses when it's already fixed itself ;-P

Athos Aug 12, 2014 @ 8:17pm

Originally posted by z0rdôN:
that sounds mad annoying.. have you tried running your games in admin mode? that was the only way to get the overlay to even appear while playing AoEIII

try turning off the "directwrite" setting in your settings > interface. it has to do with fonts and stuff maybe it might help. I've never tinkered with that setting though.

No luck but thanks for the suggestion!

Do not troll me pls Oct 13, 2014 @ 6:48pm

I get this problem all the time and it's the same as yours. Doesn't matter what game I'm playing, just seems out of no where I can't type anything in game chat or in the Steam overlay.

If I wait long enough it usually goes away or I restart, but it's REALLY annoying when you need to type to other players or friends.

0xEric May 6, 2021 @ 12:47am

bump

Niali Feb 14, 2023 @ 5:40pm

I've run into the exact same symptoms, but not in the overlay - I'm trying to rename a group in my library, and found I can only type punctuation marks and symbols; no letters or numerals.

#10

Niali Feb 14, 2023 @ 5:43pm

Originally posted by China Shop:
I've run into the exact same symptoms, but not in the overlay - I'm trying to rename a group in my library, and found I can only type punctuation marks and symbols; no letters or numerals.

Update: Shortly after posting this, I went back to Steam to find that the group had been deleted and all the games that had been in it were back in Uncategorized. I created the group again with the name I wanted and had no problems.

#11

HAG Feb 24, 2023 @ 6:57am

Bump
Same problem, i want to make a coop dynamic collection but i can't type the tag.
Im somehow able to type a name for the collection if i unplug/replug the keyboard but thats it.

Edit: It appear that if i try to write a letter that correspond to the first letter of a game in the tag search bar the screen scroll down a bit in the game list. Its weird.

Last edited by HAG; Feb 24, 2023 @ 7:04am

#12