7 Simple Solutions for Chrome Remote Desktop Keyboard Issues

Recently, there have been various reports about issues with the keyboard functionality in Chrome Remote Desktop. Some users experienced difficulties with a particular key, while others faced problems with shortcuts. In some cases, both keyboard and mouse inputs became unresponsive.

This issue can stem from a bug in the latest updates to either Windows or Chrome Remote Desktop, incorrectly set privacy options, improper keyboard mapping, driver conflicts, or issues within the Chrome Remote Desktop installation itself.

Before diving into potential fixes, it’s advisable to reboot the device experiencing the problem, apply any outstanding application or operating system updates, switch Chrome Remote Desktop to full-screen mode using the toolbar, and check the box labeled Send system keys.

How to Resolve Keyboard Issues in Chrome Remote Desktop

1. Re-add the Device to Chrome Remote Desktop

1. Navigate to the Chrome Remote Desktop website. Log in if prompted, then click the Delete icon corresponding to the problematic PC in the Remote Access tab.
   

   

2. Confirm the action by selecting Yes in the UAC prompt.
3. Then, click Turn on, follow the default options, set a new PIN, and re-add the device.
   

   

4. Afterwards, check if the keyboard functions correctly in the Chrome Remote Desktop session.

2. Use Google’s Keyboard on Your Android Device

For approximately 60% of users encountering keyboard issues on Android with Chrome Remote Desktop, switching to Google’s Keyboard resolved the problem!

To do this, download Google Keyboard from the Google Play Store, then head to your device’s Settings. Go to General Management, select Keyboard list and default, enable the toggle for Gboard, confirm, and select Gboard as your default keyboard.

If your Android device displays a QWERTY keyboard while entering the PIN, consider rotating the screen, resetting keyboard settings, or writing down the PIN in another app to easily paste it.

3. Adjust Chrome’s Privacy and Security Settings

1. Open the Chrome browser, paste the following URL into the address bar, and press Enter: https://settings/content/siteDetails?site=https%3A%2F%2Fremotedesktop.google.com
2. Scroll down and from the Clipboard dropdown menu, select Allow.
   

   

3. Finally, reboot your device and see if the issue is resolved.

4. Reinstall Chrome Remote Desktop Host on the Concerned PC

1. Press Windows + R to access the Run dialog, type appwiz.cpl, and press Enter.
2. Find Chrome Remote Desktop Host in the list of applications and select Uninstall.
   

   

3. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation.
4. Next, return to Chrome Remote Desktop’s website and click on Install in the prompt.
   

   

5. Confirm by clicking Install once more.
6. Finally, restart your computer to apply the updates and check if the keyboard issue persists within Chrome Remote Desktop.

5. Update Your Keyboard Driver

1. Open the Power User menu by pressing Windows + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand the Keyboards section, right-click on the keyboard device, and choose Update driver.
   

   

3. Select Search automatically for drivers and allow Windows to find the best available version.
   

   

4. Restart your computer to finalize the changes.

It’s essential to keep drivers up to date since outdated drivers may lead to conflicts between the operating system and Chrome Remote Desktop, causing keyboard issues. If the most recent driver isn’t available locally, visit the manufacturer’s website for the latest version and perform a manual installation.

6. Remove Recent Windows Updates

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings, select Windows Updates from the menu, then click Update history on the right side.
   

   

2. Scroll to the bottom and select Uninstall updates.
3. Choose the Uninstall option next to the most recent update.
   

   

4. Confirm the uninstallation in the prompt.
5. Check if the keyboard functionality is restored. If problems persist, consider uninstalling additional recent updates.

7. Adjust Keyboard Mapping Settings

If you are using Chrome Remote Desktop to access a Windows PC from macOS (or the other way around) and are having trouble with keyboard shortcuts, configuring the keyboard mapping may help.

This involves aligning the relevant keys between the two systems, ensuring that keyboard shortcuts function as intended.

If all else fails, using the on-screen keyboard on the remote device can serve as an alternative measure. Simply search for the On-Screen Keyboard in Windows and launch it.

Hopefully, one of these solutions has resolved the keyboard issues you experienced with Chrome Remote Desktop, whether it be with keys like Ctrl, Shift, Esc, or Arrow.

Should you have any questions or wish to share more solutions, please leave a comment below.

Author: Egor Kostenko

My goal is to make complex technical topics simple and accessible. On this site, I gather unique and useful content that not only solves users’ problems but also helps them better understand the capabilities of Windows.