Can't type ">" on French keyboard layout Omnibook X 14

[Cubitus]

The  > key (Shift + Fn + L), is inactive.
This isn't a hardware issue, as the same malfunction appears on both OmniBooks we purchased simultaneously, as well as on the hardware that was shown at store.
Is somebody has any solution?

La touche > (Shift + Fn + L) est inactive. Il ne s'agit pas d'un problème matériel, car le même dysfonctionnement apparaît sur les deux OmniBooks que nous avons achetés simultanément, ainsi que sur le matériel présenté en magasin. Quelqu'un aurait-il une solution ?

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @Cubitus 

Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for posting your query! We're here to help you get back up and running.

It seems like you're facing a frustrating issue with the ">" key on the French keyboard layout of your HP OmniBook X 14. 

Here are some steps you can try to resolve this:

Verify Keyboard Layout Settings: Ensure that the keyboard layout in your operating system is set to French. You can check this in the "Time & Language" settings under "Language & Region."

Test On-Screen Keyboard: Open the on-screen keyboard to see if the ">" key works there. This can help confirm if the issue is software-related.

Update Drivers and Firmware: Visit the HP Support website to download and install the latest keyboard drivers and firmware updates for your laptop.

Check for Alternative Key Combinations: Sometimes, specific layouts require different key combinations. For example, on some layouts, the ">" symbol might be accessible using AltGr + L or another combination.

Perform a Keyboard Test: Use HP PC Hardware Diagnostics to run a keyboard test and identify any issues. Instructions for this can be found here.

Let me know if you'd like further assistance!

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

[Cubitus]

Hi Hawks_eye,

Thank you very much for your prompt response.

I understand that you suspect a hardware or configuration issue with my PC. That was my initial reaction, and I followed all the steps you suggested before contacting the local support center where I purchased the PC.

This is highly unlikely, as the same issue occurs simultaneously on three OmniBook X14s (two that I purchased and the one on display).

I also want to point out that when I unpacked both of our computers, the "Shift+Fn+L" keys worked correctly.

It was only later that the "Shift+Fn+L" combination produced a "<" instead of a ">".

The local support center and I therefore believe that the problem will only be resolved by a software patch.

Sincerely,

Cubitus.

[Hawks_Eye]

@Cubitus 

You are most Welcome!

Thank you for your detailed follow-up and for clarifying the steps you've already taken. It’s helpful to know that the issue is consistent across multiple OmniBook X14 devices and that the "Shift+Fn+L" keys initially worked correctly. 

I recommend the following steps while waiting for an official update:

Check for Keyboard Layout Settings:

• Go to Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region.
• Ensure the correct French keyboard layout is selected. If it’s already correct, try switching to another layout temporarily and then back to French.

Update Drivers and Firmware:

• Visit the HP Support page for your OmniBook X14 and download the latest keyboard drivers and firmware updates.
• Install the updates and restart your device.

Test with On-Screen Keyboard:

• Open the on-screen keyboard (search for "On-Screen Keyboard" in the Start menu).
• Test the "Shift+Fn+L" combination to see if the issue persists virtually.

I hope this helps while HP works on a potential patch. 

Let me know if you’d like further assistance!

Regards,

Hawks_Eye

[Cubitus]

Hi Haws_Eyes,

Thank you very much for your help.

As you suggested, I modified the "Fn" key option in the BIOS. This doesn't change the behavior of the "Shift+Fn+L" key combination.
I haven't tested your other two suggestions, because I found a truly satisfactory solution, which I explain below.

I configure the keyboard as follows:
- Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard > Sticky Keys ON >
--- Keyboard shortcut for Sticky Keys ON.
--- Show the "Sticky Keys" icon on the taskbar ON.
--- Lock modifier keys when pressed twice in a row ON.
--- Disable Sticky Keys when two keys are pressed simultaneously OFF.
--- Make a sound when modifier keys are pressed and released OFF.

With this keyboard configuration, I no longer have any difficulty typing any text.

In particular, the characters "<" and ">" are obtained as expected:
- For "<", type "Fn+L".
- For ">" type "Shift+Fn+L".

Chaining multiple characters together is also obvious:
- For "<<<<<<<" type "Fn+LLLLLLL"
- For ">>>>>>>" type "Shift" twice, then "Fn+LLLLLLL", then "Shift".

This is perfect for me.

Regards,

Cubitus.

[Cubitus]

Hello Haws_eye,

Thanks for your suggestions.

Here's what it looks like:

- Check for Keyboard Layout Settings: No language switching changes the behavior of the "Shift+Fn+L" key combination.

- Update Drivers and Firmware: The test performed by HP Support returned the message "Detection was successful, but you don't need any new software or drivers at this time."

- Test with On-Screen Keyboard: The on-screen keyboard is independent of the physical keyboard. Its layout does not replicate that of the physical keyboard. The "Shift+Fn+L" sequence cannot be performed on the on-screen keyboard.

At the moment, the only workaround I know is to type "Shift+Fn+L" in "sticky key" mode.

Regards,

Cubitus.

[Cubitus]

Hi Hawks_eye,

In one of my previous posts, I mentioned the following comment:
"I also want to point out that when I unpacked both of our computers, the "Shift+Fn+L" keys worked correctly."
In fact, this comment is irrelevant and should be disregarded.

I now understand that, on that day, I inadvertently enabled "Sticky Key" mode, or, more likely, the PCs arrived in "Sticky Key" mode, which explains why the "Shift+Fn+L" key combination worked correctly for a while.

Regards,
Cubitus.

[Hawks_Eye · Accepted solution]

@Cubitus 

Thanks for sharing your workaround! While Sticky Key mode isn’t the most convenient solution, it’s great that you figured out a way to type the ">" character. It does seem unusual that such a simple character requires so many keystrokes on your Omnibook X 14.

Since HP’s driver update check didn’t show anything new, and changing the keyboard layout didn’t help, here are a few other things you might want to explore:

 

Potential Fixes to Simplify Typing ">" on Your French Keyboard

✅ Check BIOS/UEFI Keyboard Settings – Some laptops allow function key behavior customization in BIOS settings. If available, tweaking this may help.
✅ Try External Keyboard Mapping – Using a third-party keyboard mapping tool might allow you to remap "Shift+Fn+L" to something more convenient.
✅ Confirm Hardware Function Key Behavior – Since "Fn" keys can act differently depending on HP’s function key mode, checking F-lock settings could be worth a shot.

If you’d like to optimize it further, let me know! It’s always interesting to find ways around quirky keyboard behaviors. 🚀😊

Looks like the next BIOS release will have the issue fixed and will be available to download by end of May, please bear with us.

Also, A huge thank you for marking this post as the 'Accepted Solution'! We're thrilled that we could help resolve your issue. 

If you have any more questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to ask. We're here to help! 

Thanks again for your confirmation, and we wish you an amazing day ahead! 😊

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

[Amin_A]

I have the exact same problem, and it's so infuriating as a developer.

This started happening less than a week ago, i don't even remember updating windows or doing anything particular, it just stopped working. I've tried a variety of azerty keyboards and the issue could not be resolved this way.

[Cubitus]

Hi Haws_Eyes,

Thank you very much for your help.

As you suggested, I modified the "Fn" key option in the BIOS. This doesn't change the behavior of the "Shift+Fn+L" key combination.
I haven't tested your other two suggestions, because I found a truly satisfactory solution, which I explain below.

I configure the keyboard as follows:
- Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard > Sticky Keys ON >
--- Keyboard shortcut for Sticky Keys ON.
--- Show the "Sticky Keys" icon on the taskbar ON.
--- Lock modifier keys when pressed twice in a row ON.
--- Disable Sticky Keys when two keys are pressed simultaneously OFF.
--- Make a sound when modifier keys are pressed and released OFF.

With this keyboard configuration, I no longer have any difficulty typing any text.

In particular, the characters "<" and ">" are obtained as expected:
- For "<", type "Fn+L".
- For ">" type "Shift+Fn+L".

Chaining multiple characters together is also obvious:
- For "<<<<<<<" type "Fn+LLLLLLL"
- For ">>>>>>>" type "Shift" twice, then "Fn+LLLLLLL", then "Shift".

This is perfect for me.

Regards,

Cubitus.