Backslash key not working on HP Envy x360

[LIB_from_DK]

I bought an Envy x360 Convertible in 2022 where the backslash key does not work!!

On the physical keyboard the backslash is located on the second key the left of the backspacekey. On the key backslash is maked in the lower right corner. Typically this means that ALT-GR must be held to use it.
On the key is question mark(Upper left), a plus sign(Center of the key) and the backslash(Lower right.).

However the combinations give me this result (With Danish Keyboard selected in Windows.):

SHIFT + key = a Question mark

key alone = a plus sign

ALT-GR + key = a plus sign.

alt+key = nothing happens

I have tried every other combination of keys on the entire keyboard with Danish selected as keyboard language.

Backslash is nowhere to be found.

How do I get it working? 

[TejaswiniM]

Hi @LIB_from_DK , Welcome to HP Support Community!

On a standard Danish keyboard layout in Windows, the backslash (\) is typically generated by pressing Alt Gr + the key with < and > symbols (usually located to the right of the spacebar). 

The key you are describing, which has ?, +, and \, likely indicates a non-standard or a region-specific HP key mapping that is not correctly interpreted by the generic Windows Danish keyboard setting. The symbol in the lower right corner usually requires the Alt Gr key. 

Here are steps to get the backslash working:

1. Verify and Adjust Keyboard Layout Settings 

It is possible the physical keyboard does not exactly match the Windows software layout selected. 

1. Open Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region.
2. Under "Preferred languages," find Danish (Denmark) (or whichever language you have selected).
3. Click the three dots (...) next to it and select Language options.
4. Under "Keyboards," ensure the correct layout is selected. If there is more than one, try a different layout, such as Danish or Danish (with Greenlandic). You might even temporarily add and test the "US Keyboard" layout to see if the backslash key works as expected then (it would typically be Shift + \ near the Enter key on a US layout).
5. After changing the layout, restart your laptop for the changes to take full effect. 

2. Try Alternative Key Combinations

If the layout is correct and Alt Gr + key yields only a plus sign, try these combinations:

• Ctrl + Alt + key: On some systems, Ctrl + Alt acts as a substitute for the Alt Gr key.
• The dedicated < > | key: On typical Danish/Scandinavian layouts, the backslash is found with Alt Gr on the key to the right of the left Shift key, which usually has < and > symbols on it.
• Fn + Alt + 92 (using the number row): This can sometimes work if your laptop has an embedded numeric keypad function.
• Windows + Spacebar: Pressing these keys switches between installed keyboard layouts. Try this to cycle through any other layouts that might be active in the background. 

3. Use the On-Screen Keyboard for Testing 

Use the On-Screen Keyboard (OSK) to confirm which key combinations produce which characters visually. 

1. Search for "On-Screen Keyboard" in the Windows Start menu and open it.
2. With your physical keyboard, press the Alt Gr key (or Ctrl+Alt).
3. Observe how the on-screen keyboard changes. The backslash symbol's location should become highlighted when the correct modifier key is held down. Click on the corresponding key on the OSK to input the character. 

4. Software/Driver Fixes

If the issue seems like a software mapping conflict:

1. Update Drivers: Open Device Manager (right-click Start menu). Expand "Keyboards," right-click your keyboard device, and select Update driver > Search automatically for drivers.
2. Reinstall Drivers: If updating doesn't work, right-click the keyboard device in Device Manager and select Uninstall device. Restart your laptop to have Windows automatically reinstall the generic drivers.
3. Update BIOS/Firmware: Outdated system firmware can sometimes cause such issues. Visit the official HP Support website for your specific Envy x360 model and check for any available BIOS or keyboard firmware updates. 

If you've tried all the relevant key combinations for a Danish layout and the key still doesn't produce a backslash while other keys do, the key or your Alt Gr key may have a physical hardware problem. In that case, an external keyboard or professional repair might be necessary. 

Hope this helps! Keep me posted.