Can't input backslash.

[hiredtocode]

Yes.

• VSCode Version:Version: 1.49.0-insider
• OS Version: Windows_NT x64 10.0.19041
  Tested with the latest insiders edition --> Yes.

Steps to Reproduce:

Not sure what caused this to happen but I used to be able to type the backslash but all of sudden it stopped working.
Backslash works on any other input areas such as Chrome, windows search or wherever but it doesn't work in VSCode ONLY.
Tried reinstalling VSCode and also the insiders edition. I now have to copy and paste the backslash OR type it by pressing the Alt key + 92 from the num keypad. The pipe sign works without a problem in VSCode. This started with the stable version of VSCode first and when I was about to report this bug I noticed from the report template that I should check with the latest insider's edition and when I first installed the insiders edition it worked but it stopped working again after initial setup (plugins). So as described in the template I tried running with all plugins disabled but problem still exists.
I'm using an American layout keyboard from Corsair K70 MK.2.
Please let me know if I need to provide more information. Thank you.

Does this issue occur when all extensions are disabled?: Yes

[hiredtocode]

@alexdima Please let me know if you need more information about this bug.

[alexdima]

@hiredtocode Can you please try the following:

1. comment out the content of your keybindings.json (F1 > Preferences: Open Keyboard Shortcuts (JSON))
2. open a new window (File > New Window)
3. disable all extensions (F1 > Developer: Reload with Extensions Disabled)
4. open a new untitled file (File > New File) and try to type in it

[hiredtocode]

@alexdima Your suggestion works! So, after checking, I went back to my previous window (original window that did not work before your steps) and the backslash worked until I un-commented my keyboard shortcuts but unfortunately I couldn't find the culprit.. I was wondering if you can take a look at my keyboard shortcuts and see what "could" be the cause of this?

// Place your key bindings in this file to override the defaultsauto[]
[
	{
		"key": "ctrl+k",
		"command": "workbench.action.toggleZenMode"
	},
	{
		"key": "ctrl+k z",
		"command": "-workbench.action.toggleZenMode"
	},
	{
		"key": "ctrl+q",
		"command": "-workbench.action.quickOpenView"
	},
	{
		"key": "ctrl+shift+q",
		"command": "-workbench.action.quickOpenNavigatePreviousInViewPicker",
		"when": "inQuickOpen && inViewsPicker"
	},
	{
		"key": "ctrl+q",
		"command": "-workbench.action.quickOpenNavigateNextInViewPicker",
		"when": "inQuickOpen && inViewsPicker"
	},
	{
		"key": "ctrl+k ctrl+q",
		"command": "-workbench.action.navigateToLastEditLocation"
	},
	{
		"key": "ctrl+3",
		"command": "-workbench.action.focusThirdEditorGroup"
	},
	{
		"key": "ctrl+3",
		"command": "turboConsoleLog.displayLogMessage",
		"when": "editorHasSelection"
	},
	{
		"key": "ctrl+alt+l",
		"command": "-turboConsoleLog.displayLogMessage"
	},
	{
		"key": "ctrl+4",
		"command": "turboConsoleLog.deleteAllLogMessages"
	},
	{
		"key": "shift+alt+d",
		"command": "-turboConsoleLog.deleteAllLogMessages"
	},
	{
		"key": "ctrl+4",
		"command": "-workbench.action.focusFourthEditorGroup"
	},
	{
		"key": "shift+f1",
		"command": "editor.action.inspectTMScopes"
	},
	{
		"key": "oem_5",
		"command": "editor.emmet.action.splitJoinTag"
	},
	{
		"key": "ctrl+oem_5",
		"command": "-workbench.action.splitEditor"
	},
	{
		"key": "ctrl+k ctrl+oem_5",
		"command": "-workbench.action.splitEditorOrthogonal"
	},
	{
		"key": "ctrl+shift+5",
		"command": "-workbench.action.terminal.split",
		"when": "terminalFocus"
	},
	{
		"key": "ctrl+r",
		"command": "-workbench.action.openRecent"
	},
	{
		"key": "ctrl+enter",
		"command": "code-runner.run",
		"when": "textInputFocus"
	},
	{
		"key": "ctrl+alt+n",
		"command": "-code-runner.run"
	},
	{
		"key": "ctrl+enter",
		"command": "-editor.action.insertLineAfter",
		"when": "editorTextFocus && !editorReadonly"
	},
	{
		"key": "ctrl+numpad_add",
		"command": "-workbench.action.zoomIn"
	},
	{
		"key": "ctrl+shift+oem_plus",
		"command": "-workbench.action.zoomIn"
	},
	{
		"key": "ctrl+oem_plus",
		"command": "-workbench.action.zoomIn"
	},
	{
		"key": "ctrl+numpad_subtract",
		"command": "-workbench.action.zoomOut"
	},
	{
		"key": "ctrl+shift+oem_minus",
		"command": "-workbench.action.zoomOut"
	},
	{
		"key": "ctrl+oem_minus",
		"command": "-workbench.action.zoomOut"
	},
	{
		"key": "ctrl+e",
		"command": "-workbench.action.quickOpen"
	},
	{
		"key": "ctrl+e",
		"command": "-workbench.action.quickOpenNavigateNextInFilePicker",
		"when": "inFilesPicker && inQuickOpen"
	},
	{
		"key": "f3",
		"command": "quokka.toggle"
	}
]

[hiredtocode]

@alexdima I think I found the issue here.
I noticed that some commands didn't have any - in front so I added to all of the missing ones and now the backslash works again.

The ones that don't have the - in the beginning of the commands were the ones that I changed shortcut keys before. So basically the ones with the - are the commands that was set in default.

So I guess there's a little bug that don't add - when changing shortcut keys my way so where's what I do usually to change my keys:

F1 > Open Keyboard shortcuts (not the JSON file) > Search for the Command or Keybinding manually > double click on the Keybinding column > press my wanted key combination > hit enter.
Occasionally, I right click and choose Change when expression menu to add under When.

Let me know if you need more details! Thanks again for your work. Much appreciated and I'm soooooo glad to have my backslash back!!

[alexdima]

@hiredtocode The problem was the following:

{
	"key": "oem_5",
	"command": "editor.emmet.action.splitJoinTag"
},

It is possible that you have changed a keybinding from the UI and instead of choosing Ctrl+\, you inputted only \.

@sandy081 Could we please add a big warning in the keybindings editor when defining a keybinding without a modifier key?

[sandy081]

Sure I can, but is it for all keys or only for some keys? Does the Fn keys are considered as modifier keys?

[alexdima]

@sandy081 IKeybindingService.mightProducePrintableCharacter can be invoked with a keyboard event and that could be used to trigger the warning.

[hardizulhardiyanto]

Open
Tools > Option > Environment > Keyboard
Set Default and Reset, if your in position Default just click Reset