What do I do if the Esc and Tab keys aren't working on my keyboard for QB Desktop? They work on Microsoft Excel for example but not in QB. Help!

Hey there, Info931.
Allow me to be the first to welcome you to the QuickBooks Community. It sounds like you may have a damaged QuickBooks file. To resolve this, I recommend doing a clean install of the program. You can find all the steps to do so here, clean install QuickBooks Desktop.

I have a couple of tips to help gather your information in step 1. To best get your information before uninstalling you can press F2. This will show all the information needed when reinstalling the program later such as the license number, product code and even the company file location.

After the reinstall, run the Program Diagnostic Tool. This will make sure all the components that run alongside QuickBooks are running and updated, Once these steps are done, please let me know. I look forward to your reply.

Besides what MaulikH suggested, I just want to confirm that you've rebooted your machine.  (Yea, the first thing out of every tech support guy's mouth...)

You may need to do the clean install as suggested.  But if you haven't closed out all programs and one a reboot, then I'd try that first.  And, really *not* joking, be sure to run Windows Update.  Just make sure everything is up to date before you go through the clean install process.

And finally, if you do have to do the clean install.  Be sure to copy your QB's data folder to the desktop and even somewhere else as an additional backup.  DO NOT just do a QB's internal backup.  In theory that BU will be there, but if you're doing the clean install, it is so much easier to just copy back the data folder if you do have to go back to "square one" if something happens.

My tap button and ESC suddenly stopped working as well. Is there a different fix beside re-install ?

Hi SSE INC!

Thank you for joining this thread. Allow me to share more details in fixing the Esc and Tab keys.

If your Windows are already up-to-date, I recommend you update QuickBooks Desktop, too. This is to ensure that you have the latest patches and fixes installed.

You'll want to close and relaunch the program. If the same thing happens, I suggest you run the repair tool. Follow these steps:

1. Make sure to back up your company file, then restart your computer.
2. Open the Windows Start menu, then search and select Control Panel.
3. Select Programs and Features then Uninstall a Program.
4. Click QuickBooks from the list of Programs, then Uninstall/Change.
5. Tap Continue, or Next. Select Repair, then Next.
6. Once it's done, select Finish.

If this behavior persists, it'd be best to do a clean install of the QuickBooks Desktop.

I've added more articles to help you fixing if you encounter data-related issues:

• Verify and Rebuild Data in QuickBooks Desktop

• Resolving Potential Data Issues

Need more assistance in using QuickBooks Desktop? Comment below and we'll respond as soon as we can.

Also remember that whether you do the Repair as Alex mentioned or the full Reinstall, you will NOT have to recreate everything.  All of your Accounts, Invoices, etc., etc., are all contained in your Company file.  (e.g. Acme.qbw)

Be sure to copy the folder where your company data is, or at least your Company File before you do the repair or reinstall.  This file should NOT be affected, but just a good thing to do.  On the off chance something does happen, you just remove everything in the corrupt data folder and put the copied files back in.  This will put your company info back to where you were.  After the rebuild or reinstall, after check your company file, you can just delete the copy you just made. 

NOTE: You can do a QB "Backup" too.  But I just find it faster to make a copy.  Maybe not something you want to do daily as a backup, but works in this kind of situation.

I did all that nothing works but my CPA suggested to default general preferences under  edit. 

That Somehow worked . 

Thanks Tho 

Hi, SSE INC

I appreciate you following up on this thread.

It’s great to hear that you were able to get this resolved by adjusting the preferences in your Desktop account. Thanks for sharing that here in the Community too, as that’s exactly what this space is for.

If you ever need a hand again in the future, I recommend checking out the QuickBooks Resource Center. You can also find a variety of video tutorials here.

Of course you’re more than welcome to reach out in the Community. Assistance is only a comment or post away. Take care!