Keyboard randomly inserts backtick (`) characters

Issue: After updating to macOS 27, my keyboard randomly inserts backtick (`) characters while I'm typing.

Example: When I type "has keyboard", it appears as "has` key`b`oard".

Details:

Happens in multiple apps (e.g. Chrome, Threads, Notes)
Mac model: MacBook Pro M4
Keyboard: built-in / external
Input source: Simple Telex

The issue did not happen before the macOS 27 update

Has anyone experienced this or found a fix?

Posted on Oct 6, 2026 6:19 AM

1 reply

neuroanatomist

Level 9 (72,871 points)

Oct 6, 2026 6:34 AM in response to quynh821

Random backtick (` ) insertion while using the Simple Telex input method may be a processing glitch where dead keys or accent-combining rules misinterpret fast keystrokes or punctuation spacing after an OS update.

How to Fix It:

Switch or Re-add the Input Source:

Open System Settings > Keyboard.
Under Input Sources, click Edit (or the + button).
Remove Simple Telex, restart your MacBook Pro M4, and add Vietnamese > Simple Telex (or Telex) back.
Alternatively, test with standard ABC or U.S. layout temporarily to see if the random backticks stop.

Disable "Use smart quotes and dashes":

Go to System Settings > Keyboard > Input Sources section
Click Edit next to Input Sources
Turn off Use smart quotes and dashes (or adjust diacritic/dead-key settings if available).

Test in Safe Mode or with External Input Disabled:

- Restart your Mac in Safe Mode to check if a background utility or third-party input hook is clashing with the new macOS release.
- Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support
- Unplug any external keyboards or disable Bluetooth peripherals to isolate whether the built-in keyboard or an external device driver is sending ghost key signals