[RESOLVED] PinballX suddenly doesn't recognize the keyboard.

[DesertStorm]

From one day to the next, PinballX suddenly stopped recognizing my keyboard — it only detects the mouse. Visual Pinball X and other frontends detect the keyboard just fine, so it seems to be an issue specific to PinballX.

Looking at the log, I noticed that it says a touch screen is detected, which is strange because I don't have one. I suspect this might be the cause of the problem.

Is there any way to disable touch screen detection or prevent PinballX from looking for it?

I'm attaching my configuration file and the log for reference.

Thanks in advance!

PinballX.ini

log.txt

[Tom Speirs]

So nothing else changed? No updates?

Thanks,

Tom.

[Tom Speirs]

note to the team, i see the running as admin again. i just tested, i am not seeing that here.

i also see from the log, plugin is not initializing,

[scutters]

I can reproduce by installing "Cumulative Update Preview for Windows 11 Version 24H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5058499)"

(PinballX doesn't respond to keyboard input [although they are recognised in Settings], but i don't get touchscreen detected in the log)

@DesertStorm Can you check windows update history, do you have this update installed?

 

[DesertStorm]

I do have the KB5058499 update installed — that could be the issue. It was automatically installed on May 30, 2025.
Hopefully there's a fix or workaround for the frontend, since it's important to keep Windows updated for security.

Thanks a lot for digging into this — really appreciate the effort!

[scutters]

1 hour ago, DesertStorm said:

I do have the KB5058499 update installed — that could be the issue. It was automatically installed on May 30, 2025.
Hopefully there's a fix or workaround for the frontend, since it's important to keep Windows updated for security.

Thanks a lot for digging into this — really appreciate the effort!

The keyword for me in that update is 'Preview', i think most people who don't work for MS would translate that as 'Beta' (and may have bugs)

Removing the update restores keyboard functions in PinballX for me. I'd suggest trying the same to confirm.

[Mike_da_Spike]

Good catch @scutters!

 

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/may-28-2025-kb5058499-os-build-26100-4202-preview-d4c2f1ee-8138-4038-b705-546945076f92

It's not a security patch, but just a "fix patch"

Quote

Improvements
This non-security update includes quality improvements. The following summary outlines key issues addressed by the KB after you install it. Also, included are available new features. The bold text within the brackets indicates the item or area of the change.

And some fixes that should fix keyboard focus

Quote

Fixed: When using Tab and Shift + Tab to move keyboard focus around the taskbar, if you go backwards at least once you can get keyboard focus stuck on the taskbar frame, which could lead screen readers to just say “pane.”

Fixed: On login, the keyboard focus might unexpectedly be set to widgets in the taskbar, which can cause widgets to open.

Maybe pbx is out of focus ?

I say: blame MS ! (but maybe @Tom Speirs can think of something to fix it)

[Mike_da_Spike]

13 hours ago, Mike_da_Spike said:

Maybe pbx is out of focus ?

No not a focus.
But I also can confirm that KB5058499 is causing the issue.
It is strange that when a startup video is added, the ESC key allows skipping the video, but once the playfield and wheel load, the ESC key ceases to function.
I do not see any indication of running as an administrator or having a touchscreen in my log.
Nothing in eventlog as well
 

log.txt

[DesertStorm]

Uninstalling the update fixes the issue.
Since it doesn't seem to be a security update and looks more like a beta or test build, I’ll keep it uninstalled for now.
Hopefully, future MS updates won’t include whatever change is causing PinballX to stop working.
Thanks for your support!