Alt/Option Key Issue

[U-sWYGE_f1T]

So I previously had an issue with the Shift key in that when pressed it would go from showing the desktop to returning to the app I had open. I could not use it to access special characters on the keyboard. Spoke with Apple support over the phone and could not fix it so I had to go to an Apple store and after going through a series of diagnostics it was resolved. Don't recall what he did to solve it.

Now I have a problem with the Alt key in that when pressing it the apps that are open are shown and when I let go it returns to the one I had in focus. Again no access to special characters. So not sure what is happening. Whether I inadvertently did something for this to happen or some sort of glitch of sorts.

Sticky keys are not enabled and Big Sur is the os.

 

[U-sWYGE_f1T]

So spent 2.5 hours with 3 different Apple online tech support specialists with no solution forthcoming. Back to the genius bar again to get a fix.

 

[KaliYoni]

Now I have a problem with the Alt key in that when pressing it the apps that are open are shown and when I let go it returns to the one I had in focus

Are you using a US keyboard? Is the problem you're describing what happens when you press Command-Tab on a US keyboard?

 

[U-sWYGE_f1T]

The keyboard is European. In any event, went to an Apple store and the issue has been solved. Seems that in Mission Control the Alt key had been set up to activate it.