Codex CLI key input breaks on one Windows 11 laptop

on a Windows 11 laptop has a strange input problem where special keys stop working correctly. The same install and setup works normally on a desktop.

Codex was installed from the with NPM. The problem seems to happen after the window is focused again, and it appears in Prompt, , and Windows .

Enter does nothing, Backspace inserts a space instead of deleting text, and arrow keys send raw-looking strings such as `[D` instead of moving the cursor. Several days of searching and asking an did not produce a fix.

Key points

  • had broken special-key input on one Windows 11 laptop.
  • The same setup worked normally on a desktop.
  • The issue appeared in Prompt, , and Windows .
  • Enter stopped responding, Backspace inserted spaces, and arrow keys printed raw strings.
  • The problem may be linked to refocusing the window.
Read original