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Please complete the steps on this page before contacting us for support, as it will greatly assist in solving the issue.
This guide helps you quickly identify the source of an issue with your keyboard. It applies to every Virtual Controller Supply keyboard, including the STARS Keyboard, ERAM Keyboard, and KSD. In most cases, problems are caused by simple setup or software issues rather than hardware. The steps below start with quick checks before moving into more detailed testing. Follow each step in order. This process will help determine whether the issue is related to:
  • The keyboard itself
  • Your computer
  • CRC
  • Something else

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Step 1: Quick checks

These suggestions often resolve common issues and only take a minute to try. Check if they do anything to improve or resolve the problem.

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Test

  1. Verify CRC is in focus, with the display that matches your keyboard active, when pressing keys. For example, the STARS Keyboard needs an active STARS display. CRC does not recognize key presses if a different application is in focus.
  2. Run CRC in debug mode and check the logs for messages related to your keyboard.
  3. If the keyboard is plugged into a USB hub, try plugging it directly into the computer instead. If your KSD is connected through an ERAM Keyboard, try plugging it directly into the computer as well.
  4. Disable software that could potentially cause interference, such as keybinding utilities.
  5. Unplug and then replug in the keyboard.
  6. Restart CRC completely.
  7. Restart your computer and then relaunch CRC.

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Result

If the issue is resolved, no further action is needed.
If the issue persists, continue to Step 2 for more detailed testing.

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Step 2: Test standard keyboard keys

The STARS Keyboard and ERAM Keyboard are composite USB devices. Some keys act like a standard keyboard, and others act like a joystick-style input. Your product’s key map shows which keys are which: This step confirms that your computer recognizes the standard keyboard keys properly.
Using a KSD? The KSD only has joystick-style keys, so skip to Step 3.

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Open a text editor

Open a text editor like Notepad, Microsoft Word, or similar.
  1. Click the Start Menu
  2. Type Notepad
  3. Open Notepad
Open a text editor like TextEdit, Microsoft Word, or similar.
  1. Press Command (⌘) + Space
  2. Type TextEdit
  3. Press Enter to open TextEdit

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Test

  1. Press several of the standard keyboard keys, such as the letter or number keys.
  2. Confirm that the characters you pressed appear in the text editor.

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Result

If the characters appear correctly, continue to Step 3.
If no input appears, skip to Debugging: Keyboard not detected.

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Step 3: Test joystick-style keys

This step confirms that your computer recognizes the joystick or gamepad-style keys properly. For example, the top row of the STARS Keyboard, the top two rows of the ERAM Keyboard, and every key on the KSD are joystick-style keys.

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Open a button tester

Use an online tool like Gamepad Tester or install a third-party application such as the VKB Button Tester.To use the online tool:
  1. Ensure the device is plugged in
  2. Navigate to the page linked above
  3. Press any joystick-style key on your keyboard to detect the device
Use an online tool like Gamepad Tester, or install a third-party application.To use the online tool:
  1. Ensure the device is plugged in
  2. Navigate to the page linked above
  3. Press any joystick-style key on your keyboard to detect the device

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Test

  1. Press several joystick-style keys on your keyboard.
  2. As you press the keys, watch the button tester application for buttons lighting up or other indications that keypresses are being recognized.

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Result

If the buttons respond when pressed, continue to Step 4.
If the buttons do not respond, try unplugging/replugging the device and repeat Step 3. If the issue persists, this may indicate a connection or hardware issue. Reach out for support.

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Step 4: Check CRC

If you completed the previous steps successfully, then your keyboard and computer are functioning correctly. At this point, the issue is most likely related to CRC not properly detecting or handling device inputs.

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Next steps

If the issue persists, please contact us and send:
  1. The product name
  2. Your CRC logs while running in debug mode
  3. Your operating system
  4. A description of the issue
  5. What troubleshooting steps you’ve tried from this page and the results
We can review the logs and, if needed, coordinate directly with the CRC team to help resolve the issue.

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Debugging: Keyboard not detected

If the standard keyboard keys do not work in Step 2, your computer is not recognizing the device correctly. Use this section for a KSD that does not respond in Step 3 as well.

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Try this first

  1. Unplug the keyboard
  2. Plug it back in firmly
  3. Try a different USB port on your computer, and avoid USB hubs if possible.

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Then, check if the device is recognized

Check the Windows Device Manager
  1. Press the Start Menu
  2. Type Control Panel
  3. Open Control Panel
  4. Click Devices and Printers
Look for a device called STARS Keyboard, ERAM Keyboard, or KSD Keyboard in the Devices or Unspecified sections. It may also appear as a USB Input Device, HID-compliant device, or a similar generic name.
Check System Information
  1. Click the Apple Menu in the top-left
  2. Click About This Mac
  3. Click More Info
  4. Scroll to the bottom of the General page and click System Report
  5. In the left sidebar, click USB
Look for a device called STARS Keyboard, ERAM Keyboard, or KSD Keyboard, or one that appears when the keyboard is plugged in.

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Result

If the device appears in the list, try Step 2 again.
If the device does not appear in the list, this may indicate a connection or hardware issue. Reach out for support.