Intermittent keyboard 'not responding' issue

[#1]

Not a very good title I'm afraid, but this issue is really perplexing me.

Every day on at least one occasion I get a situation where the PC doesn't respond to keyboard strokes (although it does to mouse movement and clicks). I can literally do nothing until this issue eventually resolves itself (usually after about 3 or 4 minutes). It's as though I can hear the PC doing something in the background, but what?

1. I've checked my keyboard and it's fully functional (except when this issue arises), changed the batteries even and checked I have the most up to date drivers. I've even swapped keyboards, but the issue occurs at least once every time I'm logged on.

2. I've looked at Task Manager and there is little or no disk input/output when this issue occurs and CPU use is negligible. However, I can see that the wifi is showing significant activity.

I've no idea what is causing the complete lack of responsiveness to keyboard entry and worry that something else is going on. Originally, I though it may be something to do with me running Lightroom and Photoshop, but the problem can also arise when I'm not even runninh these programs. This may be totally nothing to do with anything, but why would my DNS Name be showing up on the Task Manager as 'Ian' ? It got me rather paranoid thinking I'm being hacked what with all the wifi activity when the issue of non responsiveness to the keyboard is occuring. Probably a complete red herring I know, but I just think it strange to have a DNS name showing as 'Ian'.

I realise it's only losing me a few minutes at the time it happens (somethimes 2 or 3 times a day), but it's quite frustrating when it does happen, especially when I'm in the middle of typing an email or such.

If anyone has any ideas I'd be grateful to hear them.

Thanks

[#2]

@rogermhunt What OS and what keyboard are you using. I assume from your comment this is a desktop machine?

[#3]

@jab1  Windows 10 (up to date) and a LOGITECH® MK270 WIRELESS KEYBOARD & MOUSE COMBO. 

Yes, it's a desktop with Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Processor i7-4790S (3.2GHz) 8MB Cache.

[#4]

Run the MS defender Antivirus tool, and install and run https://www.malwarebytes.com/solutions/free-antivirus

Then report back.

[#5]

@jab1  I will start that now, but probably won't be able to reply until tomorrow as we're about to go out. EDIT: Defender scan just shows a PUA:Win32/piriformbundler (low risk)

Have to wait until tomorrow for the Malwarebytes.

 

Many thanks.

[#6]

OK.

[#7]

Piriform, isn’t that CCleaner? Must be the “extra” stuff that the installer flashes up which you need to untick to stop it installing.

[#8]

@RPMozley The link is to MALWAREBYTES!

[#9]

Calm down John. I was referring to the defender scan results.

[#10]

Sorry, RPM - the OP edited his post after I'd seen it. 😀

And yes, you are correct.

[#11]

@jab1  Ok I've managed to do both a Defender and Malwarebytes scan. The only thing picked up by Defender was the PiriformBundler (mentioned above). Malwarebytes showed no threats.

It's so bizarre. The non response from the PC just happened again. It's like it just goes dead for no apparent reason (but does seem to be doing something in the background). Whatever it is, it stops me from doing what I'm doing for a few minutes and then everything OK after that, until the next time. Hence my paranoia about whether something/someone is 'hacking' me.

Now, I'm literally going out so, won't pick up anything until tomorrow.

Thanks for your help so far.

[#12]

Try Process Explorer by Sysinternals, It's free and doesn't need installing.

Narrow the display to show just the Process and CPU columns, reduce the display to show only the top half dozen lines.

Move it to a corner  or the side of the screen. When the computer 'freezes' you may see what it's actually doing..................

[#13]

Good  idea, @Champnet . I forgot about that since I've been using Linux for the past couple of years.

[#14]

 @rogermhunt 

LOGITECH® MK270 WIRELESS KEYBOARD & MOUSE COMBO

Have you checked the battery status for the keyboard, unresponsive keyboard could be due to low voltage.

Dan.

[#15]

@Dan_the_Van  Yes Dan, I changed the batteries last week to new ones anyway and still get this periodic issue.