Baldur’s Gate 3 swept up awards in 2023, and for good reason! This D&D-inspired RPG throws you into the Forgotten Realms, a world of ancient evils, mind-bending mysteries, and companions who might either be your best friends or worst enemies. But even the mightiest heroes can be derailed by a technical glitch like your Escape key suddenly going AWOL. Let’s get that fixed so you can get back to the adventure!
While you are at it, check my other guides as well:
- BG3 Disk Write Error on Steam
- BG3 Halsin Won’t Join Party
- How To Move A Loose Stone In BG3 Grymforge
- Backpack Glitch in BG3 Explained
Why the Escape Key Might Be MIA
Software Hiccups
Sometimes, all it takes is a simple restart. Close Baldur’s Gate 3 completely, even Steam itself, then start the game again. It’s the classic IT trick for a reason!
Conflicting Programs
Do you have other programs running in the background? Overlay software, like Discord or GeForce Experience, can sometimes mess with game controls. Try temporarily shutting those down.
Outdated Drivers
Make sure your graphics card drivers are up to date. Outdated drivers can cause all sorts of weird issues, so check the manufacturer’s website for updates.
The Dreaded Keybind Glitch
Very rarely, saved settings can get a little messed up. Try going to Options -> Controls and resetting your keybinds to default, just to be safe.
Verify Game Files
If something in the game files got corrupted, try this, Right-click on Baldur’s Gate 3 in your library, go to Properties -> Local Files -> Verify integrity of game files.
Clean Reinstall
This is a last resort, but sometimes it’s the best fix. Uninstall Baldur’s Gate 3, manually delete any leftover files, and then reinstall it fresh.
Larian Studios, the developers, have fantastic support (https://larian.com/support/). Describe the issue in detail and they’ll likely get you sorted out quickly.
Final Words
And with that, you should be back to opening menus, pausing the action, and saving your progress with ease! If you’re still running into trouble, don’t hesitate to seek help on the Baldur’s Gate 3 forums or reach out to Larian Support. Now, get back out there and forge your epic destiny!
