diff --git a/desktop-client/room_widget.py b/desktop-client/room_widget.py
index 7437925..b36eeeb 100644
--- a/desktop-client/room_widget.py
+++ b/desktop-client/room_widget.py
@@ -209,6 +209,12 @@ class RoomWidget(QWidget):
         layout.addWidget(video_container, 1)
         layout.addWidget(self.chat_container)
         
+        # Prevent UI components from stealing focus (which breaks spacebar shortcuts)
+        for w in [self.copy_code_btn, self.leave_btn, self.play_btn, self.fullscreen_btn, 
+                  self.chat_send_btn, self.seekbar, self.volume_slider, self.chat_messages]:
+            w.setFocusPolicy(Qt.FocusPolicy.NoFocus)
+        self.setFocusPolicy(Qt.FocusPolicy.StrongFocus)
+        
         # Instantiate the VLC Player Wrapper
         self.vlc_player = VLCSyncPlayer(self.video_frame)
         self.vlc_player.signals.time_changed.connect(self.on_vlc_time)
@@ -259,6 +265,77 @@ class RoomWidget(QWidget):
             self.chat_container.hide()
             self.topbar.hide()
 
+    def toggle_mute(self):
+        current_vol = self.vlc_player.get_volume()
+        if current_vol > 0:
+            self._last_volume = current_vol
+            self.on_volume_changed(0)
+            self.volume_slider.setValue(0)
+        else:
+            vol = getattr(self, '_last_volume', 100)
+            self.on_volume_changed(vol)
+            self.volume_slider.setValue(vol)
+
+    def seek_relative(self, offset_ms):
+        length_ms = self.vlc_player.get_length()
+        if length_ms > 0:
+            current_ms = self.vlc_player.current_time_ms
+            target_ms = max(0, min(current_ms + offset_ms, length_ms))
+            req = self._tell_vlc_and_expect("seek", target_ms / 1000.0)
+            self.sync_action_requested.emit("seek", target_ms / 1000.0, req)
+
+    def change_volume(self, offset):
+        new_vol = max(0, min(100, self.volume_slider.value() + offset))
+        self.volume_slider.setValue(new_vol)
+        self.on_volume_changed(new_vol)
+
+    def mousePressEvent(self, event):
+        self.setFocus()
+        super().mousePressEvent(event)
+
+    def keyPressEvent(self, event):
+        # Allow typing in input fields without triggering shortcuts
+        focus_widget = QApplication.focusWidget()
+        if isinstance(focus_widget, QLineEdit) or isinstance(focus_widget, QTextEdit):
+            if event.key() == Qt.Key.Key_Escape:
+                focus_widget.clearFocus()
+                self.setFocus()
+                event.accept()
+            else:
+                super().keyPressEvent(event)
+            return
+
+        if event.key() == Qt.Key.Key_Space:
+            self.toggle_playback()
+            event.accept()
+        elif event.key() == Qt.Key.Key_F:
+            self.toggle_fullscreen()
+            event.accept()
+        elif event.key() == Qt.Key.Key_M:
+            self.toggle_mute()
+            event.accept()
+        elif event.key() == Qt.Key.Key_Left:
+            self.seek_relative(-5000)
+            event.accept()
+        elif event.key() == Qt.Key.Key_Right:
+            self.seek_relative(5000)
+            event.accept()
+        elif event.key() == Qt.Key.Key_Up:
+            self.change_volume(5)
+            event.accept()
+        elif event.key() == Qt.Key.Key_Down:
+            self.change_volume(-5)
+            event.accept()
+        elif event.key() == Qt.Key.Key_Escape:
+            if self.window().isFullScreen():
+                self.toggle_fullscreen()
+            event.accept()
+        elif event.key() in (Qt.Key.Key_Return, Qt.Key.Key_Enter):
+            self.chat_input.setFocus()
+            event.accept()
+        else:
+            super().keyPressEvent(event)
+
     def copy_room_code(self):
         if self.room_code:
             QApplication.clipboard().setText(self.room_code)
diff --git a/desktop-client/vlc_player.py b/desktop-client/vlc_player.py
index af05d5c..5518e12 100644
--- a/desktop-client/vlc_player.py
+++ b/desktop-client/vlc_player.py
@@ -16,7 +16,8 @@ class VLCSyncPlayer:
         # Initialize VLC instance
         # --no-xlib prevents crashes on Linux
         # --drop-late-frames improves sync by not delaying playback when CPU is slow
-        self.instance = vlc.Instance("--no-xlib", "--drop-late-frames")
+        # --no-keyboard stops VLC from capturing and swallowing keyboard events
+        self.instance = vlc.Instance("--no-xlib", "--drop-late-frames", "--no-keyboard")
         self.media_player = self.instance.media_player_new()
         
         # Embed the VLC player into the provided PyQt QFrame