When you enter the search bar, you can't leave it, making each key stroke being directed to it. This makes multiple binds impossible, including clearing the bind.
The only workaround is changing Full-screen.

Fabric 1.18.2 9.0+23

I'm unable to reproduce this at all, using:

controlling 9.0+23
fabric-api 0.77.0+1.18.2
fabricloader 0.16.9
minecraft 1.18.2
searchables 1.0.1
java 17

Can you reproduce it with just controlling, fabric-api and searchables?

Sorry for not clarifying, I encountered this issue in the modpack Create Astral 2.1.2. (1.18.2)

As instructed, I removed all mods except for 'controlling' and 'fabric-api', and added 'searchables'. The issue has disappeared, except for the ability to bind multiple keys.

+1
a qol mod having insanely negative downsides feels wrong

I'm unable to reproduce this at all, using:

controlling 9.0+23
fabric-api 0.77.0+1.18.2
fabricloader 0.16.9
minecraft 1.18.2
searchables 1.0.1
java 17

Can you reproduce it with just controlling, fabric-api and searchables?

there's no rain sound either so i'm gonna go with "packdevs are idorts and broke lots of shit"

Yea... I'm going to be closing this.

except for the ability to bind multiple keys.

This has never been a feature of Controlling, another mod would have had to add it.

Also needless to say, Controlling does not touch rain sounds, so I am going to assume that modpack has other mods that are interfering with things.