Fix: ‘Keyboard Typing Numbers Instead of Letters’ Issue In Windows 11/10

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This article will explain how to fix your ‘Keyboard Typing Numbers Instead of Letters’. It works with Windows 11, Windows 10, and all versions of Windows before that. Some keyboards are made so that when you press the fn or alt key plus the button with a letter and a number on top or to the side, you can switch between typing letters and numbers.

Some users don’t know why, but all of a sudden, it won’t let them type letters and will only let them type numbers. First, though, we need to know how the keyboard works. Most keyboards have a side that only has numbers and a side that has letters and numbers (numbers and letters and symbols). Some keyboards, though, only have the alphanumeric side because companies want to use as little space as possible.

‘Keyboard Typing Numbers Instead of Letters’ Issue In Windows 11/10

Run Keyboard Troubleshooter

This should be the first thing you do. The Windows Settings app is where you’ll find the Keyboard Troubleshooter. It looks for and fixes the problem (if possible). After the troubleshooting is done, check to see if the problem has been fixed.

1. Press Win + I keys to launch the Settings app.
2. Make sure that you have selected the System from the left pane. Now, locate the Troubleshoot tab on the right side and click on it.
3. On the Troubleshoot page, click on the Other troubleshooters tab.
4. You will see a list of troubleshooters available on Windows 11 OS. Locate the Keyboard troubleshooter from the list and click on the Run button next to it.

Uninstall the keyboard driver and install it again

The problem could also be caused by keyboard drivers that are broken or out of date. Remove the keyboard driver you already have and start your computer again. After a restart, Windows will install the newest keyboard drivers automatically.

If not, you can manually install the most recent keyboard driver. You can also get the driver from the website of the manufacturer. Users of Windows 11 can also follow the steps above to install the keyboard driver.

1. Launch the Windows 11 Settings app.
2. Select Windows Update from the left pane.
3. You will see an Advanced options tab on the right side. Click on it.
4. Now, under the Additional updates section, click on the Optional updates tab. If any driver update is available, it will be shown here so that you can install it.

Check if you have selected the right keyboard layout

1. Open Settings app.
2. Click on Time & Language.
3. Select Language from the left side.
4. Under the Preferred Language section, select your Language and click Options.
5. If your preferred language is not added to the list, you can add it by clicking on the Add a language option.
6. In the Keyboards section, click on the Add a keyboard option.
7. Select the keyboard layout from the list.

Scan for Virus and Malware

1. Click on the shield icon in your system tray to open Windows defender.
2. Go to Virus and Threat protection.
3. Press the Quick scan button to run a fast scan of your whole computer system. You can also go into the scan options for more scanning choices. 

Update or Reinstall Drivers

A driver that is too old can cause more problems than you think. The files in old drivers are broken, which makes them not work well with the system. This makes the different parts act strangely. So, you should try updating your drivers. Here’s how to get the latest version of the drivers for your keyboard.

1. Press Windows + X simultaneously and click on device manager.
2. Expand the Keyboard option and right click on the first option and click Update driver. If there are multiple keyboard options to choose from, repeat this step for all.
3. Click on ‘Search automatically for drivers.’  This will automatically download the best driver for your computer system.
4. If you have pre-downloaded drivers, click on ‘Browse my Computer for Drivers’ and navigate to the downloaded driver location.

Turn off Num lock using an external keyboard

1. Plug in an external keyboard
2. Wait for it to install
3. If num lock is activated on your keyboard, the external keyboard num lock light will be on.
4. Hit num lock on the external keyboard to turn num lock off.
5. The light on your num lock laptop key will also go off.
6. Unplug the external keyboard

Turn off Num Lock on External Keyboard

1. Turn off Num lock on your laptop keyboard using the above method.
2. Now plug in your external keyboard and again turn off Num lock on this keyboard.
3. This will make sure Num lock is turned off both on laptop & external keyboard.Unplug external keyboard and reboot your PC to save changes.

Typing in safe mode

1. Open the Start Menu.
2. Click the power button.
3. Hold down the Shift key and click Restart. 
4. On the boot screen, go to Troubleshoot>Advanced Options>Startup settings
5. Click the Restart button.
6. Select the option for Safe mode.
7. Once you’ve booted to safe mode, test the keyboard.
8. If the keys no longer enter numbers, you have an app or script problem on your hands

Find problematic apps

1. Right-click the taskbar and select Task Manager from the context menu.
2. Go to the Startup tab.
3. Select each item, one-by-one, and click the disable button.
4. Restart the system.
5. Open Notepad (no other apps should be running on your system).
6. Test the keyboard out. If it is working fine, one of your startup apps is responsible.
7. Enable/run the apps again, one by one, and test keyboard input after each app has been run to determine which one is causing problems.

you can visit Microsoft support center for further help.

FAQ

Why is my keyboard typing numbers instead of letters Windows 11

When you press the letter keys on the right side of the keyboard (U, I, O, J, K, L, etc.), sometimes numbers come up instead. Most of the time, this happens when Num Lock is turned on. To fix this, you should turn off Num Lock. Press the FN key and F11 to turn off Num Lock.

How do I change my keyboard back to normal Windows 11

To switch between your input methods on a hardware keyboard, press and hold the Windows logo key and then press the space bar. If your device has a touchscreen, you can change the layout of your touch keyboard by tapping or clicking on the keyboard icon and then tapping or clicking on the layout you want to use.

How do I return keyboard to normal

• If you tap a text field in an app, the keyboard will show up.
• Touch and hold the button at the bottom right of the keyboard.
• Slide your finger up to either Merge or Dock and Merge, and then let go.