Keyboard keys not working or typing the wrong characters

If pressing a key gives you the wrong symbol, or some keys do nothing, the cause is often a setting rather than a broken keyboard.

Quick fixes to try first

• Restart the laptop.
• Check that Caps Lock and Num Lock lights are what you expect.
• Gently turn the laptop over and tap it to dislodge crumbs, or use a soft brush on the keys.
• If you can, test with a USB or wireless keyboard to see whether the problem is the laptop or the keyboard itself.

Step by step

If the quote mark and the at sign are swapped, or the pound sign gives a hash, Windows is probably using the wrong keyboard layout.

1. Hold the Windows key and press the spacebar. A small menu pops up. If it shows ENG US, press the spacebar again with the Windows key held to switch to ENG UK.
2. For a lasting fix, open Settings, then Time & language, then Language & region (Windows 11) or Language (Windows 10).
3. Make sure English (United Kingdom) is your language, and remove any keyboard layouts you do not use.
4. If many keys seem to type numbers instead of letters, try pressing Fn with Num Lock, as some laptops have a number pad overlaid on the letters.
5. If keys seem to stick or repeat, open Settings, then Accessibility, then Keyboard, and check that Sticky keys and Filter keys are off.

If that did not work

• Install updates from Windows Update and restart.
• Make sure the keyboard is not damaged by liquid. If it has been spilt on, switch it off at once.

When to get more help

Stop and email us if only some keys are dead, there has been a spill, the keys are physically stuck, or the problem comes back after changing the settings. Do not prise the keys off yourself. Tell us the make and model and exactly which keys misbehave.