Keyboard Typing Wrong Characters in Windows 11 How to Fix It

Keyboard Typing Wrong Characters in Windows 11 How to Fix It

You press " and get @, the # key types £, Y and Z are swapped, or some letters type numbers. The keyboard usually isn't broken: Windows is simply using a different keyboard layout from the one printed on your keys, or a lock key is on. This guide fixes each case. If the keyboard doesn't type at all, see laptop keyboard not working instead.

Quick Test: Which Layout Is Active?

Look at the right side of the taskbar, next to the clock. If you see a short code such as ENG US, ENG UK or ENG INTL, you have more than one layout installed. Select it to see the list and pick the one matching your keyboard.

Common mix-ups:

• @ and " swapped: US layout vs UK layout.
• Y and Z swapped: German (QWERTZ) layout.
• A and Q swapped, numbers need Shift: French (AZERTY) layout.
• ' or " do nothing until you press another key: US-International layout, which uses those keys to type accented letters. Press the key followed by Space to type the character on its own.

Step 1: Switch Back to the Right Layout

Press Win + Space to cycle through your layouts. A small list appears showing which one is selected. Stop on the layout that matches your keys.

Step 2: Remove the Layouts You Don't Use

This is the permanent fix, because then there's nothing to switch to by accident.

1. Open Settings > Time & language > Language & region.
2. Next to your language, select the three dots (...) and choose Language options.
3. Under Keyboards, find the layout you don't want, select the three dots next to it and choose Remove.
4. If the correct layout is missing, select Add a keyboard and choose it (for example US or United Kingdom).
5. If a whole extra language is listed that you don't use, remove it from the Language & region page too.

Sometimes a removed layout comes back after a restart. If it does, add it again, then remove it again. This usually makes Windows forget it.

Step 3: Turn Off the Accidental Switch Shortcuts

Windows switches layouts with Left Alt + Shift (between languages) and Ctrl + Shift (between layouts of one language). They are easy to press by accident while typing.

1. Open Settings > Time & language > Typing > Advanced keyboard settings.
2. Select Input language hot keys.
3. In the dialog, on the Advanced Key Settings tab, select Between input languages and choose Change Key Sequence.
4. Set both Switch Input Language and Switch Keyboard Layout to Not Assigned, and select OK.

Win + Space still works for switching when you need to.

On the same Advanced keyboard settings page, Override for default input method lets you pick the layout Windows should always start with.

Step 4: Letters Typing Numbers? Turn Off Num Lock

On many laptops without a separate number pad, Num Lock turns keys such as U, I, O, J, K, L and M into a hidden number pad. Press Num Lock (on some laptops Fn + a key marked NumLk) to turn it off.

If your laptop has an Fn Lock (often a key with a padlock and "Fn"), it swaps the top row between F1-F12 and media keys. That's normal behavior, not a fault.

Step 5: Keys Repeating or Needing Shift Held?

• Sticky Keys makes Shift, Ctrl and Alt stay pressed after you release them. Turn it off in Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard > Sticky keys. Pressing Shift five times can turn it on by accident; turn off the shortcut on the same page.
• Filter Keys ignores or slows repeated keystrokes. Turn it off on the same page if keys seem to lag or skip.

Step 6: Check It's Not the App

If the wrong characters only appear in one app, check that app's own language or keyboard settings. Also check Let me use a different input method for each app window in Advanced keyboard settings. When it's ticked, each app can keep its own layout.

Step 7: Rule Out a Hardware Fault

1. Open Start, type On-Screen Keyboard and open it. Type with it in Notepad. If the characters are right, Windows is fine.
2. Plug in an external USB keyboard. If it types correctly with the same layout, the laptop's built-in keyboard may be faulty (spilled liquid is a common cause).
3. In Device Manager, expand Keyboards, right-click the keyboard, choose Uninstall device and restart. Windows reinstalls the driver.

Still Wrong?

If every layout and keyboard gives wrong characters, check for pending updates in Settings > Windows Update, and create a new user account to test (Settings > Accounts > Other users). If the new account types correctly, your old account's language settings are damaged; remove and re-add your language there.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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See Also:keyboard layout windows 11