@ Key Not Working on Keyboard (Solved for Windows & Mac)

If your @ (at sign) won’t type, don’t panic. In most cases, the key is not broken — your keyboard layout is set to the wrong region/language.

A classic sign: you press Shift + 2 and get ” (double quote) or another symbol instead of @. That usually means your computer is using a different keyboard layout (like UK vs US).

Table of Contents

1-Minute Fix

1) Confirm you’re using the right keys (US vs UK)

US keyboard

Windows: Shift + 2 → @
Mac: Shift + 2 → @

UK keyboard

Windows: Shift + ‘ (apostrophe key) → @
Mac: Option (⌥) + 2 → @

If your result doesn’t match your keyboard type, jump to the layout steps below.

2) Quick fallback: Copy and Paste

If you need @ right now, select and copy this:

Then paste with Ctrl + V (Windows) or Command + V (Mac).

3) Quick keyboard layout check (Windows + Mac)

Windows: Look at the language/layout indicator on the taskbar (often ENG, US, UK). Click it and select the correct one.
Mac: Look for the input menu (flag/icon) in the menu bar. Click it and choose the correct keyboard.

Quick Reference Table (Correct @ Shortcuts)

Layout	Correct shortcut for @	What you’ll see if layout is wrong
US (Windows)	Shift + 2	Often ” (double quote) or another symbol
UK (Windows)	Shift + ‘ (apostrophe key)	Often @ appears somewhere else, or Shift + 2 gives “
US (Mac)	Shift + 2	Often ” (double quote) or another symbol
UK (Mac)	Option (⌥) + 2	Shift + 2 often types “

Copy/Paste @ (At Sign)

Now let's dive into Step-by-Step Fixes.

Fix 1: Make sure you’re typing @ correctly (US vs UK vs other layouts)

If you have a US keyboard

Press Shift + 2

If you have a UK keyboard

Windows: Press Shift + ' (apostrophe key)
Mac: Press Option (⌥) + 2

If your keyboard is neither US nor UK

Some layouts use a third key called AltGr (the Right Alt key on many Windows keyboards).

Try AltGr + 2, AltGr + Q, or AltGr + another key that shows @ printed on it.
If you see @ printed in the top-right corner of a key, it often means AltGr is involved.

If you still can’t type @, continue to Fix 2 and Fix 3.

Fix 2: Check and change keyboard layout on Windows (Windows 11 + Windows 10)

Windows 11 (most common)

Click Start → Settings
Go to Time & language → Language & region
Under Language, find your main language (for example English (United States) or English (United Kingdom))
Click the three dots (⋯) next to that language → Language options
Scroll to Keyboards
Do one of these:
- To add the correct layout: click Add a keyboard → choose US or United Kingdom
- To remove a wrong layout: click the three dots (⋯) next to the keyboard → Remove (if available)

Set the default keyboard (important):

Go back to Time & language
Click Typing → Advanced keyboard settings
Under Override for default input method, pick the layout you want (for example English (United States) – US or English (United Kingdom) – United Kingdom)
Test @ again

Windows 10

Click Start → Settings
Go to Time & Language → Language
Under Preferred languages, click your language (for example English (United States) or English (United Kingdom))
Click Options
Scroll to Keyboards
Do one of these:
- Click Add a keyboard → select US or United Kingdom
- Click a keyboard you don’t want → Remove
Test @ again

Quick way to confirm you picked the right one

US keyboard: Shift + 2 → @
UK keyboard (Windows): Shift + ' → @

Fix 3: Check and change keyboard layout on Mac (Input Sources)

Open System Settings
Go to Keyboard
Open Input Sources (sometimes under “Text Input”)
Confirm the correct keyboard is selected:
- US: U.S.
- UK: British
Remove layouts you don’t use (optional)
Test @ again

Fix 4: Quick toggle shortcuts (switch layouts quickly)

Windows

Press Windows + Space to cycle through keyboard layouts
Some PCs also use Alt + Shift to switch layouts (if enabled)

Tip: If @ suddenly “moves,” you likely switched layouts by accident.

Mac

Press Control + Space to switch input sources (common default)
If it doesn’t work: System Settings → Keyboard → Keyboard Shortcuts → Input Sources to see the exact shortcut on your Mac

Fix 5: Test if it’s a hardware issue (another keyboard / another app)

Test in another app

Open Notepad (Windows) or TextEdit (Mac)
Try typing @ there

Test another keyboard (best hardware check)

Plug in a USB keyboard (or use a Bluetooth keyboard)
Try typing @ on the same computer

If @ works on a different keyboard, your original keyboard may have a hardware problem.

Fix 6: Restart your computer

A simple restart can reset stuck keyboard behavior and reload settings.

Windows: Start → Power → Restart
Mac: Apple menu → Restart

Fix 7: Clean the keyboard safely (simple steps)

Shut down your computer
Unplug the keyboard (or disconnect Bluetooth)
Turn the keyboard upside down and gently tap to release debris
Use a soft brush or compressed air to clean between keys
Wipe keys lightly with a microfiber cloth (slightly damp, not wet)
Let it dry fully before using again

Avoid pouring liquids or spraying cleaner directly onto the keyboard.

Fix 8: Turn off Sticky Keys (Windows)

Open Settings
Go to Accessibility → Keyboard
Turn Sticky Keys Off
Try typing @ again

Fix 9: Turn off Filter Keys (Windows)

Open Settings
Go to Accessibility → Keyboard
Turn Filter Keys Off
Try typing @ again

Fix 10: Update/reinstall keyboard driver (Windows Device Manager)

Right-click Start
Click Device Manager
Expand Keyboards
Right-click your keyboard → choose Uninstall device
Restart your PC (Windows will reinstall the driver automatically)

If you see Update driver, you can try that first — but uninstall + restart is usually simplest.

Fix 11: Scan for malware (Windows Security)

Open Windows Security
Click Virus & threat protection
Click Quick scan
Follow prompts if anything is found
Restart and test again

Fix 12: Use On-Screen Keyboard (Windows + Mac) as a temporary workaround

Windows On-Screen Keyboard

Settings → Accessibility → Keyboard → On-screen keyboard (turn it on)
Or:
Press Windows + R, type osk, press Enter

Mac On-Screen Keyboard (Keyboard Viewer / Accessibility Keyboard)

Option A (Keyboard Viewer):

System Settings → Keyboard → Input Sources
Turn on Show Input menu in menu bar
Click the input icon in the menu bar → Show Keyboard Viewer

Option B (Accessibility Keyboard):

System Settings → Accessibility → Keyboard
Turn on Accessibility Keyboard

Fix 13: If it works in some websites/apps but not others (browser/app-specific checklist)

If @ works in one place but not another, the problem is usually the app or browser.

Try this checklist:

Test @ in a basic app (Notepad/TextEdit)
Try a different browser (Chrome vs Edge vs Firefox vs Safari)
Open a private/incognito window and test again
Disable browser extensions (especially shortcut, translator, or “keyboard” extensions)
Check app shortcuts: some apps remap keys or capture Shift combinations
Check the input field: some sites block certain characters in specific boxes (like usernames)
Try pasting @ as a quick workaround: copy @ and paste

Fix 14: When to see a technician (last resort)

Consider a technician if:

@ never works anywhere (even after layout fixes)
Multiple keys are failing, sticking, or typing random characters
The keyboard had a liquid spill
Keys are physically damaged or missing
External keyboard works, but the laptop’s built-in keyboard keeps failing

Troubleshooting

“Shift + 2 gives me a quote (") instead of @”

This strongly suggests the wrong keyboard layout.

If you need US layout, set it to US and use Shift + 2
If you need UK layout, use:
- Windows: Shift + '
- Mac: Option (⌥) + 2
Use Windows + Space (Windows) or Control + Space (Mac) to check if you accidentally switched layouts

“My @ key types a different symbol”

Confirm whether your keyboard is US or UK
Check your system keyboard layout (Fix 2 / Fix 3)
If your keyboard is European, try AltGr combinations

“@ works in one app but not in another”

Check Fix 13 (browser/app-specific checklist)
Try disabling extensions or app shortcuts
Use copy/paste as a quick workaround

“Laptop keyboard is missing keys / compact layout”

Some laptops use compact layouts where symbols are produced differently.

Look for @ printed on a key (often in a corner)
Try Fn + the key that shows @ (some models require it)
If your laptop has an AltGr key, try AltGr + the @ key

“It’s a brand-new keyboard and @ is in the wrong place”

New keyboards often come in a different layout than you expect.

Check the box listing: US, UK, DE, FR, etc.
Set your computer’s keyboard layout to match the physical keyboard (Fix 2 / Fix 3)
If you want US behavior, choose US in your settings

FAQ

Why is my @ key not working?

Most of the time, your keyboard layout is set incorrectly (US vs UK), so the same key press types a different character.

How do I type @ on a UK keyboard?

Windows (UK): Shift + ' (apostrophe key)

How do I type @ on a Mac UK keyboard?

Mac (UK): Option (⌥) + 2

How do I change my keyboard layout on Windows/Mac?

Windows: Settings → Time & language → Language & region → Keyboard
Mac: System Settings → Keyboard → Input Sources

How do I type @ without using the keyboard?

Copy/paste @, or use the On-Screen Keyboard / Keyboard Viewer (Fix 12).

Quick Recap

First, confirm your keyboard type: US or UK
Use the correct shortcut:
- US: Shift + 2
- UK Windows: Shift + '
- UK Mac: Option (⌥) + 2
If you get " or another symbol, fix your keyboard layout settings
Use on-screen keyboard or copy/paste as a temporary workaround