Alt Key Not Working on Keyboard? Fix It Fast (Windows + Mac)

The Alt key is a “modifier key” that changes what other keys do. On Windows, it powers lots of shortcuts (like Alt + Tab) and is also used for Alt codes (typing symbols with a number code).

So when the Alt key stops working, shortcuts break, menus behave weirdly, and you may think your keyboard is “dead” — even when it’s actually a settings issue.

Table of Contents

1-Minute Fix Checklist (try these first)

Restart your computer
A restart clears temporary glitches and reloads keyboard drivers.
Try the other Alt key
Most keyboards have Left Alt and Right Alt (sometimes AltGr). If only one Alt key is “dead,” that’s a big clue.
Try Alt in a different place
Test in:

A different app (Chrome, Notepad, Word)
A different text box (search bar, address bar)

Turn off Sticky Keys / Filter Keys
These accessibility features can change how modifier keys behave.
Check keyboard layout (AltGr vs Alt)
On some keyboard layouts, the Right Alt key becomes AltGr, which can behave differently.
Test with the On-Screen Keyboard
If Alt works on the on-screen keyboard, your problem might be the physical key (or keyboard hardware).

Quick Diagnosis (hardware vs settings)

Before you do a lot of steps, run these 3 quick tests:

Test A: On-Screen Keyboard highlight test (Windows)

Open the On-Screen Keyboard and click Alt on the screen.

If it highlights and shortcuts work using the on-screen Alt, the software/settings side is probably okay.
If even the on-screen Alt doesn’t work, it’s more likely a settings/app issue.

(Microsoft’s steps for opening the On-Screen Keyboard are here.)

Test B: Try an external keyboard

Plug in a simple USB keyboard (or connect a Bluetooth keyboard).

If Alt works on the external keyboard → likely your laptop keyboard hardware (or a laptop-specific keyboard setting).
If Alt fails on both → likely Windows settings/software.

Test C: Try Alt outside Windows/macOS (if possible)

Windows: Try Alt at the sign-in screen (or BIOS/UEFI if you’re comfortable).
Mac: Try Option/Alt at the login screen.

If it fails even there, the chance of a hardware problem goes up.

Windows: Fixes in Order (easy → advanced)

Fix 1: Restart + reconnect (USB/Bluetooth)

Desktop USB keyboard: Unplug → wait 10 seconds → plug back in (try a different USB port).
Bluetooth keyboard: Turn Bluetooth off/on → remove the keyboard → pair it again.
Laptop: Restart and test again.

Fix 2: Quick clean/inspect around the key (safe only)

Do external cleaning only:

Turn off the laptop (or unplug the keyboard).
Use a soft brush or compressed air around the Alt key.
Wipe the surface gently with a slightly damp microfiber cloth.

Avoid pulling keycaps unless you know your keyboard supports it safely.

Fix 3: Test with the On-Screen Keyboard (Windows)

Windows 11 / 10 steps:

Start → Settings
Accessibility → Keyboard
Turn on On-Screen Keyboard

Now try Alt shortcuts using the on-screen Alt key.

Fix 4: Turn off Sticky Keys / Filter Keys

These can interfere with how Alt behaves.

Fast shortcut checks:

Press Shift 5 times → Sticky Keys prompt may appear
Hold Right Shift for 8 seconds → Filter Keys may toggle

Settings path (Windows 11/10):

Start → Settings → Accessibility → Keyboard
Turn Sticky Keys off (and also check related toggles)
Turn Filter Keys off

Fix 5: Check language/keyboard layout (AltGr vs Alt)

If your Right Alt is acting strange, it might be AltGr (common on UK/Europe layouts). AltGr is often used to type extra characters (like @ or € on some keyboards), so it can behave differently than Left Alt.

To check layouts:

Start → Settings → Time & language → Language & region
Look for Keyboards / Input methods
Remove layouts you don’t use
Keep only the layout that matches your keyboard

Tip: If only Right Alt fails but Left Alt works, layout/AltGr is a top suspect.

Fix 6: Check if a remapping tool is running (PowerToys, AutoHotkey, etc.)

Beginner-friendly check:

Did you install anything that changes keyboard shortcuts (PowerToys, AutoHotkey scripts, “macro” tools)?
If yes, close it completely (or temporarily disable remaps) and test Alt again.

Even one small remap can make Alt “do nothing.”

Fix 7: Disable gaming/keyboard software profiles (only if you use one)

If you have Logitech/Razer/Corsair/SteelSeries software installed, it may be applying a profile that changes modifier keys.

Quick test:

Exit the app from the system tray (near the clock)
Restart your PC
Test Alt again

Fix 8: Update (or reinstall) the keyboard driver (safe Windows steps)

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

This is usually safe because Windows brings it back on reboot.

Fix 9: Check Windows accessibility shortcuts that can “hijack” keyboard behavior

Windows has built-in keyboard accessibility shortcuts that can toggle features without you noticing (like Sticky/Filter Keys). Re-check Fix 4 and make sure those are off.

Fix 10: Test with a new Windows user profile (optional but helpful)

Sometimes the problem is inside one Windows account.

Quick test:

Create a new local user
Sign into the new user
Test Alt

If it works there, something in your main profile (settings, startup apps, remaps) is likely causing it.

Fix 11: Safe Mode test (optional)

Safe Mode loads fewer drivers and startup apps.

If Alt works in Safe Mode but not normally:

A startup program, driver, or remapping tool is likely the cause.

Keep this step short: you only need it for a quick “yes/no” test.

Fix 12: External keyboard workaround (short-term)

If you urgently need Alt shortcuts today:

Use a cheap USB keyboard for now
Or use the On-Screen Keyboard for temporary Alt presses

Fix 13: When to replace the keyboard / get repair help (final)

Consider repair or replacement if:

Alt doesn’t work on the login screen/BIOS
Alt fails even after you disable Sticky/Filter Keys + remaps
The key feels physically stuck, mushy, or inconsistent
Liquid spill happened recently

For laptops, a technician can test the internal keyboard and advise whether replacement is worth it.

Alt Codes Not Working (very common — and often NOT an Alt key problem)

Many people think “my Alt key is broken” when the real issue is Alt codes.

1) Alt codes require a numeric keypad

Classic Windows Alt codes need:

Hold Alt
Type the number code on a numeric keypad
Release Alt

Typing numbers on the top row (above letters) usually won’t work for Alt codes.

2) Num Lock must be ON

If Num Lock is off, the keypad may not type numbers correctly.

3) Laptop without a numpad? Use these options

If your laptop doesn’t have a dedicated keypad:

Check for an Fn keypad (some laptops have a hidden numpad on letters like JKLUIO; you hold Fn to use it)
Use the Windows symbol/emoji panel: press Win + . (or Win + ;) and insert symbols
Use Character Map (built-in Windows tool)
In apps like Word/Excel, you can also insert symbols from Insert → Symbol (often easier than Alt codes)

If Alt + Tab works but Alt codes don’t, it’s almost always the numpad/Num Lock issue — not a broken Alt key.

Mac: Option Key (Alt equivalent) Not Working

On Mac, the Option (⌥) key is the equivalent of Alt for shortcuts and special characters.

Quick tests

Try the other Option key (left vs right, if your keyboard has both)
Try a different app (Notes, Safari, Pages)
If you’re using a third-party keyboard, disconnect/reconnect it

Check keyboard/input settings (Mac)

Open System Settings → Keyboard
Check Input Sources (remove layouts you don’t use)
Restart and test again

Workaround: Character Viewer (great for symbols)

Mac has a built-in Character Viewer:

Press Control + Command + Space to open it
Then search and insert symbols without needing Option shortcuts.

Common Scenarios (quick answers)

“Right Alt not working” (AltGr)

On many layouts, the right Alt is actually AltGr and behaves differently. Fix 5 (layout) is the key step.

“Alt opens the menu bar / underlines letters”

That can be normal: tapping Alt once often activates menus in Windows apps.
Try pressing Esc to exit menu focus, then use Alt + another key (hold Alt while pressing the second key).

If it happens constantly or breaks shortcuts, check:

Sticky/Filter Keys (Fix 4)
Keyboard remaps (Fix 6)

“Alt + Tab works but Alt codes don’t”

That usually means your Alt key is fine — but Alt codes need:

A numeric keypad
Num Lock on
See the Alt Codes Not Working section above.

“Alt key only fails in one program”

If Alt works everywhere else:

Reset that app’s shortcuts/settings (if it has them)
Check if that program has its own “hotkey” or “gaming mode” profile
Test the same shortcut in a different app

Troubleshooting / FAQs

Why is my Alt key not working?

Most common causes:

Sticky Keys / Filter Keys enabled
Wrong keyboard layout (AltGr issues)
A remapping tool or keyboard software profile
Hardware issues (dirt, wear, spills)

How do I fix Alt key not working on Windows 10/11?

Start with:

Restart
Try both Alt keys
Turn off Sticky/Filter Keys
Check keyboard layout
Test with On-Screen Keyboard
Then move to drivers, remaps, Safe Mode, and hardware checks.

What is AltGr and why does Right Alt behave differently?

AltGr is a special “alternate graphics” key used on many non-US layouts to type extra characters. It can replace Right Alt behavior depending on your keyboard layout.

Why don’t Alt codes work on my laptop?

Most laptops don’t have a full numeric keypad. Alt codes usually require a numpad + Num Lock. Use:

Fn keypad (if your laptop supports it)
Win + . symbol panel
Character Map
Insert Symbol in Word/Excel

Is there a way to remap Alt temporarily?

Yes — but keep it simple and safe:

First, check if you already have remapping software running (Fix 6).
If you truly need a remap, use only well-known official tools and undo it later.

Quick Recap

Restart and try both Alt keys
Turn off Sticky Keys / Filter Keys
Check keyboard layout (AltGr issues)
Test with On-Screen Keyboard
Alt codes failing usually means no numpad / Num Lock off
If nothing works, test with an external keyboard and consider repair