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Keyboard Typing Symbols Instead of Letters (Fixes for Windows & Mac)

If your keyboard is typing symbols, numbers, or “weird characters” when you press letter keys, you’re not alone.

In most cases, it’s caused by a setting (not a broken keyboard) — and you can fix it quickly.

Table of Contents

Fix it in 60 seconds (try these first)

Try this first (most common fixes):

A) Turn off Sticky Keys / Filter Keys (Windows)

  1. Go to Settings → Accessibility → Keyboard.
  2. Turn Sticky Keys Off.
  3. Turn Filter Keys Off.
  4. Also check Toggle Keys and turn it Off if it’s on.

Quick toggles that often cause “weird typing”:

  • Press Shift 5 times to toggle Sticky Keys.
  • Hold Right Shift for 8 seconds to toggle Filter Keys.

B) Check Num Lock / laptop “Fn NumLock” mode (common laptop issue)

  1. Press Num Lock once.
  2. If you’re on a laptop, also try Fn + Num Lock.
  3. Look for a small NumLock light on the keyboard (some laptops show it on-screen instead).

(This is the #1 reason letters like U I O J K L suddenly type numbers.)

C) Check keyboard layout/language (Windows + Mac)

Windows (fast): Press Win + Space and switch back to your normal layout.
Mac: Go to System Settings → Keyboard → Text Input → Edit and select the correct input source/layout.

D) Restart the computer

Yes — it’s simple, but it often fixes stuck keyboard modes and background glitches.

E) Try an on-screen keyboard test (software vs hardware)

This helps confirm if the problem is a setting/software issue or a physical keyboard issue.

  • Windows: Settings → Accessibility → Keyboard → On-Screen Keyboard (turn it on).
  • Mac: Use Keyboard Viewer (Input menu → Show Keyboard Viewer).
  • Chromebook: Settings → Accessibility → Keyboard and text input → On-screen keyboard.

If the on-screen keyboard types normally while your physical keyboard types symbols, it often points to a hardware or key/firmware issue (or a laptop “Fn/NumLock layer”).

close up shot of hands on a laptop
Photo by VAZHNIK on Pexels.com

Quick diagnosis (what’s happening on your keyboard?)

Use this checklist to find the right fix faster:

  • Only some keys are affected (like U I O J K L)?
    → Likely Num Lock / embedded keypad / Fn mode (jump to the laptop section below).
  • All typing is weird everywhere (even in passwords/search)?
    → Likely keyboard layout/language or accessibility keys.
  • It only happens in one app (only Word, only Chrome, only Excel)?
    → Likely app-specific settings (AutoCorrect, shortcuts, extensions, or language settings).
  • An external keyboard works fine but the laptop keyboard is wrong?
    → Likely laptop keyboard mode or hardware.

Windows fixes (step-by-step)

Fix 1: Turn off Sticky Keys / Filter Keys / Toggle Keys

Most common fix on Windows.

Option 1 (Settings)

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Go to Accessibility → Keyboard.
  3. Turn Sticky Keys Off.
  4. Turn Filter Keys Off.
  5. Turn Toggle Keys Off if it’s on.

Option 2 (keyboard shortcuts that may have turned them on)

  • Sticky Keys: Press Shift 5 times (turn it off if it pops up).
  • Filter Keys: Hold Right Shift for 8 seconds.
  • Toggle Keys: Hold Num Lock for 5 seconds.

If your keyboard started acting strange “suddenly,” it’s often because one of these got enabled by accident.

Fix 2: Switch the keyboard layout/language back to normal

This is the most common reason keys produce the “wrong characters” (like @, #, /, ).

Fast method

  1. Press Win + Space.
  2. Choose your normal keyboard (example: English (US) or English (UK)).

Full method (remove unwanted layouts)

  1. Go to Settings → Time & language → Language & region.
  2. Under your language, open Language options.
  3. Under Keyboards, remove any layouts you don’t use.
  4. Keep only the one you want (US, UK, etc.).

Fix 3: Turn off Num Lock / embedded numeric keypad (laptops)

On many laptops, a hidden number pad is built into letter keys.

What it looks like:

  • U I O might type 4 5 6
  • J K L might type 1 2 3
  • M might type 0
  • You may see tiny numbers printed on those keys.

Fix:

  1. Press Num Lock once (if your laptop has it).
  2. If not, try Fn + Num Lock.
  3. Also try common variations like Fn + F11 or Fn + Shift + NumLock (it depends on the laptop brand).

Tip: If you see a small “NumLk” label on a key, that’s usually the one.

Fix 4: Check other Accessibility settings that change typing

If letters trigger actions instead of typing, these can be involved:

  • Mouse Keys (moves the mouse pointer with the keyboard)
  • Text cursor / ease-of-access typing options

Where to check:

  • Settings → Accessibility → Keyboard
    Turn off anything you don’t recognize or don’t need.

Fix 5: Update/reinstall the keyboard driver (simple method)

If nothing above works, do this (it’s easier than it sounds):

  1. Right-click the Start button.
  2. Click Device Manager.
  3. Expand Keyboards.
  4. Right-click your keyboard device → choose Uninstall device.
  5. Restart your computer.

Windows will reinstall the driver automatically after the restart.

Fix 6 (optional): Test in Safe Mode (quick check)

Safe Mode loads Windows with minimal drivers and startup apps. If the problem disappears there, a background app or driver may be the cause.

  • If you’re comfortable: search “Safe Mode Windows” in Start and follow Microsoft’s steps for your version.
  • If not: skip this and move to the “Deeper checks” section below.

Mac fixes (short but clear)

Fix 1: Check Input Sources / keyboard layout (Mac)

  1. Go to System Settings → Keyboard → Text Input → Edit.
  2. Make sure the correct input source is selected (example: U.S., British, etc.).
  3. Remove any layouts you don’t use.

Fix 2: Turn off Sticky Keys (Mac)

  1. Go to System Settings → Accessibility → Keyboard.
  2. Turn Sticky Keys Off.

Shortcut: Press the Shift key 5 times to toggle Sticky Keys.

Fix 3: Check Modifier Keys mapping (Option/Command swapped)

If keys “act like shortcuts” or the wrong modifier key is being used:

  1. Go to System Settings → Keyboard.
  2. Click Keyboard Shortcuts → Modifier Keys.
  3. Click Restore Defaults (or set the correct mapping).

Fix 4: Reset Bluetooth keyboard / reconnect (if external keyboard)

  1. Turn the keyboard off and on.
  2. On Mac: System Settings → Bluetooth → remove the keyboard → pair again.
  3. Also replace batteries / charge it.

Fix 5: Restart + try a different user account

  • Restart your Mac first.
  • If the issue continues, try a different user account (or create a temporary one).
    If it works in the other account, the issue is likely a user-level setting.

Chromebook fixes (short section)

Fixes to try on Chromebook

  1. Check keyboard language/layout:
    Settings → Device → Keyboard → Input methods (switch back to the correct one).
  2. Restart the Chromebook.
  3. Check accessibility typing settings (Sticky keys can affect shortcuts):
    Settings → Accessibility → Keyboard and text input.
  4. Use the on-screen keyboard test:
    Settings → Accessibility → Keyboard and text input → On-screen keyboard.

If it’s only typing symbols on certain keys (important laptop fix)

This is very common on laptops: the embedded numeric keypad got turned on.

How to recognize it

  • Only a group of keys is affected.
  • Letters in the middle-right of the keyboard type numbers/symbols instead.
  • Examples (common pattern):
    • U I O → 4 5 6
    • J K L → 1 2 3
    • M → 0

How to turn it off

  1. Press Num Lock.
  2. If that doesn’t work, try Fn + Num Lock.
  3. Look for a key labeled NumLk, Num, or a small keypad icon.
  4. If unsure, search your laptop model + “turn off NumLock embedded keypad” (brands vary).

If your keyboard types the wrong symbol (layout confusion)

Sometimes the keyboard is fine — it’s just using the wrong layout.

Common examples

  • @ is “in the wrong place”
  • # and £ are swapped
  • / and \ feel swapped
  • Punctuation appears different than you expect

Why this happens

You may have switched between US and UK layouts (or another language layout). The keys are in slightly different positions.

How to fix it

  • Windows: Press Win + Space and choose the correct layout.
  • Mac: System Settings → Keyboard → Text Input → Edit and select the correct input source.
  • Chromebook: Settings → Device → Keyboard → Input methods.

Troubleshooting and deeper checks

1) Test in simple apps

This helps you confirm whether it’s a system-wide issue or an app issue.

  • Windows: Test in Notepad and in a browser search box.
  • Mac: Test in TextEdit and in a browser.
  • If it only happens in one app, check that app’s settings (language, shortcuts, extensions, AutoCorrect).

2) Try a different keyboard (or different USB port)

  • Plug in a USB keyboard (Windows/Mac/Chromebook).
  • If the external keyboard is fine, your laptop keyboard may be in a special mode or may be failing.

3) Check if it happens on the sign-in screen / BIOS (Windows)

  • If the keyboard types wrong before Windows fully loads, it’s more likely hardware (or firmware/keyboard mode), not a Windows setting.
  • If it only happens after logging into Windows, it’s more likely software/settings.

4) When to replace the keyboard

Consider replacement only if:

  • You’ve turned off Sticky/Filter/NumLock,
  • You’ve confirmed the correct layout,
  • The on-screen keyboard types normally,
  • And the physical keyboard still types random symbols or fails consistently.

FAQ (People Also Ask)

Why is my keyboard typing symbols instead of letters?

Usually because Sticky Keys / Filter Keys, Num Lock (embedded keypad), or the keyboard layout/language was changed by accident.

How do I fix this on a laptop?

Start with:

  1. Num Lock / Fn + NumLock,
  2. Windows accessibility keys,
  3. keyboard layout (Win + Space).
    Laptop keyboards commonly switch into an embedded keypad mode.

Why are my keys acting like shortcuts?

Sticky Keys can make it feel like modifiers are “stuck,” and wrong modifier mapping can cause shortcut-like behavior. Turn off Sticky Keys and check modifier key settings (Mac).

How do I change keyboard layout back to normal?

  • Windows: Win + Space or remove extra layouts in Settings → Time & language → Language & region.
  • Mac: System Settings → Keyboard → Text Input → Edit.
  • Chromebook: Settings → Device → Keyboard → Input methods.

What if it only happens in Word/Excel/Chrome?

Then it’s likely app settings (AutoCorrect, language, extensions, or shortcut settings). Test in Notepad/TextEdit to confirm it’s not system-wide.

Quick recap

  1. Turn off Sticky/Filter keys (Windows/Mac).
  2. Turn off Num Lock / Fn NumLock (especially laptops).
  3. Switch back to the correct keyboard layout.
  4. Restart and test with an on-screen keyboard.