Troubleshooting Num Lock Not Working After Windows 10 Update

Troubleshooting Num Lock Issues on Windows 10

As we navigate the digital landscape, few tools prove more essential than the Windows operating system. Having powered over a billion devices for decades, Windows grants users the ability to work, connect, and be entertained. However, as with any complex technology, occasional issues can arise that impede performance. A common example many encounter after Windows updates is the Num Lock key ceasing to operate correctly. Thankfully, solutions exist to restore functionality quickly. In this guide, we’ll explore proven techniques gathered from tech experts across the web.

Pinpointing the Problem

Before attempting to fix the problem, we must first understand it. Num Lock difficulties typically manifest in two ways:

• Turning on Num Lock disables the number keys.
• The number pad keys trigger erratic behaviors like jumping the cursor around.

To identify the root cause, users have suggested trying the following diagnostic steps:

Why is my touchpad not working?

If your touchpad isn’t working, it may be a result of a missing or out-of-date driver. Updating or reinstalling your touchpad drivers in Device Manager may help solve the problem. To open Device Manager, enter device manager in Search on the taskbar, then select Device Manager. Open Device Manager.

How to use a number pad on Windows 11?

The on-screen keyboard in Windows 11/10 has a virtual Number Pad that you can use. It is not always as fast as a Number Pad-typing keyboard, but it offers customizable options that make it a worthy Number Pad emulator. Click on the Search box > Type On-Screen keyboard. Check the option Turn on the numeric keypad > Click OK.

• Check if the issue occurs on a secondary external keyboard.
• Examine whether standard number row keys are impacted.
• See if disabling and re-enabling Num Lock temporarily resolves it.
• Try rebooting the system and noting if Num Lock retains its state.

Thorough testing will reveal whether the problem lies with system settings, drivers, or hardware.

Software Solutions

If switching keyboards doesn’t alleviate the symptoms, software tweaks may hold the key. Here are some expert-approved approaches to attempt:

Clean Booting

Starting Windows in a clean boot state disables non-essential processes and services. Follow these steps to try it:

1. Open the Run dialog with Windows + R and enter “msconfig”.
2. Go to the Services tab, check “Hide Microsoft services” then click “Disable all”.
3. Switch to the Startup tab, open Task Manager, and disable startup programs.
4. Restart your PC and test Num Lock.

If functioning improves, systematically re-enable groups of services and apps until you isolate the conflict.

Updating Drivers

Outdated keyboard drivers frequently induce quirky behaviors. Updating them is straightforward:

How do I know if my keyboard has a NUM pad?

If you notice your keyboard does some weird things such as scrolling up and down instead of writing numbers, the num pad is disabled. The quickest way to enable it is to press the Num Lock key. Usually, keyboards come with a small light for special keys such as Num Lock or Caps Lock. If the light is on, your number pad is enabled.

How do I enable NumLock?

Check the box of [Turn on numeric key pad]⑥, then click [OK]⑦ . Click [NumLock] in the on-screen keyboard ⑧, highlight this key to enable the NumLock function. If you experience that when pressing a key but the wrong character displays on the screen, please make sure whether the preferred language is correct.

How do you lock a number on a computer?

1 Numeric Lock ON. Key ‘5’ and ‘Dot’ jump down and right with a small faint table listing, 2. Numeric Lock OFF: All none numeric keys function correctly. None of the digit keys respond. /, *, Home, Up arrow, PgUp, Left arrow, Right arrow, End, Down arrow, Pg Dn, Ins, Del. 3. Standard number keys over QWERTY work correctly. 4.

1. Access Device Manager through Windows + X.
2. Under Keyboards, right-click your device and select Update.
3. Follow the on-screen prompts and reboot.

Installing the latest drivers directly from your manufacturer is ideal. Windows Update works too.

Disabling Mouse Keys

A common culprit in Num Lock oddities is Mouse Keys, which lets you control the mouse with the number pad. Disabling it may resolve the problem:

1. Open the old Control Panel via Windows + R and enter “control”.
2. Navigate to Ease of Access then keyboard settings.
3. Uncheck “Turn on Mouse Keys” and test your number pad.

Remember to toggle this setting, not just turn off Num Lock, for best results.

Startup Workarounds

If your number keys misbehave only on startup, a couple settings tweaks can help:

• Disable Fast Startup– Fast Startup preserves your uptime between reboots, but can scramble settings. Turn this off in Power Options.
• Enable it in Registry Editor– The complex Registry stores many system settings. The path `HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Keyboard` contains a Num Lock toggle to force enable.

Be cautious modifying the Registry; always back it up first.

Why is my keyboard not working on Windows 10?

If you are experiencing this problem because Windows 10 is forcefully disabling the dedicated numeric keypad on your keyboard, enabling it should fix the problem. In order to do so, you need to: If the Num Lock is turned on, press the Num Lock key to turn it off.

What happens if you disable the NUM LOCK key?

Most keyboards come with a dedicated Num Lock key. When you disable it, the number pad stops working. Most prefer to disable it when not working with numbers to avoid accidental presses. So check whether you need to re-enable the Num Lock key and start typing numbers. Some keyboard does come with an LED light to indicate the active mode. 2.

Why is my number pad not working Windows 10?

When the number pad is not working in Windows 10, the problem might be with the Num Lock key, so check it. Specific settings can cause this and many other keyboard-related issues on your PC. A quick workaround for this problem is to use an on-screen keyboard if you’re in a hurry.

Why is my Num Lock key not working?

Since the causes of the Num Lock key not working are well-known, the fixes are not far off too. One sure solution is to disable the mouse key from the ease of access settings. Also, you can boycott the error by using an on-screen keyboard instead. Lastly, you should update your keyboard driver if the issue persists.

When All Else Fails

Despite best troubleshooting efforts, some Num Lock quirks require professional support. If you’ve exhausted the above fixes, try contacting:

• Your PC or keyboard manufacturer
• Your IT department for business devices
• Computer repair shops

Technicians can assess for faulty hardware and perform low-level software repairs unavailable to the average user. Stay patient, remain calm, and your numbers will num again.

Preventing Future Num Lock Nuisances

While the methods above resolve most occurrences, prevention is ideal. Consider these tips to avoid Num Lock acting up repeatedly:

• Avoid skipping Windows updates to prevent compatibly issues.
• Only install trusted apps to limit conflicts.
• Use a surge protector to protect your machine from power fluctuations.
• Keep backups to easily revert your system if problems emerge.

A little proactive care goes a long way towards Num Lock normality. Reach out in the comments if our advice helps conquer your number pad woes!

How to turn on Num Lock Windows 10?

Launch PowerShell by going to the search menu and typing Windows PowerShell. Then click on Run as Administrator. 3. Type the following command into your PowerShell window: 4. Hit the Enter key and Windows 10 will ask you to enter a value. Set the value to “2” to turn on the Num Lock on the laptop.

How do I fix Num lock on Windows 10?

Try going to the “Settings” menu by clicking on the start menu or Windows key. Once there navigate to the Keyboard and Mouse settings then turn off “Use mouse keys when Num lock is on”. The problem should be gone after doing that.

References

1. https://www.thewindowsclub.com/num-lock-is-not-working-on-windows-10
2. https://www.drivereasy.com/knowledge/fix-keyboard-numbers-not-working/