Windows 11 Num Lock Not Working: Troubleshooting Guide

Is your Num Lock key not working correctly in Windows 11? This can be frustrating, especially when you need to enter numerical data. This guide provides several solutions to resolve the issue and get your Num Lock working as expected.

Understanding the Num Lock Issue in Windows 11

The Num Lock key toggles the numeric keypad on and off. When enabled, you can use the keypad to enter numbers. When disabled, the keys function as arrow keys, Home, End, PgUp, and PgDn. Sometimes, Windows 11 fails to enable Num Lock at startup or during use, causing inconvenience.

Common Causes of Num Lock Problems

  • Fast Startup: This feature can sometimes interfere with Num Lock functionality.
  • Registry Settings: Incorrect registry settings can prevent Num Lock from enabling automatically.
  • Keyboard Issues: Hardware problems with the keyboard itself.
  • Outdated Drivers: Outdated or corrupt keyboard drivers.
  • Third-party Software: Conflicting software can sometimes interfere.

Solutions to Fix Windows 11 Num Lock Issues

Here are several methods to try, starting with the simplest:

1. Check Your Keyboard

  • Ensure the Num Lock key isn’t physically damaged. Try pressing it firmly and see if the light (if your keyboard has one) turns on and off.
  • Try a different keyboard. If possible, connect a different keyboard to your computer to rule out a hardware problem with the original keyboard. If the new keyboard works, the problem is likely with your old keyboard.

2. Disable Fast Startup

Fast Startup can sometimes cause issues with hardware initialization. Disabling it might resolve the Num Lock problem.

  1. Open the Control Panel. (Search for “Control Panel” in the Windows search bar.)
  2. Click on Power Options.
  3. Click on “Choose what the power buttons do” on the left side.
  4. Click on “Change settings that are currently unavailable.”
  5. Uncheck the box next to “Turn on fast startup (recommended)”.
  6. Click Save changes.
  7. Restart your computer.

3. Modify the Registry Editor

Warning: Incorrectly modifying the registry can cause serious problems. Back up the registry before making any changes.

  1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type regedit and press Enter.
  3. Navigate to the following key: HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Keyboard
  4. In the right pane, double-click on InitialKeyboardIndicators.
  5. Change the Value data to 2147483648 (for Num Lock off at startup) or 2147483650 (for Num Lock on at startup).
  6. Click OK.
  7. Close the Registry Editor.
  8. Restart your computer.

Alternatively, you can set the value in HKEY_CURRENT_USER:

  1. Open Registry Editor (regedit).
  2. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Keyboard
  3. Modify or create the InitialKeyboardIndicators value as described above.
  4. Restart your computer.

4. Use a Startup Script

You can use a VBScript to enable Num Lock at startup.

  1. Open Notepad.
  2. Paste the following code:
    Set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")

WshShell.SendKeys “{NUMLOCK}” ``` 3. Save the file as numlock.vbs (make sure to select “All Files” in the “Save as type” dropdown). 4. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. 5. Type shell:startup and press Enter. This opens the Startup folder. 6. Copy the numlock.vbs file into the Startup folder. 7. Restart your computer.

5. Update Keyboard Drivers

Outdated drivers can cause keyboard malfunctions.

  1. Press Windows key + X and select Device Manager.
  2. Expand Keyboards.
  3. Right-click on your keyboard and select Update driver.
  4. Choose “Search automatically for drivers”.
  5. If Windows doesn’t find an update, try searching for the latest driver on the keyboard manufacturer’s website.

6. Check for Conflicting Software

Sometimes, other software can interfere with keyboard functions. Try booting into Safe Mode to see if the problem persists.

  1. Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
  2. Click on System.
  3. Click on Recovery.
  4. Under “Advanced startup”, click Restart now.
  5. After your computer restarts to the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
  6. Press 4 or F4 to start your computer in Safe Mode.

If the Num Lock works correctly in Safe Mode, a third-party application is likely the cause. Try uninstalling recently installed programs to identify the culprit.

Conclusion

The “Windows 11 Num Lock not working” issue can be addressed through several troubleshooting steps. By systematically working through these solutions, from checking basic hardware to modifying registry settings, you can likely restore the functionality of your Num Lock key. Remember to back up your registry before making any changes to avoid potential system instability.