Keyboard wont type numbers OR will only type numbers

Usually, numbers keys are present on two spots on a keyboard. One is at the number pad and the other above the letters. You might face an issue where your laptop keyboard won’t type numbers. This could be with both sets of number keys or the one at the number pad. At other times – it could just type numbers only! Now, this is a strange situation ad today we will take a look at what you can do about it.

The most probable causes behind this issue could be a switched OFF number pad, outdated or corrupt drivers, problems with the user profile, or turned ON mouse keys. We strongly advise you to update Windows regularly to avoid issues with the drivers.

Keyboard won’t type numbers

The basic problem could be either with the hardware of the system or the software. If the keyboard is integrated into a laptop, it will be difficult to isolate the problem. Anyway, proceed with the troubleshooting suggested sequentially as follows:

1. Enable the Numlock
2. Turn OFF mouse keys
3. Update your keyboard driver
4. Run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter
5. Try signing in to the system as a different user.

1] Enable the Numlock

One of the most common reasons for the issue where laptop keyboard won’t type numbers is that the Num Lock key is disabled. In most keyboards, it is represented by a small LED at the top-right corner. Rather, personally, whenever I faced this issue, it turned out that the Numlock was disabled.

Press the Num Lock key once to enable the number pad. Either the LED would glow, or you would get a message of the computer screen confirming the number pad has been activated.

2] Turn OFF mouse keys

In case the mouse keys are ON, you might not be able to access the number keys. The procedure to turn OFF mouse keys is as follows:

Press Win+R to open the Run window and type the command control panel. Hit Enter to open the Control Panel.

Go to Ease of Access Center > Change how your keyboard works.

Uncheck Turn ON Mouse Keys (ignore if already unchecked).

Verify if this resolves the issue or move to the next solution.

3] Update your keyboard driver

Hardware drivers are responsible for managing the communication between the hardware and software of a device. If they are corrupt or outdated, the hardware devices might not work properly. This could also be the reason why your laptop keyboard won’t type numbers. You could update the drivers as follows:

Press Win+R to open the Run window and type the command devmgmt.msc. Hit Enter to open the Device Manager.

Expand the section for Keyboard and right-click on the driver for the problematic keyboard.

Select Update driver and update the driver.

Restart your system and check if it resolves the issue.

Alternatively, you could also download the drivers from the manufacturer’s website and install them.

4] Run the Keyboard troubleshooter

The Keyboard troubleshooter is an excellent tool in Windows 11/10, which helps recognize issues with connected hardware devices. It checks if the problems with them and tries troubleshooting them.

• Windows 10: The procedure to run the Keyboard troubleshooter is as follows. Click on the Start button and select Settings > Updates and Security > Troubleshoot.
• Windows 11: Open Settings > System > Troubleshoot.

Select the Keyboard troubleshooter from the list of troubleshooters and run it.

Restart the system.

5] Try signing in to the system as a different user

If everything else fails, the problem could be with the user profile. Try signing in to the system with another account.

If case your system has only one account, you could create another User account.

To create a new Local Account in Windows 11 using Windows Settings, follow these steps:

1. Press Win+I to open Windows Settings.
2. Switch to the Accounts  tab.
3. Click on the Family & other users.
4. Click the Add account button under Other users.
5. Click the I don’t have this person’s sign-in information option.
6. Select the Add a user without a Microsoft account.
7. Enter username, password and click the Next  button.

To do it in Windows 10, click on Start and go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other people> Add someone else to this PC. Then follow the instructions to create a new account.

Restart the system and sign in as a new user and verify if this resolves your problem.

Keyboard will only type numbers

While the problem of keyboards being unable to type numbers is common, it is as common for keyboards being able to type numbers only. This happens with compact keyboards where the manufacturing companies omit the number side of the keyboard to make it smaller. In some cases, the number keys are made secondary functions to the letter keys on the keyboard. You would have to hit the number key while keeping the ALT button pressed to enter a number.

Alternatively, you could press the Num Lock key and keep typing numbers instead of letters. Thus, if your keyboard will only type numbers, the cause could either be an enabled Num Lock or faulty drivers.

Try solutions 3 and 4 mentioned earlier for issues related to the drivers associated with the keyboard. You would also need to press the Num Lock key once to enable the Num Lock.

If all of the above steps fail to resolve issues with your keyboard, you may consider using an external keyboard to isolate the issue. If the external keyboard works fine, the problem could be with the hardware of the laptop’s own keyboard.

Related read: Laptop keyboard not working.