Likely fix
Fix: Keyboard typing wrong characters
A keyboard usually types the wrong characters when the keyboard layout, language, Num Lock, Fn Lock, or input method has changed.
Quick answer
Check keyboard language and layout first. Then check Num Lock, Fn Lock, and whether a different input method was accidentally selected.
Important warning
Keyboard layout changes can make passwords look wrong even when the keys are working normally.
Try this
- 1 Open keyboard language or input settings.
- 2 Make sure the selected keyboard layout matches your physical keyboard.
- 3 Switch back to your usual language if it changed.
- 4 Press Num Lock if numbers or symbols are behaving strangely.
- 5 Check Fn Lock if laptop function keys are acting differently.
- 6 Try typing in a plain text app.
- 7 Restart the computer if the layout keeps switching.
Common causes
Wrong keyboard layout selected.
Input language changed accidentally.
Num Lock is on or off unexpectedly.
Fn Lock changed laptop key behavior.
Keyboard shortcut changed input method.
What to check next
- Check the language indicator in the taskbar or menu bar.
- Check whether @, #, quotes, or slash keys are swapped.
- Check Num Lock.
- Check Fn Lock.
- Check whether the problem happens in every app.