How do you feel when a platform rejects your provided password several times while you are sure there is nothing wrong? You must be annoyed and frustrated at the same time. There is nothing to panic about, as it can happen when the number keys on the right side of the keyboard not working and you are unaware of it.
Many reasons are responsible, like disabling the Num lock, turning on the mouse key, activating the mouse key, etc. Solving this issue is super easy following multiple fixations.
I have listed the solutions below you can try.
Why are My Number Keys on Right Side of Keyboard Not Working?
Your keyboard not specifically typing numbers when everything else works is not an impersonation of the keyboard itself.
There may be complications with the keyboard’s physical condition, settings, or drivers, causing the problem. The issues are
- Stuck Alt and Shift keys or Sticky keys
- Turned on mouse key
- Turned off Num lock
- Enable Filter keys
- An issue with the keyboard Driver
- Defective keyboard
How to Solve Number Keys on Right Side of Keyboard Not Working?
Generally, a full-sized keyboard is designed with a dedicated Numpad having a Num Lock button. If you need to type numbers, this button must be turned on. Most keyboards feature a LED indicator that lets you know the number keys are working.
This is a general solution; I believe you have already tried it. That is why I am not sharing this solution in this section. Here I shared other reasons and fixations for this specific number of keyboard keys errors.
Solution #01: Turned off Mouse Keys
Mouse keys are one of the excellent features of Windows, letting you control the Numpad keys. You can also navigate the cursor when this feature is turned on, and more importantly, using a mouse is unnecessary.
Moreover, you will not be typing numbers from the Numpad with turned-on Mouse keys.
In order to know whether the Numpad is activated:
- TAP any number of buttons on the Numpad.
- Carefully look at the cursor to know what it does.
- In case you see the cursor move, be sure the Mouse keys are activated.
Here are the steps to follow.
Step 01: Type Control Panel on the search box and click it.
Step 02: Select the Ease of Access option. Then click Change How Your Keyboard Works.
Step 03: Uncheck the box next to the Turn on Mouse Box.
However, do you need to type the numbers while the Mouse Keys are activated? Thankfully, you can do it easily by following the below steps.
Step 01: Go to Control Panel > Ease of Access > Change how your keyboard works.
Step 02: Select Set Up Mouse Keys.
Step 03: Find out the Set Up Mouse Keys option.
Step 04: At the bottom of this section is titled Other Settings. Turn it off by clicking the radio button.
Thus, you can use the numbers when Num Lock is activated while using Mouse Keys with it off.
Solution #02: Check whether the Shift and Alt Keys are Stuck
When combined with the keypad number keys, the keyboard Shift and Alt keys are modifiers.
For example, when you hit the Shift key and numbers together, the number gets replaced with symbols. Likewise, the Alt keys replace the Unicode characters that appear instead of numbers.
Is your keyboard typing symbols or Unicode instead of numbers? Your keyboard Shift and Alt keys might be stuck. Check both the left and right Shift and Alt keys.
Solution #03: Disable Sticky Keys
Sticky keys are an important Windows feature that simulates holding down Alt, Shift, and Ctrl keys.
For instance, if the Shift and Alt keys are stuck, unintentionally turned-on Sticky keys can also make symbols and Unicode appear rather than numbers.
Did you already check the Shift and Alt Key? If yes, then consider checking if the Sticky Keys are activated. The below steps describe how to check sticky keys and turn it off.
Step 01: Type Control Panel on the search box and launch it by clicking.
Step 02: Select the Ease of Access option. Then click Change How Your Keyboard Works.
Step 03: Uncheck the Sticky Keys box next to it. This will turn off the Sticky keys.
Solution #04: Run the Keyboard Troubleshooter
Diagnosing the problem is damn simple with the Windows Troubleshooter. However, the process varies in Windows 10 and Windows 11. I shared the method for both OS.
For Windows 10,
Step 01: Launch Settings by pressing Win + I
Step 02: Go to Update and Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters.
Step 03: Locate the Keyboard Troubleshooter. Select it and click on the Run the Troubleshooter button.
Step 04: Continue following the on-screen instructions.
For Windows 11,
Step 01: Launch Settings by pressing Win + I
Step 02: Go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
Step 03: You will see a button named Run next to the Keyboard. Click it.
Step 04: The troubleshooter will suggest a few solutions. Choose any to see which one solves the problem. Go through one-by-one solutions if multiple fixations are suggested.
Solution #05: Update/Reinstall Drivers
The contributors to the right side of the keyboard not responding include incompatible, corrupted, or damaged keyboards. You will have to check whether this is the case. Then reinstalling the drivers. If it doesn’t work, update it.
Step 01: Launch the Device Manager by hitting Win + R or typing devmgmt.msc
Step 02: Now, expand the keyboard. Right-click on the Keyboard device. Now click Uninstall Device.
Step 03: Look at the Device Manager’s top to find the Scan for Hardware Changes. The Windows you uninstalled a few minutes back will detect your keyboard automatically. Moreover, the automatic installation will also start.
Step 04: Right-click on the Keyboard device. Now click Uninstall Device.
Step 05: Choose between automatically letting Windows install the best available drivers or selecting manual updates if the latest drivers are downloaded.
Solution #06: Clean Number Keys
If you didn’t clean your number pad keys for years, the chance is that the keys are filled with dust particles.
You can use a dedicated key puller to remove the keys. Remember, this is only possible if you have a mechanical keyboard. Once the keys are removed, clean the keyboard.
Using an air blower will also be beneficial. However, keep the settings as low as possible while cleaning laptops or normal keyboards. Also, tilt the keyboard to a specific degree when removing dust and dirt from the number keys.
FAQs
Most commonly, it happens when the Num Lock button is activated. Turn off the Num Lock by pressing the key to sort out the error. Want to disable the Num Lock? Hit FN + F11.
Focus on the keys if one side of your keyboard stops responding. Remove the keycap and clean dirt or debris. Some other solutions are turning off the Mouse Keys, reinstalling or updating the Keyboard Driver, etc.
Let’s Close It
You must have gone through several unproductive hours when the number keys on the right side of the keyboard not working. This guide will be helpful enough to sort out the problem. Before ordering a new keyboard, I recommend trying the hacks mentioned above to solve the complication in no time.
Ultimately, the most effective solution will depend on the reasons, and it may need some trial and error to find the correct fixation. With the right approach, the number keys will work again and help you use your computer as usual.
I am a regular user of computer keyboards. For using keyboard face different kinds of problems and also solve it very easily. I love sharing knowledge about keyboards.
