The keyboard types the wrong characters

You type « a » and « q » appears; you look for the at symbol and can’t find it; numbers require an extra key; or strange characters appear instead of accents. A keyboard that types the wrong characters is confusing — but rest assured, it’s almost NEVER a failure: most of the time, it’s simply the wrong KEYBOARD LAYOUT that’s activated (the system thinks you have a different type of keyboard), or a special key is turned on. This can be fixed in a few clicks. Here’s how to get your keyboard typing the correct characters again.

Why the keyboard types the wrong characters

Understanding the cause is reassuring: in the vast majority of cases, it’s NOT the keyboard that’s broken, but a setting. The main cause: the wrong KEYBOARD LAYOUT. A « layout » (or « arrangement ») defines which letter corresponds to which key; there are several depending on countries and languages: in France, it’s the AZERTY (named after the first letters at the top left); in English-speaking countries, the QWERTY; there are also variants (QWERTZ, etc.). If the SYSTEM is set to a different layout than your physical keyboard, there’s a mismatch: you press a key, but the system thinks it’s another one; hence the wrong characters. Classic example: a system set to QWERTY while your keyboard is AZERTY (or vice versa): typing « a » gives « q », numbers and symbols are moved, etc. This is THE number one cause of « wrong characters. » Other causes: a special key turned on — the NUMERIC LOCK (Num Lock) that turns part of the keyboard into a numeric keypad; the CAPS LOCK that types everything in uppercase; an accidental switch between multiple installed languages; a shortcut that changed the input language. The problem with ACCENTS and special characters that display incorrectly can also come from the layout (a foreign layout doesn’t have French accents in the right place). More rarely: a physically defective key (but then it’s a specific key that’s problematic, not a general shift), or a driver issue. Useful DISTINCTIONS: are ALL keys shifted in a consistent way (→ layout), or is it a specific key/character (→ special or physical key)? Did the problem appear after a change (new keyboard, update, manipulation)? What to remember to start: a keyboard that types the wrong characters is almost always a problem of a wrong LAYOUT setting (or a special key turned on), not a failure; this is fixed by changing the layout in the settings, or by turning off a key; it’s quick and harmless. Let’s see how.

Fixing the layout and special keys

Here are the solutions, depending on the symptom. CHANGING the KEYBOARD LAYOUT (main cause): if all your keys are shifted in a consistent way (a↔q, etc.), the layout is wrong; go to your system’s LANGUAGE and KEYBOARD settings (section « Keyboard, » « Language, » or « Input » depending on the device); check the selected layout and choose the CORRECT one (for example « French AZERTY » if you have a French AZERTY keyboard); the keyboard will immediately start typing the correct characters. The QUICK-SWITCH shortcut: on many systems, a keyboard shortcut switches between installed layouts/languages (often a combination with the Windows key, Alt+Shift, or Cmd+Space); it’s often by accidentally triggering this that you end up in the wrong layout; the same shortcut allows you to switch back; if the problem occurs intermittently, it’s probably this shortcut; you can also remove unnecessary layouts to avoid accidental switches. TURNING OFF the NUMERIC LOCK: if part of your keyboard (often on the right, or certain letters on a laptop) types NUMBERS instead of letters, it’s the « Num Lock » that is activated; press the « Num Lock » key to turn it off (on some laptops, with the Fn key). TURNING OFF the CAPS LOCK: if everything is typed in UPPERCASE, it’s the « Caps Lock »; press this key (on the left of the keyboard, often with an indicator light) to turn it off. Check the INPUT LANGUAGE: if multiple languages are installed, make sure the correct one is active (a language indicator is often visible in the system bar); remove unnecessary languages to avoid confusion. For ACCENTS and special characters: if accents don’t work or give wrong characters, it’s often the wrong layout (a foreign layout doesn’t place French accents correctly); correct the layout. RESTART: in case of doubt, a restart can reset a strange state (our guides on why restarting solves most bugs). The case of a NEW keyboard: if you just connected a new keyboard and it types incorrectly, make sure the layout matches the model (a keyboard bought abroad may be QWERTY; set the system accordingly, or vice versa). In summary: if all keys are shifted → change the LAYOUT in the settings; if numbers appear → turn off Num Lock; if everything is in uppercase → turn off Caps Lock; if it switches by itself → it’s the language shortcut (switch back, and remove unnecessary layouts). These fixes resolve almost all cases in a few seconds.

The number one cause: a wrong keyboard layout (AZERTY / QWERTY). If your keyboard types the wrong characters in a COHERENT way — you press « a » and get « q », the at symbol and symbols are elsewhere, numbers require a strange manipulation —, the culprit is almost certainly the KEYBOARD LAYOUT. Explanation: the system must « know » what type of keyboard you’re using to associate each key with the correct character. In France, keyboards are AZERTY (the first letters at the top left are A-Z-E-R-T-Y); English keyboards are QWERTY (Q-W-E-R-T-Y). If the system is set to a layout that doesn’t match your physical keyboard (for example set to QWERTY while your keyboard is AZERTY), everything is shifted. The solution is simple: go to your system’s LANGUAGE/KEYBOARD settings (look for « Keyboard, » « Language, » or « Input Method »), find the active layout, and select the CORRECT one: « French (AZERTY) » if you have a French keyboard, for example; instantly, the keyboard types the correct characters again. A very common trap: the ACCIDENTAL SWITCH. Many systems have a SHORTCUT that changes the layout/language (often Alt+Shift, the Windows key + Space, or Cmd+Space on Mac); you sometimes activate it ACCIDENTALLY while typing, and suddenly you’re in QWERTY without understanding why; if your keyboard « changes by itself » sometimes, it’s almost surely this; the same shortcut allows you to switch back to the correct layout. To prevent this from happening again: in the settings, REMOVE the layouts/languages you don’t use; if there’s only one layout installed (the correct one), it becomes impossible to switch by mistake. This simple reflex — checking/correcting the layout, and removing unnecessary layouts — fixes the vast majority of keyboards that type incorrectly, and prevents the problem from recurring. Before believing your keyboard is broken, always check the layout: nine times out of ten, that’s where the solution lies.

Special cases and real failure

A few specific situations and the rare case of a real failure. ONLY one key is problematic: if the shift isn’t general but a SPECIFIC key doesn’t work or types the wrong character (while the rest is normal), it’s NOT the layout: either it’s a special key misunderstood, or the key is physically defective (stuck, dirty, worn). For a stuck or dirty key: clean it gently around (dust, crumbs); on a physical keyboard, dirt under a key can block it. If a key is really dead, on an external keyboard you replace it (inexpensive); on a laptop, a repairer can intervene. The keyboard NO LONGER RESPONDS AT ALL: different from « wrong characters »; check that it’s properly connected (wired external keyboard), charged/with batteries and connected (wireless keyboard — our guides on Bluetooth won’t connect), and restart; test on another port or another computer. The VIRTUAL / on-screen keyboard: on phones and tablets, the « layout » of the on-screen keyboard is also set in the settings; you can choose AZERTY or QWERTY, add languages, enable/disable auto-correction (which can, itself, « correct » your words undesirably — another type of « wrong characters »). The AUTO-CORRECTION: if it’s not the characters but WHOLE WORDS that change without your knowledge, it’s the auto-correction/input; adjust it or disable it in the keyboard settings. The keyboard of ANOTHER country: if you’re using a keyboard bought abroad, its physical keys may differ; set the system layout accordingly (or learn the correspondence). Test to DIAGNOSE: connect the keyboard to another computer, or test another keyboard on yours; this allows you to know if the problem comes from the keyboard or the computer’s settings (if the shift follows the computer’s settings, it’s the layout; if a key is dead everywhere, it’s the keyboard). WHEN it’s really hardware: rare for a GENERAL « wrong characters » (which is almost always a setting), more possible for a specific defective key; a defective external keyboard is easily replaced at low cost; for a laptop, a repairer can change the keyboard. In summary: a GENERAL shift = layout (setting); ONE key = special or physical defect; WHOLE WORDS that change = auto-correction; silent keyboard = connection/power. The test on another device confirms the origin. Real hardware failure is rare and, for an external keyboard, easily resolved by a low-cost replacement.

Warning: don’t believe your keyboard is broken — first check the layout and lock keys. The classic mistake when a keyboard types incorrectly is to conclude « my keyboard is broken » and want to replace it; yet in the vast majority of cases, the keyboard is perfectly fine: it’s a SETTING (wrong layout) or a lock key turned on; ALWAYS check these causes before concluding a failure. The general shift (a↔q, symbols moved) = layout to correct in the settings; numbers instead of letters = Num Lock to turn off; everything in uppercase = Caps Lock to turn off; it would be absurd to buy a new keyboard for a problem that’s fixed in one click in the settings. The trap of the ACCIDENTAL SWITCH: if your keyboard « changes by itself » sometimes, it’s not that it’s malfunctioning: it’s the layout/language change shortcut (often Alt+Shift or Windows/Cmd + Space) accidentally activated; switch back with the same shortcut, and especially REMOVE unnecessary layouts in the settings so it doesn’t happen again. Clearly distinguish a GENERAL shift (→ layout, setting) from a SPECIFIC defective key (→ possibly physical); don’t treat one as the other. For a stuck key: be careful when cleaning a keyboard — unplug it first, don’t pour liquid, use dry air or a soft brush; don’t force a key to « disconnect » at the risk of breaking it. For a wireless keyboard that types incorrectly or intermittently: think of WEAK BATTERIES (like for a mouse, they make the keyboard capricious) and the Bluetooth connection before blaming a failure. Beware of « keyboard drivers » or miracle software to download from dubious sites: it’s unnecessary (official updates are enough) and risky. Do the test on ANOTHER device to avoid misdiagnosis: if the keyboard types correctly on another computer, it was indeed your settings (layout) that were at fault, not the keyboard. Finally, on phones/tablets, if it’s WHOLE WORDS that change, don’t blame the keyboard: it’s the auto-correction; adjust it in the settings. By first checking the layout and lock keys, and diagnosing correctly (general shift vs specific key, test on another device), you’ll resolve almost all cases without spending — your keyboard was almost never the real problem.

Frequent questions

My keyboard types « q » instead of « a »: how to fix it?

This is the typical symptom of a wrong KEYBOARD LAYOUT: your system is set to QWERTY while your physical keyboard is AZERTY (or a similar confusion). Rest assured, your keyboard isn’t broken: you just need to correct the layout. Go to your system’s LANGUAGE/KEYBOARD settings (look for « Keyboard, » « Language, » or « Input » in the settings), find the currently active layout, and select the CORRECT one: « French (AZERTY) » if you have a French keyboard. The keyboard will immediately type the correct characters again (a becomes a, symbols and numbers return to their place). Quick alternative solution: there’s often a SHORTCUT that switches between installed layouts (frequently Alt+Shift, or the Windows key + Space on Windows, Cmd+Space on Mac); it’s actually often by accidentally triggering this that you end up in QWERTY; try this shortcut to switch back to AZERTY. To prevent the problem from HAPPENING AGAIN: in the settings, REMOVE the layouts you don’t use (keep only French AZERTY); thus, no more accidental switches possible. If you’re stuck typing (for example to enter a password in QWERTY without wanting to): remember the main shift (a↔q, m is elsewhere, etc.) or use the on-screen virtual keyboard while waiting to correct the layout. In summary: « q » instead of « a » = QWERTY layout activated by mistake; correct it in the settings (or with the switch shortcut), and remove unnecessary layouts to prevent recurrence. It’s fixed in a few seconds.

Why does my keyboard type numbers instead of letters?

It’s the NUMERIC LOCK (Num Lock) that is turned on. Many keyboards (especially compact laptops without a separate numeric keypad) integrate a « hidden » numeric keypad on certain letter keys; when « Num Lock » is turned on, pressing these letters types NUMBERS instead of letters. The solution: press the « Num Lock » key to turn off this mode; the letters will return to normal. On some laptops, this key needs to be combined with the « Fn » key (for example Fn + Num Lock, or Fn + a marked key); look for a key with the mention « Num Lock, » « Num Lock, » or a padlock symbol with a number. A small light (often on the keyboard) sometimes indicates if Num Lock is active. On a classic desktop keyboard with a separate numeric keypad on the right: it’s the opposite; Num Lock must usually be ACTIVATED for the numeric keypad to type numbers; if it’s turned off, the keypad acts as directional keys. Therefore: on a laptop that types numbers instead of letters → turn off Num Lock; on a separate numeric keypad that doesn’t type numbers → turn on Num Lock. It’s an instant setting, harmless; your keyboard has no problem, it was just in « numeric keypad » mode. Once Num Lock is correctly set, everything returns to normal.

Does the problem come from the keyboard or the computer?

A simple test can decide: test on another device (or with another keyboard). First, a clue: is the shift GENERAL and consistent (all keys are shifted in the same way: a↔q, symbols moved) or does it concern a SPECIFIC key? A general shift is almost always a COMPUTER SETTING (layout) issue, not the keyboard; a single key that malfunctions is more likely a problem with that key (special key misunderstood, or physically defective). To confirm: if you have an EXTERNAL keyboard, connect it to ANOTHER computer; if it types correctly elsewhere, the keyboard is fine and it was the COMPUTER SETTING (layout) that was at fault; if it types incorrectly everywhere (a dead key on all computers), it’s the keyboard. Conversely, connect ANOTHER keyboard to your computer: if it also types incorrectly (same shift), the problem is the computer’s setting (layout); if it types correctly, it was your first keyboard. This test clearly separates the hardware (the keyboard) from the software (the layout setting). In practice, for a « wrong characters » issue, it’s almost always the COMPUTER SETTING (the wrong layout chosen) — the keyboard is fine; check and correct the layout in the settings before anything else. It’s only for a specific key that’s consistently defective (on all devices) that it’s really the keyboard, in which case an external keyboard can be replaced at low cost. Do this test before concluding: it will save you from buying a keyboard that had nothing wrong, when it was enough to correct a setting.

What to remember

A keyboard that types the wrong characters is almost NEVER a failure: it’s a SETTING issue, fixable in a few seconds. The number one cause: the wrong KEYBOARD LAYOUT; if all keys are shifted in a consistent way (you type « a » and get « q », symbols and numbers are moved), the system is set to the wrong layout (for example QWERTY instead of AZERTY); correct it in the LANGUAGE/KEYBOARD settings by selecting the correct one (ex: « French AZERTY »). Beware of the ACCIDENTAL SWITCH: a shortcut (often Alt+Shift, or Windows/Cmd + Space) changes the layout; you sometimes activate it by accident; switch back with it, and REMOVE unnecessary layouts to prevent recurrence. Other symptoms: NUMBERS instead of letters = Num Lock turned on → turn it off (sometimes with the Fn key); everything in UPPERCASE = Caps Lock turned on → turn it off; ACCENTS displayed incorrectly = often the layout to correct; WHOLE WORDS that change (on phone/tablet) = auto-correction to adjust. Distinguish a GENERAL shift (→ layout, computer setting) from a SPECIFIC defective key (→ possibly physical defect). To DIAGNOSE the origin: test the keyboard on another computer, or another keyboard on yours; a general shift that follows the computer = layout; a dead key everywhere = keyboard. DON’T conclude too quickly that the keyboard is broken: always check the layout and lock keys first; it would be absurd to buy a new keyboard for a setting to correct in one click. For a capricious wireless keyboard, think of the batteries and the connection. Real hardware failure (a dead key) is rare and, for an external keyboard, resolved by a low-cost replacement. By checking the layout and locks first, you’ll resolve almost all « wrong characters » issues in a few seconds — your keyboard was almost always perfectly fine.