If the keyboard (keyboard) cannot type characters correctly, it may be that the selected input language is not correct. Modern computer operating systems have the ability to type in many languages, and if you have multiple languages enabled, they may have been accidentally swapped for one another. If you have a laptop without using a number pad, the problem may stem from the NumLock key. This wikiHow teaches you how to change keyboard input and language on Mac computers and all recent versions of Windows.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Windows 10
Step 1. Check the NumLock button and Fn+NumLock.
Many laptops convert some of the keyboard keys into numbers when NumLock is activated. Be sure to disable this function by pressing the " NumLock " or " FN " + " NumLock " button. Now, try typing on the keyboard to see if the keys are back to normal. If these steps don't solve the problem, it may be that the language you selected is incorrect.
Step 2. Switch between active keyboard layouts
If your computer has several keyboard layouts installed, and this is absolutely necessary, you can quickly change them. This can be done in 2 ways:
- Click the Language button in the System Tray. Here are abbreviations for the current language and keyboard layout. Next, click the language you want to use. This only appears if you have multiple languages or keyboard layouts installed.
- Press and hold the Windows key, then press the Spacebar to switch between the installed language and keyboard.
- If you want to install another language, continue to follow this method.
Step 3. Open Settings
on Windows.
To do so, click Settings or the gear icon in the Start menu.
Step 4. Click Time & language
It's next to the clock character icon and an uppercase "A". The regional settings menu for the computer will open.
Step 5. Click Language
You can find it in the sidebar on the left side of the Time & Language menu. It's next to an uppercase "A" icon and a character. The Language menu will open. Through this menu, you can set the language installed on the computer.
Step 6. Click the + icon
The icon is under " Preferred Languages " in the Language menu. The Language installer will open.
Step 7. Type the desired language in the search field
The search field is at the top of the "Choose a language to install" window. All languages that match the search results will be displayed.
Some languages may provide several options for different regions
Step 8. Select the desired language, then click Next
Select the language you want to use by clicking on it. After that, click Next in the lower right corner.
Step 9. Click Install
It's in the lower right corner. Doing so will install the selected language pack.
Step 10. Click the default language you want
If there is more than one language, the computer may have selected the wrong language so that the keyboard cannot type correctly. Select the language you want to use as default, and click the "Set as default" button.
The display language will change to the new default language when you sign out and sign in
Step 11. Click the language of your choice
All installed languages will be displayed under " Preferred Languages " in the Language menu.
Step 12. Click the up arrow icon to move the languages to the top of the list
By doing so, the language you selected will be at the top of the list of languages. The language at the top of the list under " Language " is the computer's default language.
Alternatively, you can click on any language you don't use, then click Remove to remove it (uninstall).
Step 13. Click the Options button
Several other options for the installed language will load. You can adjust the keyboard settings here.
Step 14. Click + and select the desired keyboard layout
If the regular keyboard layout is not listed, click the plus (+) icon under " Keyboard " in the left sidebar. Next, click the keyboard layout that you want to use. This will add that keyboard layout to the list of available keyboard layouts. To change the current keyboard layout, click the language icon located on the taskbar (See Step 2).
- Keyboards that don't use the "QWERTY" layout will display garbled characters when you press the keys for English.
- Also, you can click on the keyboard layout under " Keyboard " in the left sidebar, then delete the unwanted keyboards.
Method 2 of 4: macOS Computer
Step 1. Switch to one of the languages installed on the computer
There are several ways to switch between installed languages:
- Click the flag or character icon in the menu bar at the top of the desktop. Next, select the desired language and keyboard input.
- Press Command + Space to move the cursor between the installed languages.
Step 2. Click the Apple menu
then select System Preferences.
The System Preferences menu will open, which can be used to set the available input languages on the computer.
Step 3. Click the Keyboard option, whose icon is in the shape of a keyboard
This will bring up the computer keyboard settings.
If you're not using a Mac keyboard, click Change keyboard type under the "Keyboard" tab. Follow the instructions provided to detect the type of keyboard you are using.
Step 4. Click the Input Sources tab
This tab is at the top of the Keyboard menu. You can choose the language installed in this tab.
Step 5. Click + which is below the list of languages on the left side
A menu that can be used to add a language will be displayed.
Also, you can click on any language or keyboard input in the list of languages and delete that language by clicking the minus (-) below the list
Step 6. Find the desired language
Search for the desired language using the search field in the lower right corner. Any language that matches your search will be displayed.
Step 7. Select the desired language, then click Add
Select the language you want by clicking on it in the list on the right. After that, click Add in the lower right corner to add the language. You can add as many languages as you need. Select the desired keyboard layout or language by clicking the flag or character icon in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
Method 3 of 4: Windows 8 and 8.1
Step 1. Check the NumLock button and Fn+NumLock.
Many laptops convert some of the keyboard keys into numbers when NumLock is activated. Be sure to disable this function by pressing the " NumLock " or " FN " + " NumLock " button. Now, try typing on the keyboard to see if the keys are back to normal. If these steps don't solve the problem, it may be that the language you selected is incorrect.
Step 2. Switch between installed keyboards
There are several ways to change the input language if you have multiple keyboards installed on your computer:
- Click the Language button in the System Tray. Here are abbreviations for the current language and keyboard layout. Next, click the language you want to use. This only appears if you have multiple languages or keyboards installed.
- Press and hold the Windows key, then press the Spacebar to switch between the installed language and keyboard.
- Press and hold the Windows key, then press the Spacebar to move between installed keyboards.
Step 3. Open the Charms menu by pressing Win+C
Follow this method if the problem is not resolved using the steps above. You can also open it by moving your mouse to the lower right corner, or by swiping from right to left on the screen.
Step 4. Click Settings
It's below the gear icon in the Charms bar. The Settings menu will open.
Step 5. Click Control Panel
This will open the Windows Control Panel.
You can find it under "Change PC settings" or "more PC settings" in the lower-right corner of the Settings menu
Step 6. Click Change input method
This option is located under "Clock, Language & Region" in the Control Panel. You'll find them next to the clock and globe icons.
Step 7. Click Options
This option is to the right of the language selected in the " Change your language preferences " menu.
- If the wrong language is selected, click the desired language in the language list. Select the button that says Move Up above the language list until the language you selected is at the top of the list.
- If the language you want is not listed, click Add Language at the top of the menu, then select the desired language. After that, download the language pack.
- In addition, you can click Remove next to the unwanted keyboard or input method in the " Language Options " window to remove it.
Step 8. Click Add an input method
This blue text button is in the area that says "Input method".
Step 9. Type the desired language or keyboard layout in the search field
You can find the search field in the upper right corner of the " Input method " window. This will bring up a list of keyboard layouts and input methods.
Step 10. Click the keyboard layout you want
It's in the list of keyboard layouts and input methods. The input method you want will be selected.
Step 11. Click Add
It's in the lower-right corner of the "Input Method" window. The input method you want will be added, and the computer screen will display the "Language Options" menu again.
Step 12. Click Save at the bottom right of the "Language Options" menu
Your input language and keyboard settings will be saved. You can switch to the desired language and keyboard input by clicking the language icon in the taskbar (See Step 2).
Method 4 of 4: Windows 7
Step 1. Check the NumLock button and Fn+NumLock.
Many laptops convert some of the keyboard keys into numbers when NumLock is activated. Be sure to disable this function by pressing the " NumLock " or " FN " + " NumLock " button. Now, try typing on the keyboard to see if the keys are back to normal. If these steps don't solve the problem, it may be that the language you selected is incorrect.
Step 2. Switch between installed keyboards
If your computer has multiple keyboards installed, and you want to switch layouts, you can do this in the following ways:
- Click the keyboard-shaped icon on the taskbar in the lower-right corner of the screen. You can find it next to the System Tray. If you can't find it, right-click the taskbar, then select " Toolbars " → " Language bar ".
- Press and hold the Windows key and press the Spacebar to switch between installed languages.
Step 3. Click Start
on Windows.
The button has the Windows logo which by default is in the lower right corner.
Step 4. Click Control Panel which is on the left side of the Start menu
The Control Panel page will be displayed. You can use Control Panel to remove unwanted keyboards or install needed keyboards.
Step 5. Click Change keyboards or other input methods
This option is under "Clock, Language & Region" in the Control Panel. You'll find them next to the clock and globe-shaped icons.
Step 6. Click the Keyboards and Languages tab
This tab is at the top of the " Region and Languages " window. The computer keyboard options will open.
Step 7. Click Change keyboards at the top of the menu
A new window will appear containing a list of installed keyboards.
Step 8. Click the Add button
If the desired language is not in the list, you can click " Add " to explore all available input languages.
Step 9. Click the desired language and tick the keyboard layout you want to use
Click the desired language in the list of languages, which will bring up a list of available regions and keyboard layouts. Click the checkbox next to the keyboard layout you want.
Step 10. Click Ok
The language and keyboard layout you selected will be added.
Step 11. Select the keyboard layout you want
Select the desired language and keyboard input using the drop-down menu located under " Default input language ".
- Also, you can click on the language and keyboard layout you don't want in the "Installed services" list, then click Remove to the right of it to delete that language and keyboard input.
- Click the keyboard input you selected in the list before "Installed Services", then click Move Up until the input you selected is at the top of the list.
Step 12. Click Apply
Doing so will apply the language and keyboard settings on the computer. You can switch to the desired keyboard input by clicking on the keyboard icon in the System Tray located at the bottom of the screen (See Step 2).
