How do I fix my keyboard at key if it’s not working?

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by Milan Stanojevic

Deputy Editor

March 6, 2019

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Problems with @ key on your laptop keyboard can cause various issues, but today, we’re going to show you how to easily fix this problem on your Windows 10 laptop.

The ampersat or @ sign on your keyboard still makes the list because it has been used since yesteryears for commercial purposes in accounting and invoicing to mean ‘at the rate of’, but today it is widely used in emails and social media handles.

This just means we’re not dropping it any time soon, but what happens then when you experience @ key not working in Windows 10 laptop keyboard?

It can be devastating especially for social media enthusiasts and if you’re a frequent sender of emails, because you may not be able to use the keyboard shortcuts, and the process of finding it from symbols option is just too long.

Worry not, there are solutions to fix the issue and get your ampersat key working again.

Here’s how to fix @ key problems on Windows 10 laptop

1. Try on-screen keyboard
2. Use a different keyboard
3. Change Language in Control Panel
4. Use Two button reset
5. Run in Compatibility mode
6. Update keyboard and chipset drivers from the computer manufacturer’s website
7. Run Hardware and Devices troubleshooter
8. Disable Filter keys settings
9. Uninstall and reinstall the keyboard driver from manufacturer’s website

Solution 1 – Try on-screen keyboard

Here’s how to turn it on:

1. Click Start.
2. Select Settings.
   
   
3. Click Ease of Access.
4. Choose Keyboard.
   
   
5. Toggle the On-Screen keyboard to ON.
   
   
6. The keyboard will be displayed, try and check if @ key works when using the on-screen keyboard.
   

Solution 2 – Use a different keyboard

If @ key isn’t working on your laptop keyboard, there’s a possibility that your keyboard is faulty. As a workaround, you can attach a USB keyboard to your laptop and use it as a temporary solution. This isn’t the most elegant solution, but it should allow you to use your laptop until you manage to find the cause of the problem.

• ALSO READ: 12 of the best spill resistant keyboards to buy in 2018

Solution 3 – Change Language in Control Panel

Sometimes when you find @ key not working in Windows 10 laptop keyboard, it may have something to do with your Language settings.

Here’s how to check and change this:

1. Click Start.
2. Select Settings.
3. Select Time and Language.
   
   
4. Click Region and Language.
   
   
5. Under Country or Region, click on English (United Kingdom), and if not there, you can add it using Add a Language button.
   
6. Under Languages, click Windows display language.
7. Select Options.
   
   
8. Check what keyboard is selected under the Keyboards option.
   
9. Change the input language to English for your location.

Did this resolve the @ key not working in Windows 10 laptop keyboard problem? If not, try the next solution.

Solution 4 – Use Two button reset

If you’re using a Surface laptop, take the steps below to fix @ key not working in Windows 10 laptop keyboard problem:

1. Turn on the Surface and log in.
2. Attach the type or touch cover that isn’t working.
3. Hold the Volume Up key and Power key for 30 seconds then let go.
4. This will reboot the Surface and force it to reset all drivers – also called a Two button reset.
5. Once you are back on log in screen, use your keyboard.

• ALSO READ: How to fix keyboard beeping noise when typing

Solution 5 – Run in Compatibility mode

You can also run your keyboard in compatibility mode to see if it helps.

Do the following:

1. Right click Start.
2. Select Device Manager.
   
   
3. Find Keyboards and click on it to expand the list.
4. Right click on Keyboard driver.
5. Select Uninstall.
   
   
6. Go to the Software and Drivers sub-section (depending on the laptop brand this name can change), or search for drivers using Google so you can get a direct link to your device’s manufacturer website.
7. Once you’re on the website, find and download.
8. Install the appropriate drivers missing from your laptop that can cause @ key not working in Windows 10 laptop keyboard.
9. Right click on the driver.
10. Select Properties.
    
    
11. Select Compatibility tab.
12. Check the box Run this program in Compatibility Mode for.
13. Select Windows 10 operating system from the drop down.
14. Click on Apply, then click OK and run the file to install it.

Solution 6 – Update chipset drivers from the computer manufacturer’s website

You can find drivers from the manufacturer website’s support section for your laptop type.

Here’s how to update and install drivers from manufacturer website:

1. Go to the Software and Drivers sub-section (depending on the laptop brand this name can change), or search for drivers using Google so you can get a direct link to your device’s manufacturer website.
2. Once you’re on the website, find and download.
3. Install the appropriate drivers missing from your laptop that can cause @ key not working in Windows 10 laptop keyboard.

Another method you can use to update your drivers is by using third-party tools such as TweakBit Driver Updater. This is a simple tool that will allow you to update all outdated drivers on your PC automatically.

    –  Get now Tweakbit Driver Updater

Disclaimer: some functions of this tool might not be free

Once you update your drivers, check if the problem is still there.

• ALSO READ: Fix: Laptop keyboard not working on Windows 10

Solution 7 – Run Hardware and Devices troubleshooter

If you find @ key not working in Windows 10 laptop keyboard, then run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter to resolve the issue.

This checks for commonly occurring issues and ensures any new device or hardware is correctly installed on your computer.

Here’s how to go about it:

1. Right click Start.
2. Select Control Panel.
3. Go to View by option on the top right corner.
   
4. Click the drop down arrow and select Large icons.
   
   
5. Click Troubleshooting.
   
   
6. Click View all option on the left pane.
   
7. Click Hardware and Devices.
   
   
8. Click Next to run the troubleshooter

Follow the instructions to run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter.  The troubleshooter will begin detecting any issues that may be the cause of @ key not working in Windows 10 laptop keyboard.

Solution 8 – Disable Filter keys settings

Here’s how to do this:

1. Right click Start.
2. Select Control Panel.
   
   
3. Select Ease of Access.
   
   
4. Click on Change how your keyboard works.
   
   
5. Find the checkbox for Turn on Filter Keys.
6. Uncheck it if it has a mark and see if your keyboard works again.

Solution 9 – Uninstall and reinstall the keyboard driver from manufacturer’s website

Here’s how to do this:

1. Right click Start.
2. Select Device Manager.
   
   
3. Search for Keyboards and click on it to expand the list.
   
4. Right click on the Keyboard driver.
   
5. Select Uninstall.
6. Go to the Software and Drivers sub-section (depending on the laptop brand this name can change), or search for drivers using Google so you can get a direct link to your device’s manufacturer website.
7. Once you’re on the website, find and download.
8. Install the appropriate drivers missing from your laptop that can cause @ key not working in Windows 10 laptop keyboard.

Did any of these solutions help you fix @ key not working in Windows 10 laptop keyboard issue? Let us know in the comments section below.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in November 2017 and has been since revamped and updated for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness.

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• What are the best spill resistant keyboards to buy in 2019?
• Fix typing lag or slow keyboard response in Windows 10
• How to resize the on-screen keyboard on Windows 10