Fix: Windows 10 keyboard types the wrong characters

Keyboards are generally reliable peripherals. You can use them for years without encountering any issues whatsoever. But just like any hardware, they may sometimes behave erratically: certain keys won’t work, the keyboard is unresponsive or there’s a beeping noise when you type.

As you can see, the array of issue is quite diverse. Well, in this guide, we’re going to focus on an even stranger issue that causes keyboards to type the wrong letters. So, for example, you press the ‘w’ key, but your Word document or the Search box displays a different letter. We compiled a list of fixes that will hopefully help you solve this problem.

Computer keyboard types wrong characters

1. 1. Update your computer
   2. Check your language settings
   3. Check AutoCorrect settings
   4. Make sure NumLock is off
   5. Run the keyboard troubleshooter
   6. Scan your system for malware, viruses
   7. Uninstall keyboard drivers
   8. Buy a new keyboard

1. Update your OS

First things first, let us rule out outdated software as a possible root-cause for this problem. If you’re not running the latest Windows 10 software version on your computer, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check for updates.

Restart your computer and then check if the issue persists. On the other hand, there have also been reports suggesting that installing the latest Windows 10 updates actually broke keyboards. If this happened to you as well, try uninstall the respective updates or roll out back your OS.

• RELATED: Fix: Keyboard not working after Windows 10 rollback

2. Check your language settings

Sometimes, wrong language settings may be the culprit. So, make sure that you’re using the correct language settings for your keyboard. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Go to Control Panel > Clock, Language and Region
2. Select Language > go to Advanced Settings
3. Locate the option ‘Override on Default Input Method’ > use the drop down to select your preferred language
4. Set the ‘Override for windows display language’ to the same language > hit OK > restart your computer

If you use a different language, you need to first download the corresponding language pack by following these steps:

1. Go to Start > type ‘region and language’ > select Add a language
2. You now need to change your language settings and set the new language as default. You can follow the same steps listed above.

Some users who used different language settings confirmed they fixed the problem by using US English. If your keyboard keeps on typing the wrong characters, go to the next solution.

3. Check AutoCorrect settings

If changing the language layout settings didn’t help, make sure that AutoCorrect is properly set up. This workaround applies especially if your keyboard types the wrong letters in Word but works fine in other apps and programs.

1. Open Word > go to File > select Options
2. Navigate to Proofing > select AutoCorrect Options
3. Is there any AutoCorrect entry that converts the letters and function keys into numbers and special characters? If this is the case, then select and delete that entry.

4. Make sure NumLock is off

Sometimes, there is nothing wrong with your keyboard. The only ‘problem’ is that you forgot to turn off the NumLock key. So, simply press the NumLock key once and check if your keyboard now types the correct characters.

• RELATED: Fix: Windows 10 Bluetooth Keyboard Connected But Not Working

5. Run the keyboard troubleshooter

Windows 10 features a dedicated troubleshooting tool that allows users to quickly fix common issues affecting your computer. Since you’re experiencing a keyboard bug, go to Settings > Update & Security > select Troubleshoot. Scroll down,  locate the keyboard troubleshooter and run it.

Wait until the tool completes the scanning process and follow the troubleshooting instructions that may appear on the screen. You can then restart your Windows 10 computer and check if the problem persists.

6. Scan your system for malware, viruses and other threats

Your keyboard may type the wrong characters due to malware infections. Let us not forget that keyloggers are quite common and they may sometimes even change your keyboard settings. Generally speaking, keyloggers remain undetected, but sometimes they may trigger various keyboard issue, so it’s important to make sure that your computer is clean. To prevent future keylogger infections, check out these two guides:

• Best anti-keylogger software to obliterate keyloggers
• 5 best free anti-keylogger software for your Windows PC [2018 List]

Use your antivirus of choice to run a full system scan. If you don’t know what antivirus to install on your computer, check out this list of the best antivirus tools for Windows 10. We also recommend you to use an additional anti-malware tool, such as Malwarebytes.

• RELATED: Fix: On-Screen Keyboard not working in Windows 10

7. Uninstall keyboard drivers

If your keyboard driver is faulty, reinstalling it may help you fix the problem.

1. Go to Start > type ‘Device Manager’> double click on the first result
2. Locate the keyboard driver > right click on it > select Uninstall
3. Reboot your computer without reinstalling the driver. Your computer should reinstall the keyboard driver on its own. You can then launch Device Manager again 3. When the system restarts it should reinstall the driver on its own.

If this doesn’t happen, you can update your keyboard drivers automatically using TweakBit Driver Updater. In this manner, you’ll prevent PC damage by installing the wrong driver versions.

TweakBit Driver Updater is approved by Microsoft and Norton Antivirus and will help you update all outdated drivers safely. After several tests, our team concluded that this is the best-automatized solution. Below you can find a quick guide how to do it.

1. 1. Download and install TweakBit Driver Updater
   2. Once installed, the program will start scanning your PC for outdated drivers automatically. Driver Updater will check your installed driver versions against its cloud database of the latest versions and recommend proper updates. All you need to do is wait for the scan to complete.
      
   3. Upon scan completion, you get a report on all problem drivers found on your PC. Review the list and see if you want to update each driver individually or all at once. To update one driver at a time, click the ‘Update driver’ link next to the driver name. Or simply click the ‘Update all’ button at the bottom to automatically install all recommended updates.
      
      Note: Some drivers need to be installed in multiple steps so you will have to hit the ‘Update’ button several times until all of its components are installed.

Disclaimer: Some features of this tool are not free.

8. Buy a new keyboard

Well, if nothing worked, then maybe there is something wrong with your keyboard. If you’re using a USB or wireless keyboard, disconnect it and try another one. Also, don’t forget to use a different port as well. If the second keyboard works perfectly fine, then buy a new keyboard. For more information on the best keyboards to buy, check out the following guides:

• 12 of the best spill resistant keyboards to buy in 2018
• 7 best mini wireless keyboards for PC
• The 16 best mechanical keyboards for your Windows 10 PC

There you go, we hope that these workarounds helped you fix the problem and your keyboard now types the correct characters. If you’ve got additional tips and suggestions on how to fix this issue, let us know in the comments below.

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