Num Lock Won't Stay on: How to Fix It in 5 Steps

Outdated Windows can prevent the Num Lock key from staying on

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Key notes

  • Num Lock not staying on can be due to many issues.
  • However, fast startup is the primary cause of the problem.
  • Updating the keyboard driver and Windows OS can fix the problem.
numlock won't stay on

The Num Lock key allows you to lock some specific keys on your keyboard to access only the numeric functions. However, we receive complaints from users that the Num Lock won’t stay on, which can be frustrating.

Likewise, the keyboard typing wrong characters/letters are another issue users report.

Why won’t the Num Lock key stay on?

The most common cause is the Fast Startup feature in Windows computers. It speeds up the system’s startup process in a way that is faster than the normal process. So, the Num Lock key and other keys may not start properly.

Other factors that can cause the Num Lock key not to stay on are:

  • External device interference – Sometimes, devices connected to the computer can affect how it works and interfere with its functionality, like the Num Lock. For instance, having an external keyboard connected while using your PC’s keyboard may cause problems.
  • Outdated Windows – Not keeping Windows OS up to date can cause issues with the various components of your computer. It prevents your Windows from being able to fix bugs that are liable to cause problems with your PC’s functionality.
  • Issues with the BIOS – Specific configurations in the Windows BIOS can affect the Num Lock function on your computer. They can cause problems with Windows thinking the Num Lock function is off, then turning it on when it is already on. It results in the num lock function turning off.

Sometimes, users can experience issues with Num Lock not staying for unrelated reasons. Nonetheless, you can fix it by tweaking some settings on your PC.

What can I do if the Num Lock won’t stay on?

Before trying any troubleshooting steps, go through the following preliminary checks:

If the Num Lock problem still occurs, proceed with the following solutions:

1. Disable fast startup

  1. Right-click the Start button, type the control panel and launch it.
  2. Select Hardware and Sound, then click Power Options.
  3. Click on Choose what the power buttons does.
  4. Select Change settings that are currently unavailable.
  5. Uncheck the Turn on fast startup option and click Save Changes.
  6. Restart your PC to sync the changes correctly and check if the problem persists.

Disabling Fast startup allows Windows to start its components properly before starting up.

2. Update Windows OS

  1. Click on the Start button and select Settings.
  2. Click the Windows Update option and select Check for updates. If there are any updates available, Windows will search for and install them.

Updating your OS can fix bugs affecting your PC and causing the Num Lock not to stay on.

If you encounter issues with the Windows update, check our guide on fixing Windows updates & security issues on your PC.

3. Update your keyboard driver

  1. Press Windows + R key to open the Run window, and type devmgmt.msc into the search space, and click OK to open the Device Manager.
  2. Expand the Keyboards from the devices menu, right-click on your keyboard device, and select Update driver.
  3. Then click on Search automatically for drivers and restart your PC.

Updating your keyboard driver can fix any problems or bugs plaguing it. If you can’t go with the steps above, check other ways to update drivers on Windows 11.

Most common Windows errors and bugs can result from faulty or incompatible drivers. An outdated system can lead to lags, system issues, or even BSoDs.

You can prevent these problems by using an automatic tool that will search and install the correct drivers on your computer with just a few clicks. That's why we recommend you use Outbyte Driver Updater. Here's how to do it:
  1. Download and install the Outbyte Driver Updater app.
  2. Launch the software.
  3. Wait for the app to detect all incompatible drivers.
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  4. Afterward, it will show you a list of the drivers found to select the ones to Update or Ignore.
  5. Click on Update & Apply Selected to download and install the newest versions.
  6. Restart your PC to ensure the applied changes.
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4. Enable the Registry key

  1. Press Windows + R key to open the Run dialog box, type Regedit, and click OK to open the Registry Editor.
  2. Navigate to the following key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Keyboard
  3. Right-click on the InitialKeyboardIndicators registry string, clear the value data and set it to 2, then click OK.
  4. Navigate to the following key: HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Keyboard
  5. Right-click on the registry string InitialKeyboardIndicators, then set the value to 2147483648.
  6. Close the Registry Editor and restart your PC.

Using the Registry Editor allows you to edit the keyboard registry keys, helping it to function.

5. Turn off the Mouse key

  1. Left-click the Start button, type the control panel, and launch it.
  2. Go to the Ease of Access Center.
  3. Then click on Make the keyboard easier to use.
  4. Go to Control the mouse with the keyboard and uncheck the box for the Turn On Mouse Keys option.
  5. Click on Apply and then on OK.

Many users have reported that this helped them fix the problem with the Num Lock not staying on.

Alternatively, you can read about what to do if the number pad is not working in Windows 10/11.

Likewise, we have a detailed guide on how to fix keyboard beeping when typing on your PC.

Please leave your suggestions or questions in the comments section below.

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