How to fix a keyboard that's typing the wrong characters

It can be frustrating when your keyboard starts typing the wrong characters. It can happen to anyone and can be caused by a variety of issues. The good news is that there are several solutions you can try to fix the problem.

In this article, we’ll explore How to fix a keyboard that’s typing the wrong characters and provide practical solutions to help you fix the issue.

1. Check Your Language Settings

One of the most common reasons why a keyboard may start typing the wrong characters is due to language settings. If you have multiple languages installed on your computer, it’s possible that your keyboard is set to a different language.

To check your language settings on Windows, follow these steps:

Go to the Start menu and click on “Settings.”
Click on “Time & Language.”
Click on “Language” and ensure that your desired language is selected.

On Mac, you can check your language settings by following these steps:

Click on the Apple menu and select “System Preferences.”
Click on “Language & Region.”
Ensure that your desired language is selected.

If you have multiple languages installed on your computer, you may need to remove the languages that you don’t use to avoid accidentally switching to them.

2. Clean Your Keyboard

Another common reason why a keyboard may start typing the wrong characters is due to dirt and debris that has accumulated under the keys. This can cause keys to stick or not register when pressed, resulting in incorrect characters being typed.

To clean your keyboard, follow these steps:

Shut down your computer and disconnect the keyboard.
Turn the keyboard upside down and gently shake it to remove any loose debris.
Use a can of compressed air to blow out any remaining debris.

Be sure to let the keyboard dry completely before reconnecting it to your computer. You can also check “How to Clean Under a Laptop Keyboard”, “How to Clean a Keyboard Mac: A Step-by-Step Guide“, or “How to Clean and maintain your keyboard” to know more about cleaning keyboards.

3. Check Your Keyboard Layout

Another reason why a keyboard may start typing the wrong characters is due to the keyboard layout being set incorrectly. This can happen if you’ve accidentally changed the keyboard layout or if you’re using a keyboard with a different layout than what you’re used to.

To check your keyboard layout on Windows, follow these steps:

Go to the Start menu and click on “Settings.”
Click on “Time & Language.”
Click on “Language” and ensure that your desired language is selected.
Click on “Options.”
Click on “Add a keyboard.”
Select the correct keyboard layout.

On Mac, you can check your keyboard layout by following these steps:

Click on the Apple menu and select “System Preferences.”
Click on “Keyboard.”
Click on “Input Sources.”
Ensure that the correct keyboard layout is selected.
Check Your Num Lock and Caps Lock

Sometimes, the Num Lock and Caps Lock keys can get accidentally pressed, resulting in incorrect characters being typed. Make sure that these keys are turned off if you’re not intending to use them.

To check your Num Lock and Caps Lock on Windows, look for the Num Lock and Caps Lock indicators on your keyboard. If they’re lit up, press the corresponding key to turn them off.

On Mac, the Num Lock and Caps Lock keys are not available on the standard keyboard. However, some keyboards may have them, so check to see if they’re turned on.

4. Update Your Keyboard Drivers

If none of the above solutions have worked, it’s possible that your keyboard drivers need to be updated. Outdated or corrupt drivers can cause all sorts of problems with your keyboard, including typing the wrong characters.

To update your keyboard drivers on Windows, follow these steps:

Go to the Start menu and type “Device Manager.”
Click on “Device Manager” from the search results.
Expand the “Keyboards” category.
Right-click on your keyboard and select “Update driver.”
Follow the on-screen instructions to update your drivers.

On Mac, keyboard drivers are updated automatically through the operating system updates. If you’re experiencing issues with your keyboard, try updating your Mac to the latest version of the operating system.

5. Try a Different Keyboard

If all else fails, it may be time to try a different keyboard. If you have access to another keyboard, connect it to your computer and see if the issue persists. If the problem goes away with the new keyboard, then your old keyboard may be faulty and needs to be replaced.