Numeric keypad for laptop not working

Sometimes the integrated Keyboard on laptop or the external keyboard attached to desktop may refuse to type numbers. You will find below the steps to fix the issue of Keyboard not typing numbers in Windows 10.

Keyboard Not typing Numbers in Windows 10

A typical full sized keyboard will have a dedicated number pad in addition to the number keys located above the letter keys.

Depending on the case, you may face the issue of only the number pad keys not working or both number pad and number keys not working on your computer.

Another problem noticed on compact or mini keyboards is that of Keyboard typing numbers only, instead of typing both letters and numbers.

The reason for this issue in bother regular and compact keyboard ranges from the simple case of Number Pad being accidentally switched OFF to other reasons like the keyboard drivers being outdated/corrupted.

1. Enable Numlock on the Keyboard

The most common reason for laptop keyboard not typing numbers is due to the Num Lock key being accidentally disabled.

Depending on the Keyboard, you may find a small LED indicator on the keyboard to indicate whether the Number Lock is enabled or not.

If you are unable to type numbers, simply press the Num Lock key once to enable the Number pad. You will see the LED light glowing, indicating that the Number Pad is now working.

If there is no LED on the keyboard, you should be able to see a message on the screen, confirming that the number pad has been activated.

2. Turn OFF Mouse Keys

Another reason for Keyboard not typing numbers in Windows 10 is due to the mouse keys being switched ON.

1. Open Settings > click on Ease of Access tab.

2. On the next screen, scroll down and click on Mouse in the left pane. In the right-pane, disable Turn on Mouse Keys to use numeric keypad option.

Now, see if you are able to type numbers on your computer.

3. Run Keyboard Troubleshooter

Windows 10 comes with an in-built keyboard troubleshooter that can help you find and fix problems with the keyboard on your computer

1. Open Settings > click on Updates and Security.

2. On the next screen, click on Troubleshoot in the left pane. In the right-pane, click on Keyboard and then click on Run the Troubleshooter.

3. Wait for the Troubleshooter to find and fix Keyboard related problems on your computer.

4. Update Keyboard Drivers

The reason for keyboard not typing numbers could also be due to outdated or corrupted keyboard drivers on your computer

1. Right-click on the Start button and click on Device Manager.

2. On the Device Manager screen, expand Keyboards entry > right-click on the problematic Keyboard and select Update driver option in the contextual menu.

3. On the next screen, click on Search Automatically for updated driver software option.

Restart your computer and see if the keyboard is now typing numbers.

5. Disable Filter Keys

The Filter Keys setting in Windows 10 can sometimes cause problems with certain Keyboards.

1. Open Settings on your computer and click on Ease of Access.

2. On the next screen, select Keyboard in the left pane and Turn OFF Filter Keys option.

Restart your computer and see if the USB Keyboard is now working

6. Use Different User Account

If the none of the above methods worked, sign-in using another User Account and see if the keyboard types numbers.

If the keyboard works normally from another user account, the problem is most likely due to your user account being corrupted.

In this case, you can either create a New User Account or try to repair your corrupted User account.

7. Use External Keyboard

Connect an external keyboard to your laptop and see if you can type numbers.

If the external keyboard works, the problem is most likely hardware related and you should consider getting the keyboard examined by a technician.

Did you purchase a laptop or a mini-keyboard and find yourself missing your numpad? Many Windows applications work better with a numpad, and it can be easy to underestimate its use until its gone. But not everyone wants a full-size keyboard, and very few laptops come equipped with numpads.

Still, there are plenty of ways to use a numpad on your computer, even if your keyboard doesn't have one. Windows offers built-in solutions, and additional options exist outside your PC as well. If you need a numpad for your laptop or keyboard, these solutions will fit your needs.

1. Windows 10's On-Screen Keyboard

The on-screen keyboard in Windows 10 has a virtual numpad that you can use. While not always as fast as a keyboard numpad, the customizable options available for the on-screen keyboard make it a worthy numpad emulator.

To access the on-screen keyboard, you can take a few different routes. The fastest route involves holding down the Windows key + Ctrl + O to open the on-screen keyboard. You can also turn the on-screen keyboard on or off from anywhere with the same keyboard shortcut.

If you prefer to go through Windows' settings, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open Settings.
2. Select Ease of Access.
3. On the left sidebar, select Keyboard.
4. Under Use the On-Screen Keyboard, turn the slider to On.

When the on-screen keyboard first appears, there will be no number pad. You'll need to click the Options button in the lower-right corner, and then check Turn on numeric key pad. Click OK when you're done.

Finally, press the NumLock button to bring up the keypad.

Related: A Brief Guide to Windows 10 Accessibility Tools

Now, whenever you need to type a number from the numpad, just click it on the on-screen keyboard. If you select the Hover over keys option, you can also simply hover your cursor over a key in place of a mouse click. By adjusting the hover duration, you can also customize the time it takes before it registers as a press.

If you strictly want to use an in-built keyboard but need to save screen space, you can shrink down the keyboard to mostly focus on the numpad.

2. Numeric Keypad Emulators

For a more specialized and space-saving option, you can download a numpad emulator. While there are many options, you want a virtual numpad with the specifications that fit your needs.

Numpad Emulator offers a variety of options including the ability to scale the button-size, change what keys appear on the numpad, and place special symbols using alt codes without an actual numpad.

If you don't need any customizations, the virtual numpad works just as smoothly as Windows' on-screen keyboard.

Download: Numpad Emulator (Free)

3. Laptop NumLock

Many laptops address the lack of a number pad by including a hidden numpad activated by the NumLock key. The numbers will usually be highlighted in a color different than that of the regular keys (usually gray or blue). If you're trying to locate them, they often share the 7, 8, and 9 keys in the top number row.

To activate the number pad, find the number lock key (usually labeled NumLock, Num Lk, or Num). After locating it, look for the Fn or Alt key. If either the Fn or Alt key's color matches the alternate numbers, press it in conjunction with the number lock key.

You can tell you've succeeded by the number lock key lighting on or off. Now, the alternate color keys will function as the numpad for your laptop. Just remember to turn number lock off afterward using the same key combination.

4. iPhone and iPad Number Pads

There are a few app options that let you use your iPhone or iPad as a numpad emulator but not many feature direct Windows support.

Image Credit: Edovia Inc.

NumPad supports Windows as long as you use a VNC server such as TightVNC to connect to your computer. While the iOS app does cost a small amount, it's still cheaper and saves more space than an external numpad.

Download: Numpad ($3.99)

Download: TightVNC (Free)

5. Using AutoHotKey as a Number Pad

If you want a built-in solution that doesn't require an on-screen keyboard or a laptop, AutoHotKey is a great solution. If you're not familiar with the app, check out our quick AutoHotkey guide for beginners.

Here's a script that will let you use the Caps Lock key to send your number keys as numeric keypad keys:

SetCapsLockState, AlwaysOff
#If GetKeyState("CapsLock", "P")
1::Numpad1
2::Numpad2
3::Numpad3
4::Numpad4
5::Numpad5
6::Numpad6
7::Numpad7
8::Numpad8
9::Numpad9
0::Numpad0

This script keeps your Caps Lock key from doing its normal function, but how often do you use that key anyway?

If you want to use the Caps Lock key as a toggle for sending numeric keypad keys, replace the first two lines with this single one:

#If GetKeyState("CapsLock", "T")

Now, whenever the Caps Lock is on, your numbers will function as keypad numbers.

You can do all sorts of useful things with AHK and the numpad—you can use it to help automate and speed up repetitive processes. If you're willing to experiment, you can solve just about any problem.

6. Buy an External Numpad

If you need to use a numpad a lot, you may want to buy an external numpad. External number pads are exactly what they sound like: a small numpad that you connect to your computer via USB or Bluetooth.

While this option costs the most, it does make it dead simple to use numpad keys on your laptop. The physical keyboard makes it infinitely faster to type out lots of numbers too.

No Number Pad? No Problem!

With the six numpad options above, you'll be able to find a solution that best fits your needs. Whether you need a numpad for everyday use or the occasional activity, an emulator or external option can speed up your typing.

If you're looking to buy a TKL keyboard, these solutions are perfect for you. It means you can still benefit from the slim form factor that TKL keyboards bring, but you don't have to be without a numpad.

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