7 reasons why Num Lock doesn’t work in Windows 10 (and how to fix it)

Short, direct answer: if your Num Lock doesn’t work in Windows 10, it’s usually caused by one of seven things: the key is off or physically faulty, keyboard drivers or USB ports are misbehaving, Windows or BIOS defaults reset the Num Lock state at boot, accessibility settings (Mouse Keys) hijack the numeric keypad, Fast Startup clears the state, remote sessions change the behavior, or registry settings are wrong. This article explains each cause, gives step‑by‑step fixes, and offers tips to prevent the problem.

You’ll learn quick checks, exact menu paths and commands, BIOS and registry edits, and safe troubleshooting steps you can follow even if you’re not a tech expert.

Key Takeaway

Most Num Lock issues are resolved by checking the keyboard and Windows settings first; if the problem persists, enable Num Lock in BIOS/UEFI and set the InitialKeyboardIndicators registry value to 2 so Windows keeps Num Lock enabled at boot.

Quick Fix Guide

Reason for the Problem	Quick Solution
Num Lock key is simply off or stuck	Press the Num Lock key or test with On-Screen Keyboard.
Hardware/connection problem (keyboard or USB port)	Try a different keyboard or USB port and clean connectors.
BIOS/UEFI defaults turn Num Lock off at boot	Enable Num Lock (or “NumLock” / “Boot Up NumLock”) in BIOS/UEFI.
Windows Fast Startup clears Num Lock state	Disable Fast Startup in Control Panel > Power Options.
Corrupted or outdated keyboard driver	Update or reinstall driver in Device Manager.
Ease of Access / Mouse Keys is using the numeric keypad	Turn off Mouse Keys in Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard.
Registry or remote session resets Num Lock state	Set InitialKeyboardIndicators = 2 and check Remote Desktop settings.

Detailed Fixes for “tu mets ici le problème du 7 reasons why Num Lock doesn’t work in Windows 10 (and how to fix it)”

1) Num Lock key is turned off, stuck or mapped incorrectly

Why this causes the problem

• The simplest cause is that the key is off or not registering. Some keyboards have an LED that shows Num Lock status; others don’t. Key mapping software can also change what that key does.

Step‑by‑step solution

1. Press the Num Lock key once and try the numeric keypad.
2. Open the On‑Screen Keyboard: press Windows key + R, type osk.exe, press Enter, and click the NumLock button on the on‑screen keyboard to toggle it.
3. If it still doesn’t respond, try a different physical keyboard (USB or Bluetooth) to confirm the key itself is bad.
4. Check if any keyboard remapping utilities are installed (AutoHotkey, keyboard manufacturer software) and disable or uninstall them.

Notes/Tips

• If the Num Lock LED is physically stuck, a hardware repair or replacement is likely needed.

2) Hardware or USB port issues

Why this causes the problem

• Faulty USB ports, wireless keyboard connection problems, or worn-out key contacts can prevent the Num Lock signal from reaching Windows.

Step‑by‑step solution

1. Plug the keyboard into a different USB port (avoid unpowered hubs; use a direct port).
2. If using a wireless keyboard, replace the batteries, re‑pair the receiver, or test with a wired keyboard.
3. In Device Manager (press Windows key + X > Device Manager), expand Keyboards, right‑click your device and choose Uninstall device then restart; Windows will reinstall drivers automatically.
4. If the keyboard works on another PC, the issue is local; if not, replace the keyboard.

Notes/Tips

• Try both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports; sometimes legacy keyboards work better on USB 2.0.

3) BIOS/UEFI setting resets Num Lock at boot

Why this causes the problem

• Many motherboards include a setting to set the Num Lock state during boot (often called “NumLock”, “Boot Up NumLock”, or “Numlock State”). If it’s off, Windows will start with Num Lock disabled.

Step‑by‑step solution

1. Restart your PC and enter BIOS/UEFI (common keys: F2, Delete, F10, Esc — check your PC manual).
2. Look for a setting named NumLock, Boot Up NumLock, Boot NumLock State, or similar in the Boot or Advanced menus.
3. Set it to On or Enabled. Save changes and exit (usually F10).
4. Boot into Windows and check the keypad.

Notes/Tips

• BIOS menus vary by manufacturer; search your motherboard manual for “Num Lock” or “numlock” if it’s not obvious.

4) Fast Startup clears the Num Lock state

Why this causes the problem

• Windows 10’s Fast Startup (a hybrid shutdown that speeds boot times) can restore a previous keyboard state or ignore the user’s Num Lock setting.

Step‑by‑step solution

1. Open Control Panel (press Windows key, type Control Panel).
2. Go to Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do.
3. Click Change settings that are currently unavailable.
4. Under Shutdown settings, uncheck Turn on fast startup (recommended) and click Save changes.
5. Shut down and start the computer again to confirm.

Notes/Tips

• Disabling Fast Startup may slightly increase boot time but often fixes keyboard state issues at boot.

5) Corrupted or outdated keyboard driver

Why this causes the problem

• Driver problems can stop the keyboard from reporting the Num Lock state correctly, especially after Windows updates.

Step‑by‑step solution

1. Open Device Manager (Windows key + X > Device Manager).
2. Expand Keyboards, right‑click the keyboard device, and choose Update driver.
3. Select Search automatically for updated driver software. If none found, choose Uninstall device, then restart Windows to force a reinstall.
4. If the keyboard is from a vendor (Logitech, Corsair, etc.), download the latest driver from the manufacturer’s website and install it.

Notes/Tips

• For USB keyboards, also check Universal Serial Bus controllers and update the USB host controller drivers.

6) Ease of Access (Mouse Keys) or accessibility features are using the numeric keypad

Why this causes the problem

• Windows has a feature called Mouse Keys that uses the numeric keypad to move the mouse; when enabled, it changes keypad behavior and Num Lock may appear nonfunctional.

Step‑by‑step solution

1. Open Settings (Windows key + I) and go to Ease of Access > Keyboard.
2. Under Use Mouse Keys, make sure the toggle is Off.
3. Also ensure Sticky Keys and Filter Keys are set appropriately (off if you don’t need them).
4. Test the numeric keypad again.

Notes/Tips

• There’s a checkbox to allow a shortcut (Alt + Left Shift + Num Lock) to turn Mouse Keys on/off; uncheck it to avoid accidental activation.

7) Registry, login screen, or remote desktop resets

Why this causes the problem

• Windows reads Num Lock state during the login screen from a registry key; remote desktop sessions and some boot scenarios can override or ignore this. If the registry value is wrong, Num Lock won’t be enabled at boot/login.

Step‑by‑step solution (Registry edit: make a backup first)

1. Press Windows key + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to HKEY_USERS.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Keyboard.
3. Double‑click InitialKeyboardIndicators and set the value data to 2 (2 = NumLock on at login).
4. Also check HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Keyboard\InitialKeyboardIndicators and set that to 2.
5. Close Registry Editor and restart the PC.
6. If using Remote Desktop, in the client check Local Resources > Keyboard and choose On this computer for “Apply Windows key combinations” so Num Lock syncs correctly.

Notes/Tips

• Typical values: 0 = NumLock off, 2 = NumLock on. In older sources you may see 2147483648 used for some edge cases—generally stick with 2.

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Preventive checklist and quick fixes

• Always test with the On‑Screen Keyboard (osk.exe) to determine if the issue is hardware or software.
• Keep Windows and device drivers updated: Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
• If you routinely need Num Lock on, enable it in BIOS and set InitialKeyboardIndicators = 2 in the registry.
• Avoid using third‑party keyboard remapping tools unless you need their features.
• For laptops, check if an Fn Lock or secondary function key toggles Num Lock behavior—consult the laptop manual.

FAQ

Why does Num Lock turn off after I log out or switch users?

When you switch users, Windows applies the Num Lock state stored for the target user or the default profile. Set HKEY_USERS.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Keyboard\InitialKeyboardIndicators to 2 and ensure each user’s HKCU value is set to 2 to keep it on.

Can I map Num Lock to another key or create a shortcut?

Yes — with tools like AutoHotkey you can remap keys or create a toggle script, but that is an advanced workaround; it’s better to fix the root cause unless you specifically need a custom mapping.

Does Num Lock affect gaming or other apps?

Some games and apps read input directly and may behave differently depending on Num Lock state. If a game misinterprets numeric keypad input, toggle Num Lock or change key bindings within the game.

Why does Num Lock behave differently in Remote Desktop?

Remote Desktop can pass your Num Lock state from the client to the host or vice versa depending on settings. In the Remote Desktop client, go to Show Options > Local Resources > Keyboard and choose how Windows key combinations are applied; also ensure Num Lock is set correctly on both machines.

Is it safe to edit the Registry to fix Num Lock?

Yes, if you follow the steps carefully and back up the registry first: in Registry Editor, use File > Export to save a copy. Changing InitialKeyboardIndicators is a low‑risk edit but always proceed with a backup.

Conclusion

Most Num Lock problems in Windows 10 are straightforward: check the key and hardware first, then adjust Windows accessibility, driver, Fast Startup, BIOS, or registry settings. If your Num Lock doesn’t work in Windows 10, follow the steps above—especially enabling Num Lock in BIOS/UEFI and setting InitialKeyboardIndicators = 2—and the problem should be resolved.