How to turn NumLk on when the NumLk key does not respond?

Question

In Excel or Word, the NumLk key does not allow the number keypad to type numbers, only allows math symbols (/*-+). How do I turn the number function back on?

Answer 1

1

If pressing the Num Lock key does not enable the number pad, try pressing Fn + Num Lock on your keyboard to see if that enables the number pad.

2

If not, open the Settings App, go to Accessibility - Mouse.

Check if the 'Mouse keys' setting is enabled, if so, disable that setting.

Answer 2

If the Num Lock key is not responding and you are unable to use the numeric keypad to type numbers in Excel or Word, you can try the following steps:

1. Check the Num Lock Status: Sometimes, the Num Lock status may not be correctly reflected. You can check the state of the Num Lock key using the NumLock property in programming environments like C# or Visual Basic. This can help you determine if the Num Lock is actually off.
2. Use On-Screen Keyboard: You can use the On-Screen Keyboard (OSK) to toggle the Num Lock. To open the OSK, type "On-Screen Keyboard" in the Windows search bar and press Enter. Once the OSK is open, click on the "Options" key, and then click on "Turn on numeric key pad" to enable the numeric keypad functionality.
3. External Keyboard: If you have an external keyboard available, try connecting it to see if the Num Lock key works there. If it does, the issue may be with your laptop's keyboard.
4. Check for Debris: Sometimes, debris under the keys can cause issues. Use compressed air to blow under the affected keys or wipe them with a slightly damp microfiber cloth.
5. Safe Mode: Boot your computer in Safe Mode to see if the Num Lock key works there. If it does, a third-party application may be interfering with its functionality.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, it may be necessary to check for hardware problems or consider updating your keyboard drivers.