Numbers Keypad does not work.

Question

Cannot get the numbers keys section to work on my HP laptop. The numbers work above the alpha keys, but not in the dedicated numbers section on the right side of the keyboard. Help! Thanks.

Answer 1

1

If pressing the Num Lock key or Fn + the Num Lock key did not resolve the problem, the Mouse Keys setting may be enabled.

Open the Settings App.

Go to Accessibility - Mouse.

If the Mouse keys setting is enabled, disable that setting.

2

If that also does not resolve the problem:

Open Command Prompt, then paste in this command and press Enter:

msdt.exe -id KeyboardDiagnostic

Run that Keyboard Troubleshooter to see if that can solve the problem.

Answer 2

It did NOT resolve the issue.

Answer 3

The above suggestion did NOT fix the problem.

Answer 4

On many laptops, the keys on the right side double as a numeric keypad and only work when Num Lock is turned on. If Num Lock is off, those keys may act as navigation keys or not enter numbers.

Try these steps:

1. Press the Num Lock key once, then test the right‑side number keys again.
2. If there is an Fn key on the keyboard, try Fn + Num Lock (or Fn + another key that has a small lock/number pad icon) to toggle the numeric keypad.
3. If an external keyboard is connected, make sure Num Lock is enabled on that keyboard as well. A Num Lock state on an external keyboard can affect how the built‑in keyboard behaves; turning Num Lock on or off there can restore normal behavior.
4. If some letter keys (like U, I, O, J, K, L, M) are typing numbers instead, Num Lock is likely on for an embedded keypad; turn Num Lock off using the same key combination as above.

If the keys still do not work after checking Num Lock, test with an external USB keyboard. If the external keyboard’s numeric keypad works but the laptop’s does not, the built‑in keyboard may have a hardware issue and may need service.

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References:

• How do I use the Fn key/F Lock key/Alternate command keys?
• Keyboard keys malfunctioning - Microsoft Q&A
• keypad issue - Microsoft Q&A