Custom hotkeys to change input language disappear frequently

Question

I had the same problem in Windows 7, and it persists in Windows 8. This happened in three computers I had, including the current one.

I have configured three input languages, and I assign a hotkey (alt+shift+number) to each of them. However, after some time, the hotkeys are reset; sometimes it's just some of them, other times they all disappear. They often keep working, but there are a few times when I can't switch languages in any other than pressing shift+alt or by clicking.

This issue may also be related - Sometimes I can't change languages from IME to English or any other. For that, I have to switch between input methods in IME (with alt+`), and only after I do that I can use the hotkeys. Again, switching languages with shift+alt works, but the custom hotkeys don't.

Does anyone know the cause of the problems I described? Is there a way to fix it? Are there any plans from Microsoft to fix these bugs?

Thank you.

Answer 1

I was experiencing this problem and it was driving me crazy - I was living in Ukraine and this issue was coming up constantly.  I realized the problem was only happening when I went to the Lock Screen.

The solution was to Copy my language settings to the lock screen.  Unfortunately, my notes are sparse but I still wanted to post for my fellow language lovers and polyglots:

1. Go to Control Panel -> Language -> Advanced Settings
2. Set up your Language Bar Hot Keys like you want
3. Click "Apply language settings to the welcome screen..."
4. Click Copy Settings and select Welcome Screen

Voila.  That should do the trick and you won't see this issue ever again.  Can someone else confirm this fixes the problem for them?

Answer 2

I was experiencing this problem and it was driving me crazy - I was living in Ukraine and this issue was coming up constantly.  I realized the problem was only happening when I went to the Lock Screen.

The solution was to Copy my language settings to the lock screen.  Unfortunately, my notes are sparse but I still wanted to post for my fellow language lovers and polyglots:

1. Go to Control Panel -> Language -> Advanced Settings
2. Set up your Language Bar Hot Keys like you want
3. Click "Apply language settings to the welcome screen..."
4. Click Copy Settings and select Welcome Screen

Voila.  That should do the trick and you won't see this issue ever again.  Can someone else confirm this fixes the problem for them?

I can't express you how much I love you, this has been driving me mad for years, literally, and never noticed it was because of the welcome screen resetting them. I even worked once for Microsoft on Tech Support and never got this sorted out lol.

Answer 3

I was experiencing this problem and it was driving me crazy - I was living in Ukraine and this issue was coming up constantly.  I realized the problem was only happening when I went to the Lock Screen.

The solution was to Copy my language settings to the lock screen.  Unfortunately, my notes are sparse but I still wanted to post for my fellow language lovers and polyglots:

1. Go to Control Panel -> Language -> Advanced Settings
2. Set up your Language Bar Hot Keys like you want
3. Click "Apply language settings to the welcome screen..."
4. Click Copy Settings and select Welcome Screen

Voila.  That should do the trick and you won't see this issue ever again.  Can someone else confirm this fixes the problem for them?

 in win 7 

1 go to region and language 

2 Set up your Language Bar Hot Keys like you want

3 administrative tab  > Click Copy Setting 

4 Click Copy Settings and select Welcome Screen

Answer 4

I had the same problem in Windows 7, and it persists in Windows 8. This happened in three computers I had, including the current one.

I have configured three input languages, and I assign a hotkey (alt+shift+number) to each of them. However, after some time, the hotkeys are reset; sometimes it's just some of them, other times they all disappear. They often keep working, but there are a few times when I can't switch languages in any other than pressing shift+alt or by clicking.

This issue may also be related - Sometimes I can't change languages from IME to English or any other. For that, I have to switch between input methods in IME (with alt+`), and only after I do that I can use the hotkeys. Again, switching languages with shift+alt works, but the custom hotkeys don't.

Does anyone know the cause of the problems I described? Is there a way to fix it? Are there any plans from Microsoft to fix these bugs?

Thank you.

Hi,

Have you resolved this issue?  I have the exact same problem in Windows 8: some hot keys disappear by themselves without even me doing anything (i.e. did some search on Internet explorer, go away for 10-15 minutes, come back and then some of the hot-keys disappear).

Here's my setup:

Left-Shift + ALT + 1: English  (Disappears)

Left-Shift + ALT + 2: French (Canada)  (Disappears)

Left-Shift + ALT + 3: Chinese Changjie (stays)

Left-Shift + ALT + 4: Spanish (Disappears)

Left-Shift + ALT + 5: Japanese (Disappears)

On Windows 7 Ultimate it worked well on 2 of my machines, but doesn't work on my company machine.  This problem happened in Vista too.

I frequently switch languages, so I feel very frustrated with the hot keys disappearing for no good reason.  Microsoft please fix!!

Answer 5

Yes, that's it, it fixed it.  Thank you very much. (Windows 8.1)