How to Fix a Windows Keyboard Typing in All Caps

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

This guide will take you through checking the most common causes of being only able to type in capital letters on your Windows computer. We'll show you how to check your Caps lock on your keyboard, teach you how your shift key works, and determine if you're having a hardware issue.

Tools You'll Need:

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Supplies You'll Need:

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Before You Begin:

  • Be at your computer.

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Caps Lock Key

2. Check the Keyboard Caps Lock & Shift Keys on Your Computer

Sometimes the Caps Lock and Shift keys can get stuck, causing problems.

Check the Caps Lock Key

On the left-hand side of the keyboard, press the Caps Lock key once, then try typing again.

PC Desktop Keyboard

PC Desktop Keyboard with Caps Lock highlighted

PC Laptop Keyboard

PC Laptop Keyboard with Caps Lock key highlighted

Check the Shift Key

On the left-hand side of the keyboard, make sure you aren't striking Shift key, then try typing again.

PC Desktop Keyboard

PC Desktop keyboard with Shift keys highlighted

PC Laptop Keyboard

PC Laptop keyboard with Shift keys highlighted

3. Reboot and Try Again

If the issue is still happening, you may need to restart as part of the troubleshooting process.

Before you restart or shut down your computer, make sure to save all necessary work to prevent data loss.

Reboot Your Windows PC

  1. Select the Start menu, then select Power.
click start then power
  1. Select Restart.
Windows 10 Power menu with Restart highlighted.
  1. Test your keyboard again to see if we fixed the issue.
testing the keyboard in notepad

4. Clone of Rule Out a Possible Hardware Issue

If Problems ContinueWhen your Windows keyboard starts typing in all caps, it can be a frustrating and confusing experience. This issue can disrupt your workflow and communication. In this blog post, we'll explore various solutions to fix a keyboard that's typing in all caps on a Windows computer.

Understanding the Problem

First, it's important to determine why your keyboard is typing in all caps. Common reasons include:

  1. Caps Lock Key: The most obvious reason is the accidental activation of the Caps Lock key.
  2. Sticky Keys Feature: Windows has an accessibility feature called Sticky Keys that can cause this issue.
  3. Keyboard Software Issues: Problems with your keyboard's drivers or software settings can lead to all-caps typing.
  4. Hardware Malfunction: In rare cases, a hardware issue with the keyboard might be the culprit.

Step-by-Step Solutions

1. Check Caps Lock Key

  • Toggle Caps Lock: Press the Caps Lock key and see if that resolves the issue.
  • Indicator Light: Most keyboards have an indicator light for Caps Lock. Ensure it's not lit.

2. Disable Sticky Keys

  • Access Ease of Access Settings: Press Windows Key + I to open Settings, then go to Ease of Access (or Accessibility in some versions).
  • Keyboard Settings: Navigate to the Keyboard section.
  • Turn Off Sticky Keys: Ensure the toggle for Sticky Keys is turned off.

3. Restart Your Computer

  • Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary software glitches causing the issue.

4. Update or Reinstall Keyboard Drivers

  • Device Manager: Open Device Manager by right-clicking on the Start menu and selecting it.
  • Keyboard Drivers: Find ‘Keyboards’ in the list, right-click on your keyboard, and choose ‘Update driver’. If that doesn’t work, you can try ‘Uninstall device’. After uninstalling, restart your computer to automatically reinstall the driver.

5. Check Keyboard Settings in Control Panel

  • Open Control Panel: Search for Control Panel in the Start menu and open it.
  • Language and Region: Navigate to ‘Clock, Language, and Region’ and then to ‘Language’ or ‘Region and Language’ settings.
  • Keyboard Layout: Ensure that the correct keyboard layout is selected. An incorrect layout can sometimes cause typing issues.

6. Clean Your Keyboard

  • Physical Obstruction: If a physical obstruction is causing the Caps Lock key to stick, carefully clean your keyboard.

7. External Keyboard Test (for Laptops)

  • If you’re using a laptop, try connecting an external keyboard and see if the issue persists. If the external keyboard works fine, the problem might be with your laptop’s keyboard.

8. Seek Professional Help

  • If none of the above solutions work, it might be a more serious hardware issue. Consider taking your device to a professional for repair.

Preventive Measures

  • Regular Cleaning: Regularly clean your keyboard to prevent keys from sticking.
  • Keyboard Shortcuts Awareness: Be aware of keyboard shortcuts that might enable features like Sticky Keys.
  • Regular Updates: Keep your Windows OS and drivers up to date to avoid compatibility issues.

Conclusion

Typing in all caps can be a minor yet irritating problem. The solutions range from simple checks like the Caps Lock key to more complex steps like updating drivers. By following these steps, you should be able to diagnose and fix the issue effectively. If the problem persists, it may be time to consult a professional or consider a keyboard replacement. Remember, regular maintenance and being aware of your keyboard's features can prevent many of these issues.