Fix: Numeric Keypad Not Working in Windows 10

When it comes to typing numbers into a computer, nothing beats the practicality, usability and comfort offered by the dedicated numeric keypad that is found on all standard computer keyboards. Almost all computer users prefer typing numbers into their computers using the dedicated numeric keypad as opposed to the row of numbers found atop the alphabets on a QWERTY computer keyboard. However, unfortunately, some Windows 10 users are experiencing an issue which renders the dedicated numeric keypads on their computer keyboard unusable.

There is no concrete evidence as to what causes this issue – some speculate that this problem is caused by Windows 10 disabling the keyboard, whereas others argue that this is simply a bug affecting quite a few Windows 10 users. Thankfully, though, Windows 10 users affected by this issue have had success in fixing it using a variety of different methods, the most effective of which are the following:

Method 1: Enable the numeric keypad

If you are experiencing this problem because Windows 10 is forcefully disabling the dedicated numeric keypad on your keyboard, enabling it should fix the problem. In order to do so, you need to:

If the Num Lock is turned on, press the Num Lock key to turn it off.

Once the Num Lock is off, press and hold it for about 5 seconds, after which you can let it go.

Doing so will forcefully enable to dedicated numeric keypad, hopefully resolving this issue and allowing you to regain its use.

Pro Tip: If the method listed and described doesn’t work, open the Start Menu, click on Control Panel, click on Ease of Access Center (or Ease of Access > Ease of Access Center in case your Control Panel is in Category View), click on Make the keyboard easier to use, uncheck the checkbox beside the Turn on Toggle Keys by holding down the NUM LOCK key for 5 seconds option to disable it, click on Apply, click on OK, close the Ease of Access Center, repeat the method listed and described above and then check to see if that fixes the problem.

Method 2: Disable the “Use numeric keypad to move mouse” option

If Method 1 doesn’t work, you can also try and fix this issue by disabling the “Use numeric keypad to move mouse around the screen” option in the Ease of Access section of the Settings menu. To do so, you need to:

Open the Start Menu.

Click on Settings.

Click on Ease of Access.

Click on Mouse in the left pane.

In the right pane, under Mouse keys, make sure that the Use numeric keypad to move mouse around the screen option it turned off.

Exit the utility and check to see whether or not the problem has been fixed.